Etiologies of tic douloureux: trigeminal neuralgia

Tic doloreaux, commonly known as trigeminal neuralgia, has bewildered researchers for hundreds of years as to the exact etiology of its pain mechanisms. Due in large part to the intense nature of the tic-like pain, this disease has drawn a lot of attention. Two divergent viewpoints, central verses peripheral, provide insight into possible mechanisms. This paper provides an overview of the different theories postulated as the causative factors so that the practitioner may better be able to diagnosis and treat the syndrome.