Trigeminal Neuralgia (Tic Douloureax)

This is a condition affecting the 5th cranial (trigeminal) nerve resulting in a severe, debilitating facial pain. The pain can be so intense that chronic sufferers have at times committed suicide.

Parkinson’s Disease, Meniere’s Syndrome, Trigeminal Neuralgia and Bell’s Palsy: One Cause, One Correction. Burcon, MT, Dynamic Chiropractic, May 19, 2003 pp. 34, 41-44, 48.

The author found the same spinal subluxation (C-1 or atlas posteriority) “causing the head to project forward” and eliminating the cervical curve in the following patients: 16 Meniere’s syndrome, two Parkinson’s disease, two Trigeminal neuralgia and two Bell’s Palsy. The author hypothesizes that the atlas subluxation interfered with the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) causing excessive pressure in the brain and affecting midbrain function. This subluxation appears to be associated with cervical trauma.

Case histories of a sample of patients are given.

The author writes: “When the atlas returns to [normal position], the spinal cord relaxes…All 22 patients improved dramatically after one or two adjustments under cervical specific chiropractic care. ”

Cervical spine involvement in trigeminal neuralgia: a chiropractic model. Hinson R. The philosophy, art and science of chiropractic. Lisbon 2000 Symposium proceedings. Pp. 64-68. Pub by the Foundation for the advancement of chiropractic tenets and science, ICA, Arlington, Virginia.

From the abstract:

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) the most common pain disorder of the face and one of the most painful afflictions known affects one or more branches of the 5th cranial nerve and has a reported annual incidence of 4.3 per 100,000….The author is aware of several cases in which relief from severe trigeminal pain has been achieved as an apparent result of chiropractic adjustment of the upper cervical spine.

Manipulative treatment of 12 cases of cervical spondylosis with trigeminal neuralgia. Zhi Xiang S, Guo Liang C. J Trad Chinese Medicine 1982; 2(2):115-8.

Twelve cases of trigeminal neuralgia were treated with manipulation to the cervical spine (neck) primarily to segments C3 and C4. Complete recovery from symptoms was reported in eight, partial recovery in two and no improvement was reported in two cases.


Copyright 2004 Koren Publications, Inc. & Tedd Koren, D.C.