Acupuncture for Trigeminal Neuralgia in Wolverhampton and Bideford

Trigeminal neuralgia can cause some of the most intense facial pain there is, and everyday things like eating, talking or brushing your teeth can become difficult. Acupuncture may help some people as part of their wider care, and I treat it without placing any needles in the face.

I see patients with trigeminal neuralgia at Wednesfield Therapy Centre in Wolverhampton and Hive Health & Well-Being in Bideford, North Devon, alongside the care they receive from their GP, neurologist or dentist.

What is trigeminal neuralgia?

Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition affecting the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain. It usually affects one side of the face.

Common symptoms include:

• Sudden, severe attacks of pain, often described as electric shocks or stabbing

• Pain in the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums, lips or around the eye

• Attacks triggered by light touch, eating, talking, brushing your teeth, shaving or a cold breeze

• Attacks that last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, sometimes coming in clusters

Because the pain is often felt in the teeth or jaw, trigeminal neuralgia is sometimes first mistaken for a dental problem.

If you have new facial pain, or pain with numbness, weakness or changes in your vision or hearing, please see your GP first, so the cause can be properly assessed.

How acupuncture may help

Trigeminal neuralgia is usually diagnosed and managed by a GP or neurologist, often with medication. Some people choose acupuncture alongside this care, and some find it helps them manage their pain. Research is limited, though, and results vary from person to person.

From a Traditional Chinese Medicine perspective, the face is connected through the meridians to points on the arms and legs. Treatment aims to calm the pathways that run through the face, using points well away from the painful area.

Why the needles don’t go in your face

With trigeminal neuralgia, even a light touch on the face can set off an attack, so treatment needs to be as gentle on the face as possible.

I use distal acupuncture, which means the needles are placed away from the painful area, on the arms and legs. Some of the most useful points for treating the face are found there, so nothing needs to touch your face during treatment.

How I treat trigeminal neuralgia

Consultation. Your first appointment starts with a conversation about your symptoms, your diagnosis, what triggers your attacks and any medication you take. I will plan treatment around what you are comfortable with.

Treatment. I place very fine needles at points on your arms and legs, and you rest comfortably while they are in place. Nothing is placed on or near your face.

Alongside your medical care. Acupuncture is used alongside the care from your GP, neurologist or dentist, not instead of it. Please do not stop or change any medication without speaking to your doctor.

You can read more about how a treatment works on my acupuncture page.

Working with dentists and GPs

Many people with trigeminal neuralgia see their dentist first, because the pain can feel like it comes from the teeth. If you are a dentist or GP and would like to refer a patient, please contact me.

If your pain is more of an ache or tension in the jaw muscles, my page on TMJ and jaw pain may be more relevant.

How many sessions will I need?

Every case is different. It depends on how long you have had symptoms, how often attacks happen and how you respond to treatment. I will review your progress at each appointment and talk you through a suggested treatment plan.

Trigeminal neuralgia FAQs

Book trigeminal neuralgia treatment in Wolverhampton or Bideford

If trigeminal neuralgia is affecting your daily life and you’d like to find out whether acupuncture could help, I’d be glad to talk it through. Book a free online consultation, or see my prices.

• Wolverhampton: 01902 288142

• Bideford: 01237 418765