TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Trigeminal Neuralgia is one of the most intense and frustrating pain conditions a person can experience. Often described as stabbing, electric shock-like pain on one side of the face, it can come on suddenly and unpredictably—affecting the jaw, cheek, eye, or forehead. Eating, talking, brushing teeth, or even light wind on the skin can trigger excruciating episodes.

At Vital Balance, we take a neurologically precise, non-invasive approach to helping people with trigeminal neuralgia—by reducing the root irritation near the brainstem, restoring cranio-cervical balance, and calming the overactive nervous system.

 

What Is Trigeminal Neuralgia?

The trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) is responsible for carrying sensory information from the face to the brain. It has three main branches:

• V1: Ophthalmic (forehead, eye)

• V2: Maxillary (cheek, upper teeth)

• V3: Mandibular (jaw, lower teeth)

When the nerve becomes compressed, inflamed, or hypersensitized, it can fire abnormally—causing sharp, burning, or electric facial pain, even in response to non-painful stimuli. This is called neuropathic pain, and it originates from a dysfunction in the way the nerve and brainstem communicate.

 

Why Traditional Treatments Often Fall Short

Conventional care often relies on:

• Anti-seizure medications (like carbamazepine or gabapentin)

• Antidepressants to dull nerve sensitivity

• Surgical interventions or nerve ablation

While these options can reduce symptoms, they rarely address the underlying neurologic and mechanical irritation that causes the problem in the first place. And many patients are left with persistent symptoms, medication side effects, or numbness after invasive procedures.

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How We Approach Trigeminal Neuralgia Differently

At Vital Balance, we focus on restoring healthy input to the brainstem and upper cervical spine, where the trigeminal nerve connects to central control centers. One of the most overlooked contributors to trigeminal irritation is misalignment or tension at the cranio-cervical junction—the area where the skull meets the top of the spine.

 

Even subtle instability or torsion in this region can:

• Irritate or compress the nerve root entry zone of the trigeminal nerve

• Alter cerebrospinal fluid and blood flow to the brainstem

• Increase firing of nearby pain pathways and vestibular nuclei

• Disrupt the natural regulation of cranial nerve function

Our Protocol for Supporting Trigeminal Neuralgia:

 

1. Neurologic and Structural Evaluation
We start with an in-depth analysis of:

• Upper cervical alignment (C1/C2)

• Brainstem and cranial nerve function

• Postural asymmetry and facial proprioception

 

2. Gentle Upper Cervical Correction
We use precise, image-guided techniques (Orthospinology, Advanced Orthogonal) to correct misalignment at the upper neck—without cracking, twisting, or heavy force. This relieves tension on the brainstem and surrounding neural structures, allowing the nervous system to begin calming its overactive signals.

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4. Lifestyle Support to Calm the Nervous System
We also coach patients through strategies that support long-term neural regulation, including:

• Light and sound sensitivity management

• HRV tracking to monitor stress-response patterns

• Anti-inflammatory nutritional guidance to support nerve health

 

Why This Matters

If you’ve been living in fear of your next flare-up—avoiding triggers, rationing medications, or considering surgery—you’re not alone. But you may not need to destroy the nerve to find relief.

At Vital Balance, we focus on restoring the balance and regulation of your nervous system from the inside out—so your trigeminal nerve can stop overfiring and start functioning normally again.