NUCCA and Trigeminal Neuralgia
This is a topic that is dear to my heart. Trigenimal Neuralgia or “suicide disease” as it’s better known affects thousands of people every day . My mother Julie being one of those people.
Julie was like anyone with onset TN. She was happy , outgoing, full of life, ambitious and always looking to improve herself and our family.
One summer about four years ago , she started feeling a slight numbing in her face. She went to the doctor to have it checked out . He informed her that it was nothing to be too concerned about and that they would monitor it over the next couple of months. If it got worse they would go on to do some tests.
In a mater of weeks that numbing feeling turned into sharp pains shooting all through her face. Before we knew it my mother had quit her job as a pre school teacher and become house bound. Unable to be in the sun , stand for long periods of time as the pain was so excruciating that she would often fall short of breath.
For 4 years now Julie has been living in pain everyday and it’s heartbreaking , as anyone with the disorder or anyone who knows someone with the disoirder will tell you .
She is begning treatment with a NUCCA chiropractor next week and we are very hopeful.
If you or anyone you know has the diesease or you would like to become educated on it, read below of some helpful information. If you have any questions feel free to call or email us at:
858-847-3333
whatisnucca@gmail.com
www.whatisnucca.com
Description
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN — tic douloureux) is a disorder of the fifth cranial (trigeminal) nerve that causes episodes of intense, stabbing, electric shock-like pain in the areas of the face where the branches of the nerve are distributed – lips, eyes, nose, scalp, forehead, upper jaw, and lower jaw. The disorder most often affects one side of the face, but some patients experience pain at different times on both sides. TN is considered to be one of the most painful afflictions known to medical science.
How NUCCA Upper Cervical Care Relates to Trigeminal Neuralgia
Researchers have determined that TN pain originates from damage not only to the Trigeminal nerve in the face but also from damage to the central Trigeminal system in the upper spinal cord and the ponto-medullary levels in the brainstem.1-5 Therefore, trauma to the head and neck (concussive trauma to the head, neck, or upper back) that results in injury to nerve pathways in the spinal cord and brain stem has been shown in medical literature to be a possible cause of TN.5-15 Following the trauma, facial pain can be triggered immediately or can take months or years to develop.
The purpose of NUCCA upper cervical chiropractic care is to reverse the trauma-induced upper neck injury; thereby reducing irritation to the nerves in the brain stem and spinal cord that can trigger TN. While many TN sufferers recall specific traumas such as head injuries, auto accidents or falls, some do not. An upper cervical examination utilizing Laser-aligned Radiography and Digital Infrared Imaging is necessary in each individual’s case to assess whether an upper cervical injury is present and whether benefit from NUCCA upper cervical care can be achieved.
*TN information courtsey of Dr.Erin Elster
Shayna Macklin
New Patient Coordinator/Marketing Director
