Natural Relief for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Medical Options

There are a collection of conditions known as Cranial Nerve Compressive Syndromes such as Trigeminal Neuralgia, Bell’s Palsy, Hemifacial spasm and others.  These conditions are among the most devastating of all health conditions both in pain and social impact.

The medical approaches to these conditions are extremely invasive, including botox injections.  Botox, or Botulinum toxin as it is known in the scientific community, is a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum.

Another possibility for patients suffering from these types of conditions is a type of brain surgery called Microvascular decompression it is a neurosurgical procedure that can have serious complications including death, stroke, hearing loss and facial weakness.  The surgery itself can cost as much as $70,000.

The Upper Cervical Option

Natural relief for trigeminal neuralgia and other conditions is possible, if a person has a history of head or neck trauma.

Dr. Michael Burcon an upper cervical chiropractor and researcher from Michigan, has done some incredible research on the upper cervical spine. He has determined that over 90% of patients who have been diagnosed with these types of conditions have suffered a head or neck trauma usually whiplash an average of 15 years prior.

Here’s an example from his research: A 57 year old female presented with right sided trigeminal neuralgia (TN) of two years duration. TN pain was helped by medication and exacerbated by exposure to cold.  Secondary complaints included high blood pressure, hypothyroidism, diminished hearing in left ear, neck pain, bilateral shoulder pain, right shin numbness and allergies.  Prescriptions included Gabapentin for trigeminal neuralgia 900 mg 3xs/day (2700 total with 3600 being maximum prescribed)

History included being knocked unconscious in a fall when ten years old, significant fall while skiing thirteen years prior and recent fall onto the sidewalk.

One week after specific her first upper cervical adjustment TN pain diminished dramatically in frequency and intensity. After discussing the improvement with her neurologist, she started cutting back on her Gabapentin dosage. After eight weeks, the patient was completely off the medication and pain free. Additionally, she reduced her high blood pressure medication by fifty percent. After two years of maintenance care, she is still pain free without medication, even after major dental work.

Dr. Burcon concludes this case study by stating “Although a case study is limited in its ability to provide conclusions, this study is a typical representation of over three hundred cases researched at Burcon Chiropractic over the past ten years, where the same protocol is used for all one sided brain stem disorders, including Bell’s palsy, migraine headaches, Meniere’s syndrome, Trigeminal neuralgia, multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.”

If you’ve been diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, Bell’s palsy, Ménière’s disease or a similar condition, an upper neck evaluation is a logical next step.

Dr. Lauren Millman of Suwanee Spine and Wellness is an Upper Cervical Chiropractor who has helped many people find natural relief from migraine headaches in Suwanee, Georgia. Her upper cervical clinic also serves the communities of John’s Creek, Sugar Hill, Buford and Duluth. She is uniquely trained to correct problems in the upper cervical spine (upper neck). This vital area is intimately connected to the central nervous system and problems in this area have been shown to be an underlying cause of a variety of different health problems, including migraines, fibromyalgia, trigeminal neuralgia, high blood pressure and irritable bowel syndrome. More information can be found on her website at http://www.suwaneespine.com

Image courtesy of Michael Marcol from www.freedigitalphotos.net