Upper Cervical and Trigeminal Neuralgia

Upper Cervical Treatment and Trigeminal Neuralgia

Patient Stories - Upper Cervical Treatment and Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia, also known as tic douloureux, is sometimes described as the most excruciating pain known to humanity. The pain typically involves the lower face and jaw, although sometimes it affects the area around the nose and above the eye. This intense, stabbing, electric shock-like pain is caused by irritation of the 5th cranial nerve, the trigeminal nerve, which sends branches to the forehead, cheek and lower jaw. It usually is limited to one side of the face.

There is a portion of this nerve, known as the Trigeminal Cervical Nucleus, that is located in the upper cervical region of the spinal cord inside, the C1 and C2 vertebra.

This portion of the nerve has a primary function of relaying pain to the face.

Although the pain of Trigeminal Neuralgia can mimic those of dental problems and are often misdiagnosed this way, the majority of cases are thought to be linked to one of two things:

A blood vessel pressing against the trigeminal nerve, also known as vascular compression – This can be diagnosed on MRI and can possibly lead to surgery
As recent research shows us, pressure on the spinal cord in the region of the upper neck can compress the Trigeminal Cervical nucleus and also cause this intense facial pain

Oftentimes, pressure on the spinal cord will be due to a misalignment in the upper cervical/neck region. This could explain why upper cervical chiropractors have had a lot of success helping patients with this debilitating condition.

How Our Doctors Can Help

Our doctors at Pierce Upper Cervical uses a revolutionary healthcare procedure that focuses on the Upper Cervical Spine. This procedure identifies subtle misalignments of the top vertebrae in the neck and corrects them using a light-force instrument adjustment.

By correcting the muscular/nerve imbalance at the source, we see a high success rate in treating patients suffering from Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Upper Cervical Treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia in Atlanta

I had been suffering from recurring flares of Trigeminal Neuralgia for almost a decade. Dentists, doctors, neurologists, and facial-pain specialist had been able to do absolutely nothing. Each flare was worse than the last, and this last flare came on never receded. Then a friend suggested Upper Cervical chiropractic. I saw that the website suggested it can sometimes help with Trigeminal Neuralgia. The doctor immediately noticed things on my scan that all previous doctors had not. I was almost afraid to have hope, but the care they provided me began to drive away the pain. The pain that I was experiencing steadily receded. Within 6 weeks, it was diminished almost entirely.

Joe F.

Dr Culig is always ready to help! I came to him with some pretty severe pain in the left side of my face. I am a Plumber of 30+ years, it has taken its toll on my neck!! After a run of X-rays, it was time to get to it. He has helped relieve the pressure in my face, making life a little more comfortable to go thru. Working on my neck each time, I can see the progress, I don’t always understand it, but he is always will to make sure he explains. If you are looking for a partner to help relieve your pain, he is the call to make! Make a change, it is worth it!

Bill S.

After experiencing facial pressure, tongue numbness and shooting pains on the left side of my face for almost 9 months I started seeing Dr. Culig. I’m only a few months in and already experiencing relief from the symptoms. The approach to care is unlike any other doctor that I have visited. They take their time with you and really look to find the root cause of your problem. I love his individualized approach to care!