If you recently found out that trigeminal neuralgia is almost synonymous with facial pain, you might be extra worried about any ache on your face. Before you entertain such worrisome thoughts, you need to know that some medical conditions share the same symptoms. Learning from our Alabang chiropractor for trigeminal neuralgia what it is and what it isn’t might help lessen your concerns.
What Kind of Pain Is This?
Trigeminal neuralgia is a kind of facial pain. It affects the trigeminal nerve, which extends to the eyes, nose, and mouth. The trigeminal nerve transmits sensations from these areas to the brain. Anything that presses against this nerve can trigger trigeminal neuralgia. The pain might begin as mild and dull. However, it can quickly progress and intensify without warning.
What Activities Are Affected?
If you would like to know how disruptive this kind of facial pain is, here is a list of activities that will set off this pain:
-
Chatting
Some people think that talking is tiresome. Well, this is the case with someone diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia. Talking in any form is not only tiring but can also be excruciating. Those afflicted with this condition switch to sign language or even texting to communicate.
-
Smiling
Stretching those facial muscles and showing off those pearly whites might not be reason enough to smile when pain strikes. Not only is smiling difficult now but also frowning, grinning, and all the other facial expressions.
-
Eating and Drinking
If you think you can communicate using other means and express yourself in different ways, then that’s great. However, finding another way to eat and drink might be challenging. Inserting a food tube down your throat is an option, but not many people might pursue this.
What Conditions Are Similar to Trigeminal Neuralgia?
Our Alabang chiropractor for trigeminal neuralgia, Miguel P. Flores, DC, shared different kinds of facial pain. Not all aches on our faces lead to trigeminal neuralgia—a piece of information that is comforting.
Let’s take a look at these conditions which display similar symptoms:
1. Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome (MDPS)
MDPS is a kind of facial pain because it involves the muscle used for chewing. The ache happens as a result of overworked muscles used primarily for mastication or chewing. When a person has a teeth-grinding issue, it can lead to muscle fatigue in the form of Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome. Localized pain happens in the mandibular or jawbone area.
2. Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN)
GPN involves the glossopharyngeal nerve, which is responsible for a person’s gag reaction. Characterized by its intermittent pain, the sharp pain is usually near the tonsils.
3. Dental pain
Toothaches due to decay or cavity can trigger dental pain. Depending on the extent, the discomfort can be momentary, or it can also linger. Another thing that can feel like dental pain is the immediate consumption of frozen products. The pain usually goes away after eating.
4. Sinus infections (sinusitis)
In the event of an illness, expect inflammation or swelling in your sinuses. The surrounding area feels tender and painful. It can even trigger a headache. Once treatment takes care of the infection, the pain gradually subsides and eventually goes away.
5. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) syndrome
The TMJ disorder is similar to MDPS in the sense that it can be due to teeth grinding. They differ in that the MDPS affects the muscles necessary for chewing. The TMJ affects the temporomandibular joint, which is responsible for jaw movements like opening and closing. The pain set off by TMJ syndrome can radiate to the head and even to the neck’s back. The pain coverage is probably why some people think they have trigeminal neuralgia.
6. Migraines and headaches
Although these two are different conditions, they share similar symptoms, which involve pain around the head. The ache can range from mild to severe and may persist for a few days in the case of migraines. Migraines and headaches by themselves are different from trigeminal neuralgia because you can still afford to smile if needed. Doing so does not necessarily make your headache worse. With trigeminal neuralgia, you will regret the action right away.
How Should I Approach Facial Pain?
As you now know, not all facial pain is trigeminal neuralgia. When seeking care, it is crucial to identify what you have to get the right attention. Miguel P. Flores, DC, our Alabang chiropractor for trigeminal neuralgia, once shared that some conditions that involve facial pain are challenging to diagnose correctly.
If you are coping with persistent and pervasive discomfort on your face, start tracking the recurrence instances and note your specific experiences. Identify which areas feel painful when touched. When you disclose these details to your healthcare professional, you are helping them diagnose your condition.
Is There Relief from Trigeminal Neuralgia?
If you would like to smile again without experiencing pain, then you might consider getting chiropractic care. Here at N8 Upper Cervical Chiropractic, Miguel P. Flores, DC, is qualified to conduct a full assessment to identify spinal misalignments. He can also look into the extent of its impact and determine if misaligned bones in your neck are causing trigeminal neuralgia.
Our Alabang team will design a customized chiropractic program to restore your body’s alignment. We only use the latest technology to achieve cervical realignment. Our team adopts a precise and gentle strategy to lead your body to experience pain relief naturally.
If you suspect you have facial pain, see our Alabang chiropractor for trigeminal neuralgia. Visit N8 Upper Cervical Chiropractic for your initial evaluation. Our office is at G/F Unit C6-C7 The Levels, Pacific Rim corner Commerce Avenue, Filinvest City in Alabang. You may set an appointment via our contact form.
About the Author
