Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition that causes debilitating pain around the face. The pain is caused due to damage to the trigeminal nerve, one of the major cranial nerves that are rooted in the brain stem and branches out around the face.
The pain from the trigeminal neuralgia condition is so sudden and severe that people suffering from this condition have a hard time relaxing even when they feel fine because they live in perpetual fear of the next attack. Here are some tips to help you cope with this painful condition.
1) Avoid Your Triggers
People suffering from trigeminal neuralgia will begin to notice patterns. Certain things may trigger a painful attack, such as brushing your teeth, spicy foods, cold beverages, or wind blowing on the face. Once you know what triggers an attack, try to avoid it.
Naturally, this is not always that easy, but the more you learn to work around and avoid the fewer attacks you will have.
2) Be Mindful of Your Overall Health
Trigeminal neuralgia may be painful, but it isn’t life-threatening. Don’t let your frustration and fears get in the way of taking care of yourself. Stick to a healthy way of eating, get regular exercise, and make sure to get adequate sleep.
Keep yourself physically and mentally healthy; this will keep your spirits up and avoid other unnecessary health issues.
3) Seek Out a Good Support System
When you suffer from chronic illness and repeated attacks of pain, it is important to have a good support network in place. Don’t be afraid to turn to family and friends to get help when your condition makes life difficult. Sometimes, something simple like picking up a carton of milk for you can take a huge weight off of your shoulders. It is also great to have a shoulder to cry on.
If you don’t feel you have a great support system, seek one out. Look for support groups in your local area or online.
4) Don’t Neglect Your Mental Health
As mentioned, a huge issue for trigeminal neuralgia patients is living in fear of the next painful attack. This can cause anxiety, stress, and depression that will further rob you of the joy of life. Counseling, yoga, meditation, journaling, or other wellness practices can help you overcome negative feelings due to your condition and allow you to enjoy the times when you are feeling good.
5) Seek Alternative Health Care Options
While there is no cure for trigeminal neuralgia, there are treatments that may help. Research shows upper cervical care has offered many patients a great option for managing trigeminal neuralgia.
The upper cervical spine is located near the trigeminal nerve, and when vertebrae in this part of the spine are misaligned it may cause compression of nerves or misfired nerve signals that bring on painful attacks. Dr. Noah Kaplan is among the elite upper cervical specialists in Northern California who can help restore proper alignment.
Dr. Kaplan owns Advance Upper Cervical Chiropractic in Walnut Creek and is a board-certified practitioner of the Blair Chiropractic Technique. The Blair technique is a modern technique that takes full advantage of advanced technology in chiropractic care.
Dr. Kaplan’s office is the only one in the East Bay area to use state-of-the-art 3D Cone Beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging tools to calculate spinal misalignments. Once detected, Blair practitioners are specially trained in uniquely gentle techniques to help properly realign the spine and restore wellness.
If trigeminal neuralgia is making life difficult for you, consider a safe, non-invasive, drug-free option to help reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. Contact Dr. Kaplan for an appointment. Located in Walnut Creek, California, Dr. Kaplan also services Pleasant Hill, Concord, Lafayette, Danville, San Ramon, Dublin, Pleasanton, and Livermore.
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