Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition characterized by searing pain shooting through your face. These episodes only last a few seconds, but the pain is severe. Sometimes it can occur when moving your face, other times when doing nothing at all. Most often attacks become more severe and frequent over time. Trigeminal neuralgia can often be managed with medication.
Alternative Medicine
According to the Mayo Clinic at mayoclinic.com, very few clinical trials have been completed on alternate therapies for trigeminal neuralgia. Even though there is limited evidence to support alternative treatments, some people still seek them out if they do not want to pay for or take medication. It is important that you talk with your doctor before undergoing any sort of alternate treatment as it may interfere with drugs you are taking or have unwanted side effects.
Acupuncture and Myofascial Release
Some people try acupuncture for relief from trigeminal neuralgia. The premise behind acupuncture is that energy flows throughout your body but when it becomes blocked, it results in disorders and pain. Acupuncturists insert fine needles into certain areas of the body to free up energy. Another technique, Myofascial Release, is a form of massage where tension is released between connective tissue and nerves. This method relieves inflammation and often helps trigeminal neuralgia pain since it is thought to come from nerve entrapment.
Nutritional Changes
According to the Facial Pain Association at www.fpa-support.org, taking essential fatty acids, like omega-3 found in flaxseed and fish oils, help control the inflammation that causes trigeminal neuralgia and that the antioxidants in green tea can help too. Processed sugars and gluten can also irritate the condition. A large number of people who have celiac disease--an intolerance to gluten--also have trigeminal neuralgia. To avoid gluten, stay away from products that contain wheat, rye and barley.
Advanced Strain and Counterstrain
Another therapy, Advanced Strain and Counterstrain, works under the idea that trigeminal neuralgia stems from improper blood flow to the face. This technique is a form of massage where the practitioner will put you in various positions to help stimulate blood flow. These positions are thought to lower tension in the walls of your blood vessels, allowing for the blood to flow more easily.
Tags: blood flow, trigeminal neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, Advanced Strain, Advanced Strain Counterstrain, form massage