Unlocking Relief: Neck Exercises and Upper Cervical Care for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Are you exhausted from the relentless battle with facial pain? You might be grappling with trigeminal neuralgia (TN). TN, a condition that causes facial pain in a broad spectrum, is often a complex puzzle to diagnose. It's not uncommon for it to be mistaken for other conditions that share similar symptoms. The good news, however, is that relief might be closer than you think. 

This article delves into the different disorders that could be mistaken for trigeminal neuralgia. 

We’ll also differentiate these pain disorders before moving on to discuss the powerful combination of supportive neck exercises and upper cervical care as a medication-free alternative to alleviate the pain of TN and provide lasting relief. 

What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN), also known as tic douloureux, is a chronic pain disorder that can severely disrupt the quality of life. This disorder affects the trigeminal nerve, which is the main sensory nerve that provides feeling and nerve signaling to parts of the head and face. TN attacks cause sudden and excruciating pain that typically occurs only on one side of the face.

What Conditions Are Similar to Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Several known conditions can cause painful sensations on your face and the surrounding regions, making getting a TN diagnosis difficult. These are some of the more common conditions with symptoms similar to trigeminal neuralgia: 

Dental Pains

Dental issues such as decay, cavities, and mouth ulcers can cause jaw or mouth pain. While these pains may resemble TN, dental pain often subsides after eating cold foods like ice cream, whereas cold foods tend to worsen trigeminal neuralgia pain. 

Headaches and Migraines

Migraines and headaches can both be accompanied by facial pain. However, most people suffering from these conditions can still smile and eat normally (if they choose), whereas for TN sufferers, chewing, speaking, or smiling can trigger pangs of sharp pain in the face.

Sinusitis and Sinus Ailments

Sinusitis, infections, or other relevant health conditions often involve inflammation, which can cause pain and tenderness, resembling a trigeminal neuralgia episode. However, the main difference is that these aches usually go away with painkillers or anti-inflammatory medications. 

Temporomandibular Joint Disorders (TMJD)

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), located just below each ear, connects the upper and lower jaws, facilitating the opening and closing of the mouth. Pain in this region can inhibit eating, speaking, and yawning. TMJ pains are similar to TN pains since they may radiate from the jaw to the rest of the face and neck region.

Myofascial Pain Dysfunction Syndrome (MDPS)

MDPS refers to muscle pain in the face. MDPS is usually caused by fatigue or overuse of muscles in the mouth region. Like trigeminal neuralgia, myofascial pain dysfunction syndrome causes pain in the lower region of the face. However, MDPS is muscle pain, and TN is nerve pain. 

Glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN)

Irritation of the glossopharyngeal nerve, located behind the ears above the jaw, can result in glossopharyngeal neuralgia. This condition's symptoms include stinging pains near the tonsils with remissions in between.

What Makes Trigeminal Neuralgia Different?

What sets TN apart from the conditions listed above is both the cause and the extent of the pain. The cause of TN is an irritation of the trigeminal neuralgia nerve. The trigeminal nerve sits behind the face and is responsible for nearly all of the sensations we feel on our faces. When this nerve becomes irritated or damaged, messages between the face and the brain become disrupted. This disruption of signals can manifest as facial pain that can intensify when the skin is touched or moved.

TN can affect many aspects of the sufferer's life, causing excruciating pain during everyday activities such as eating and drinking, talking, yawning, and smiling. For people with TN, talking becomes an excessively challenging part of their lives, with many opting to write or learn sign language as a way to cope with their disorder. People with TN often experience difficulty in expressing emotions on their faces as they are unable to laugh, frown, grin, or even cry without aggravating the pain they already feel.

How Can I Cope with Trigeminal Neuralgia?

For those experiencing TN who are looking for nonsurgical or drug-free alternatives, there are a few ways that you can help to alleviate facial pain:

Heat Things Up

TN usually affects one part of the face. Placing a hot compress or a warm towel on the affected area can help relax the muscles and reduce or relieve pain.

Avoid Your Triggers

Muscle movements are the primary triggers for TN. Other people report experiencing debilitating pain when exposed to the cold, and some find that stress triggers their condition. Use a journal to track your symptoms and identify your triggers so they can be avoided whenever possible. 

Neck Exercises for Trigeminal Neuralgia

Incorporating gentle neck exercises may help reduce pain and improve flexibility for individuals experiencing TN. Before beginning any exercise routine, consult a professional, and always listen to your body. Stop immediately if any exercise causes pain or discomfort. 

Head Tilts:

Gently tilt your head to one side, bringing your ear toward your shoulder. Hold for 5-10 seconds. Repeat on the other side. Repeat this exercise for 10 repetitions.

Head Rotations:

Slowly turn your head to one side, looking over your shoulder, and hold for 5-10 seconds. Repeat on the other side. Repeat this exercise for 10 repetitions.

Chin Tuck:

Slowly tuck your chin towards your chest, gently stretching the back of your neck. Hold for 5-10 seconds and repeat. Repeat this exercise for 5-10 repetitions.

Shoulder Rolls:

Roll your shoulders up, back, and down in a circular motion, focusing on relaxing the neck and shoulder muscles. Repeat this exercise for 10 repetitions.

Shoulder Shrugs:

Shrug your shoulders up towards your ears and then gently lower them, focusing on relaxing the upper neck muscles. Repeat this exercise for 10 repetitions.

Head Flexion:

Sit upright with your feet flat on the floor. Slowly tilt your head down, bringing your chin to your chest. Hold for 5 seconds, then relax. Repeat this exercise for 10 repetitions.

By focusing on strengthening and mobilizing the neck muscles, you can help reduce tension, giving your face some relief. However, it is essential to keep your shoulders relaxed when performing these exercises. 

Upper Cervical Care: An Alternative Approach to Alleviating Trigeminal Neuralgia 

Upper Cervical Chiropractic care, which focuses on the upper neck and its relationship to the brainstem and nerves, offers great promise as a potential drug-free treatment for TN. The trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation to the face, originates in the brainstem, which is connected to the Upper Cervical spine (vertebrae C1 and C2). Misalignments in this area of the spine can put pressure on the trigeminal nerve and its pathways, potentially contributing to or exacerbating TN symptoms. By correcting these misalignments, Upper Cervical Care can help relieve nerve compression, restore brain-body communication, and ensure proper alignment of the upper cervical spine.

Suffering from the excruciating pain of trigeminal neuralgia can feel like being trapped in a relentless cycle of agony. If you’ve been searching for a holistic, non-invasive, drug-free solution to TN pain, you could be just a phone call away from finding it. As the only Durango Chiropractors specializing in Upper Cervical Care, doctors Tim and Danielle of Atlas Specific are here to help. Call us today at 970.259.6803, visit our Durango office, or click the link below to schedule a free consultation.

Notice of Disclaimer:

We are doctors of upper cervical chiropractic, but we are NOT necessarily YOUR doctors. All content and information on this website is for informational and educational purposes only, does not constitute medical advice, and reading or interacting with this site does not establish any form of patient-doctor relationship. Although we strive to provide accurate information, the information presented here is not intended as a substitute for any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Always consult a professional in your particular area of need before making medical decisions.