Trigeminal Neuralgia Areas

Trigeminal Neuralgia Pain Relief in Aurora, CO

What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a rare yet severe head pain condition caused by irritation or inflammation of the trigeminal nerve in the upper spine.


While traditional treatments include anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers, upper cervical chiropractic can target the root cause of TN. We proudly serve the Aurora area with these specialized treatments.


Dr. Ty Carzoli is the best chiropractor in Colorado for trigeminal neuralgia.  Schedule an appointment with Denver Upper Cervical Chiropractor today! We reserve Fridays for traveling patients.

Effective Treatments for Trigeminal Neuralgia


Also known as tic douloureux, TN can be treated through precise chiropractic care, targeted medications, and surgery in extreme cases. Lifestyle changes can also help prevent flare-ups or reduce the severity of TN.


Upper Cervical Chiropractic


Upper cervical chiropractic targets the upper two vertebrae of the spine: the atlas (C1) and the axis (C2). Aligning these vertebrae reduces spinal cord tension, aiding in the management of chronic pain syndromes like trigeminal neuralgia.


Chiropractic care can decrease inflammation impacting the trigeminal nerve. Relieving pressure on the nerve often leads to pain relief, helping to resolve face and neck pain and restoring your quality of life.


If upper cervical chiropractic doesn't resolve your issue, we can refer you to a surgeon as a last resort, since surgery severs nerves rather than addressing the root cause. 

Conventional Treatments


  • Medication


    Carbamazepine, an anticonvulsant, is the conventional first-line treatment for TN, despite its side effects and risks for individuals of Asian descent.


    Anti-inflammatories help reduce inflammation that may cause trigeminal irritation but come with adverse effects like indigestion, headaches, and kidney issues. NSAIDs may lose their effectiveness over time.


    Opioids can alleviate pain symptoms but do not address the underlying cause of trigeminal pain. Botox injections can dull facial pain but do not treat the root cause.


    Lifestyle Changes


    Certain lifestyle changes can prevent TN flare-ups, such as avoiding touching your face. Simple changes include:

    • Chewing on one side of your mouth
    • Gently brushing your teeth
    • Avoiding windy days
    • An anti-inflammatory diet, avoiding processed and hot foods, and consuming healthy fats and leafy greens can also help. 

    Many chiropractors offer dietary advice to support holistic health.


    Surgery


    Various surgical treatments can reduce TN pain, typically by severing the nerve to prevent pain signals from reaching the brain, though the underlying cause remains unaddressed.

    • Microvascular decompression: A neurosurgeon relocates or removes blood vessels irritating the trigeminal nerve. Potential side effects include facial numbness, reduced hearing, or a stroke in rare cases.
    • Rhizotomy: This surgery destroys trigeminal nerve fibers to prevent pain signals via glycerol injection, balloon compression, or radiofrequency ablation.
    • Stereotactic radiosurgery: Also known as gamma knife radiation, this outpatient option uses gamma rays to damage the trigeminal nerve.
    • Peripheral nerve stimulation: Electrodes are placed along peripheral nerves to regulate pain signals.

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What Causes Trigeminal Neuralgia?


The root cause of trigeminal neuralgia is irritation or inflammation of the trigeminal nerve — the fifth cranial nerve and the largest of the twelve. 

There are several factors that may cause irritation or inflammation of the trigeminal nerve:


  • Spinal misalignment compressing the nerve
  • Blood vessel abnormalities
  • Tumor pressing into the nerve
  • Severe systemic inflammation
  • Surgery injury
  • Facial injury
  • Neck injury
  • Brain lesion
  • Stroke


The following activities cause trigeminal neuralgia flare-ups:


  • Touching your face
  • Face injury
  • Eating, drinking
  • Speaking
  • Smiling
  • Brushing your teeth, flossing
  • Washing your face
  • Strong wind against your cheek

Diagnosing Trigeminal Neuralgia


Your doctor will diagnose your trigeminal neuralgia with a physical examination, a medical history, and ruling out other conditions. In some cases, imaging tests like an MRI may be used.


The physical examination may include pressing against parts of your face to identify the origin of your pain.

Your healthcare provider will ask about your medical history, family history, and the symptoms you’ve been experiencing. 

What are the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia? Here are the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia that your doctor may look for:


  • Severe, stabbing pain on one side of the face
  • Numbness, burning, or tingling around the cheek or jaw
  • Sudden pain after chewing, talking, smiling, or touching your face
  • Pain duration of a few seconds to several minutes

Below are the common conditions which a doctor may rule out to help diagnose trigeminal neuralgia:


  • Dental conditions
  • Occipital neuralgia
  • Cluster headaches
  • Thunderclap headaches
  • Migraines
  • Sinusitis
  • Ear infection
  • TMJ disorder
  • Multiple sclerosis (MS)
  • Post-herpetic shingles
  • Brain tumor

If you’re looking for a medical professional to diagnose your trigeminal neuralgia in Colorado without questioning your own experiences, Dr. Ty Carzoli of Denver Upper Cervical Chiropractic listens to and respects his patients.


Read Dr. Ty’s blog posts about trigeminal neuralgia:


FAQs

  • How long does trigeminal neuralgia last?

    Trigeminal neuralgia flare-ups typically last up to 2 minutes. In severe cases, episodes of trigeminal neuralgia pain may last for hours, days, weeks, or months. TN may go into remission, disappearing completely for months or years.

  • Will the trigeminal nerve repair itself?

    An inflamed trigeminal nerve may repair itself with time, but it’s wise to seek medical attention. Chiropractic care may address the underlying cause of TN pain with pain-free spine adjustments. Pharmaceuticals or even surgery may be necessary to deaden the pain in rare cases.

  • Does trigeminal neuralgia get worse over time?

    If left untreated, trigeminal neuralgia may get progressively worse, with attacks lasting longer and feeling more painful. Medication will likely be less effective as trigeminal neuralgia worsens.

  • Can stress cause trigeminal neuralgia?

    Stress can aggravate trigeminal neuralgia although it isn’t a direct cause. Chronic stress contributes to systemic inflammation, which may impact your trigeminal nerve health. Stress has been associated with both blocking pain and worsening pain.

  • Are there foods or diets that can reverse or lessen the pain of trigeminal neuralgia?

    An anti-inflammatory diet should decrease your risk of trigeminal nerve pain. On an anti-inflammatory diet plan, eat leafy greens, fatty fish, nuts, tomatoes, and fruits that are high in antioxidants.


    Here are some inflammatory foods that you should avoid to prevent trigeminal pain:

    • Spicy foods
    • Added sugar
    • Saturated fats
    • Processed foods
    • Caffeine (found in coffee, soda, chocolate, etc.)

  • What is the trigeminal nerve?

    The trigeminal nerve is the 5th cranial nerve. Divided into 3 primary branches, its main function is sensing pain, touch, and temperature on your face. It is the largest of the 12 cranial nerves.

  • What is the newest treatment for trigeminal neuralgia?

    Instead of deadening the pain by severing nerves, consider chiropractic care to treat the underlying cause without surgery. More and more people like you are discovering chiropractic care for trigeminal neuralgia treatment.

Book an Appointment Today!


Visit Us at Denver Upper Cervical Chiropractic


Dr. Ty Carzoli provides exceptional care for trigeminal neuralgia, focusing on treating the underlying cause without surgery. Through precise chiropractic adjustments, comprehensive patient education, and individualized treatment plans, we aim to provide long-lasting relief for Aurora residents.


Instead of severing nerves to deaden the pain, consider the benefits of chiropractic care. Many patients in Aurora discover effective TN treatment with our specialized approach.


Call us today to schedule your appointment! Our accommodating office hours include Fridays for out-of-town patients, ensuring prompt care.


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