Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 9, 2026
09:35
Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Field Stimulation for Refractory Facial Pain
Published on: May 10, 2017
Trigeminal neuralgia and chiropractic care: a case report
1Graduate Student, Graduate Education and Research Programs Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College, Toronto, Ontario Private Practice, Smiths Falls, Ontario.
The Journal of the Canadian Chiropractic Association
|September 3, 2010
Summary
This case study shows chiropractic care effectively managed a patient with persistent head and neck pain, trigeminal neuralgia, and temporomandibular joint syndrome. Multiple pain sources were identified and treated, leading to significant symptom reduction.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pain Management
- Chiropractic Medicine
Background:
- A 68-year-old woman experienced chronic head and neck pain for over seven years, diagnosed as trigeminal neuralgia post-brain tumor surgery.
- Previous treatments including medication and physical therapy were unsuccessful in alleviating her persistent symptoms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of chiropractic care in managing complex head and neck pain syndromes.
- To explore the potential for multiple pain generators contributing to trigeminal neuralgia symptoms.
Main Methods:
- Chiropractic intervention included ultrasound, manual therapies (manipulation, mobilization), soft tissue techniques, and prescribed home exercises.
- The patient received an initial treatment course followed by 18 months of supportive chiropractic care.
Main Results:
- The patient reported satisfactory improvement in pain levels, with symptoms reducing to minimal at times.
- Multiple pain sources were identified: mechanical/degenerative neck pain, temporomandibular joint syndrome, and trigeminal neuralgia.
- Pain did not return to intractable pre-treatment levels during the follow-up period.
Conclusions:
- Chiropractic care demonstrated a positive role in managing patients with combined mechanical neck pain, temporomandibular joint syndrome, and trigeminal neuralgia.
- This case highlights the importance of identifying and addressing multifactorial pain sources for effective patient outcomes.
- The trigeminocervical nucleus's role in converging sensory input from cervical segments and the trigeminal nerve is relevant to understanding these complex pain conditions.
