Causes

In most cases, trigeminal neuralgia is triggered by a blood vessel that is pressed on the trigeminal nerve near the brain stem. As a result of constant rubbing and compression, the protective coating of the nerve begins wearing away. The intense pain may be an isolated incidence or a continuous occurrence.

Symptoms

Symptoms typically include stabbing pain to one side of the face. The pain tends to be described as a severe electric shock, made worse by tough chewing or exposure to cold. Episodes can last for days, weeks, or months. Patients tend to feel pain in areas supplied by the trigeminal nerve, including cheek, jaw, gums, teeth, lips, eyes, and forehead.

Treatments

At MacKenzie SDI, our pain specialists incorporate a comprehensive pain management treatment plan to help ease suffering while improving your quality of life. Our class IV laser therapy improves nerve function while effectively treating pain. If you suffer from trigeminal neuralgia, contact our experts today to schedule your free consultation.