What is Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia?
Glossopharyngeal neuralgia is a neurological disorder that affects the throat and mouth. This is a painful condition that can make eating and swallowing difficult. The condition becomes progressively worse over time. Traditionally, health care providers treat glossopharyngeal neuralgia by managing symptoms, but recent research shows that upper cervical spine treatment may get to the root of the problem.
Signs and Symptoms of Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia
People suffering from glossopharyngeal neuralgia experience sharp, stabbing pain, or a pain that feels like an electric shock. The pain may affect one side or both sides of the throat, mouth, or occasionally, in the ears. Natural movements such as chewing, swallowing, yawning, talking, laughing, or coughing can trigger the pain.
For some, especially in the early stages of this disorder, the pain may be mild, but it can get quite severe. It may come in short bursts, or as the condition worsens the pain could be constant.
Some patients with glossopharyngeal neuralgia experience a numb tongue, have difficulty swallowing, or may feel as though there is a lump in their throat.
How the Upper Cervical Spine Affects Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia
Recent research suggests that glossopharyngeal neuralgia is caused by irritation to the glossopharyngeal nerve. This nerve runs from the brainstem and goes through the neck and to the throat.
The upper cervical spine begins just below the brainstem. It consists of the top seven vertebrae, which support and protect the part of the spinal cord through which the glossopharyngeal nerve runs. If the upper cervical spine is misaligned, it may cause inflammation or pressure on the nerves, disrupting the signals from the mouth and throat to the brain.
The upper cervical spine is located in a vulnerable place; any jolts or injuries to the head or neck can cause a misalignment.
How Our Glossopharyngeal Neuralgia Treatment Works
Advance Upper Cervical Chiropractic in Walnut Creek, California is the only chiropractic office that utilizes advanced 3D imaging technology to measure and examine the upper cervical spine. This is the only chiropractic office in the entire East Bay area to use this revolutionary diagnostic tool to visualize the upper neck alignment.
Owner Dr. Noah Kaplan is a specialist in the Blair Chiropractic Technique, a modern method that uses low-force pressure in precise locations for optimal spinal adjustments. Dr. Kaplan is Board Certified in the Blair Technique and a member of the Blair Chiropractic Society.
Once the upper cervical spine is properly aligned, patients with glossopharyngeal neuralgia should experience relief from painful symptoms and the body’s natural mechanisms can begin to heal the damage. This is a safe, non-invasive, drug-free way to put a patient with glossopharyngeal neuralgia on the road to recovery.
Don’t suffer needlessly from glossopharyngeal neuralgia; get in touch today to speak with Dr. Kaplan about the health of your upper cervical spine. Located in Walnut Creek, the doctor also services Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore.
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Call us at (925) 357-3080 or click on the button below to schedule an appointment or a free consultation.
