Trigeminal Neuralgia and the Upper Cervical Spine (C1 and C2) a Glimmer of Hope

Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia - sometimes referred to as tic douloureux - has been described as the most excruciating pain known to humanity. The trigeminal nerve is the largest of the cranial nerves. This nerve mainly innervates the ears, nose, throat and the autonomic nervous system (these are the nerves that control automatic functions of your body, such as your heart rate, breathing, digestive system, etc.).

What Is Trigeminal Neuralgia

The cranial nerves originate in the brainstem, this is the area of the spine that is surrounded and protected by the upper-cervical spine (occiput, atlas and axis).

The trigeminal nerve innovates the muscles used to chew (the muscles of mastication) and the skin over the front of the face as seen in the picture.

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic condition that has acute exacerbations that comes from pressure on this nerve and causes shooting pain in the jaw that is described as excruciating and debilitating. This pain usually affects one side of the face but can effect both, usually not both at the same time. The pain usually lasts from a few seconds to a couple of minutes but can last longer in severe cases.

What causes Trigeminal Neuralgia 

The attacks usually start unexpectedly or can be triggered by something that shouldn't cause the level of pain that it does. Some of these triggers include; talking, smiling, chewing, brushing your teeth, washing your face, a light touch, shaving or putting on make-up, swallowing, kissing, a cool breeze or air conditioning, head movements, vibrations, such as walking or travelling in a car.

Trigeminal Neuralgia and the Upper Cervical Spine