Chronic Pain
Trigeminal Neuralgia
About Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic pain condition affecting the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from the face to the brain. It is characterized by sudden, severe, and episodic facial pain.
Common Symptoms
- Sudden, severe, shooting or jabbing pain in the face
- Pain often described as an electric shock
- Episodes of pain that may last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes
- Pain typically affecting one side of the face
- Pain concentrated in the jaw, cheek, or around the eye
- Attacks that can be triggered by light touch, chewing, talking, or brushing teeth
- Periods of remission followed by relapse
- Burning or aching sensation before or after a pain attack
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia is often based on the patient's description of symptoms, particularly the type of pain, its location, and what triggers it. A neurological examination may be performed to identify the affected areas and rule out other conditions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be used to identify potential causes like a compressed nerve.
Causes
Trigeminal neuralgia is most commonly associated with a blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve as it exits the brainstem. This pressure is thought to wear away the protective sheath (myelin) around the nerve. Less commonly, TN may be caused by other conditions that damage the myelin sheath, such as multiple sclerosis, or by a tumor compressing the nerve.
Treatment Overview
Management strategies for trigeminal neuralgia often begin with medication, typically anticonvulsants, to reduce nerve pain signals. When medications are not effective or cause significant side effects, various surgical procedures may be considered to relieve pressure on the nerve or interrupt pain signals, such as microvascular decompression or brain stereotactic radiosurgery. Some individuals also explore complementary approaches, such as acupuncture or biofeedback, in conjunction with conventional treatments.
Prognosis & Outlook
The prognosis for individuals with trigeminal neuralgia can vary, with many finding relief from pain through medication or surgical interventions. While some individuals experience long periods of remission, the condition can recur. Ongoing management may be necessary for some individuals to control symptoms and maintain their quality of life.
Types & Variants
Type 1 (TN1)
Also called classic trigeminal neuralgia, this type is characterized by intense, sharp, stabbing, or shock-like facial pain that comes and goes in episodes.
Type 2 (TN2)
Also called atypical trigeminal neuralgia, this type involves a more constant, aching, burning, or stabbing pain of lower intensity than Type 1.
What 1 Contributor Has Shared
One contributor described experiencing a wide range of musculoskeletal pain, including hip, back, pelvic, and shoulder pain, as well as foot and wrist pain. They also reported other symptoms like tinnitus, dry eye, ocular migraine, heat sensitivity, anxiety, depression, heart palpitations, intrusive thoughts, disassociation, skin rashes, numbness, post-viral infection symptoms, tooth pain, and burning mouth.
After various medical professionals attributed their symptoms to conditions like arthritis, degenerative disc disease, and spinal stenosis, the contributor self-diagnosed with Tension Myoneural Syndrome (TMS)/Neuroplastic symptoms, believing their structural findings were incidental rather than causal.
“Approaches that were part of my recovery”
As described by story contributors
Learning from the work of Dr. Sarno, Dr. Schubiner, Dr. Hanscom, Dr. Clarke, Dr. Stracks, and Dr. Schechter
Pain neuroscience education
Journaling via Nicole Sachs
Pain reprocessing therapy and somatic tracking via Alan Gordon
Addressing belief and doubt
Learning to feel safe with sensations, thoughts, and emotions
Graded exposure teaching the brain the pain is not dangerous
Visualization & graded motor imagery
Leaning into positive sensations
Regulating the nervous system & Polyvagal theory
Indifference & outcome independence
Self compassion
“Approaches I tried that didn't help me”
As described by story contributors
Supplements
Changing diet to anti inflammatory or keto
Japanese healer
Castor oil
Icing & heat
PT
Chiro
Osteopath
Massage
Acupuncture
Sports medicine doctor with rehabilitation classes
Correcting posture
Common Turning Points
Pivotal moments described by story contributors
Discovering the work of Dr. Sarno, Dr. Schubiner, Dr. Hanscom, Dr. Clarke, Dr. Stracks, and Dr. Schechter
Self-diagnosing with Tension Myoneural Syndrome (TMS) / Neuroplastic symptoms with reassurance from TMS practitioners after ruling out legitimate pathological findings
Key Realizations & “Aha” Moments
Perspectives shared by story contributors
Structural findings from imaging were incidental and not the cause of symptoms
Most chronic pain is neuroplastic in nature, meaning it is very real and physically felt but not necessarily caused by body structures
The brain and nervous system can cause debilitating symptoms without tissue damage or disease
Neuroplastic pain is created and maintained by changes and misfirings in the brain’s neural circuits, with its origin in the nervous system and emotional regulation rather than tissue damage
The brain can 'learn' pain through repeated stress or emotional suppression, creating maladaptive neural pathways—false alarms
Misfiring pain circuits, shaped by emotional states and life stress, cause the brain to perceive pain even when there is no physical cause
Mindbody symptoms—including chronic pain—often result from stress and nervous system dysregulation, suppressed or unprocessed emotions, learned neural pathways in the brain, and an overactive fear response
Support Systems Contributors Mentioned
Types of support described by story contributors
TMS practitioners
Advice from Those Who've Been There
Suggestions shared by story contributors
- “Understand that most chronic pain is neuroplastic in nature, and while very real, it may not be caused by structural damage”
- “Learn about neuroplastic pain and how the brain can 'learn' pain through stress or emotional suppression”
- “Recognize that mindbody symptoms often result from stress, nervous system dysregulation, suppressed emotions, learned neural pathways, and an overactive fear response”
These insights reflect what individual contributors reported about their own experiences. Results vary — what helps one person may not help another. This is not medical advice.
Stories (1)
Real journeys shared by contributors
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