Facial Pain Specialists: Trigeminal Neuralgia & Atypical Facial Pain
Whether sharp and sudden or dull and persistent, facial pain can disrupt daily activities, hinder social interactions and diminish your overall well-being. While injuries or infections are common causes, severe facial pain might also signal more complex conditions like trigeminal neuralgia or atypical facial pain.
At Nura, our specialists are dedicated to developing tailored treatment solutions for facial pain — addressing both typical and atypical trigeminal neuralgia.
Explore each type and discover how our expert team can help you find relief below.
Types and Symptoms of Facial Pain
Facial pain, caused by trigeminal neuralgia or atypical facial pain, typically affects one side of the face. It’s often associated with factors like injury, inflammation or mechanical compression of the trigeminal ganglion — a nerve that acts as the control center for sensations in your face.
Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from one side of your face to your brain. The trigeminal ganglion has three divisions, and pain may be present in one, two, or all three:
- ophthalmic (forehead)
- maxillary (mid-face)
- mandibular (lower jaw)
Individuals with trigeminal neuralgia typically experience episodes of lightning-bolt pain on one side of the face, often triggered by simple activities like chewing, brushing teeth, or applying makeup. Jolts of excruciating pain may last seconds to minutes and then stop with pain-free intervals, which may last hours or days.
Atypical Facial Pain
A less common form of the disorder, called atypical facial pain, causes a constant, dull burning or aching pain that is continuous rather than episodic. With atypical facial pain, electric shock-like stabs may occur, worsening the constant, and continuous ache and leading many to visit a specialist seeking relief.
Unlike typical trigeminal neuralgia, there is often no specific trigger point for the pain, and it can grow worse over time.
Diagnosis of Facial Pain
Diagnosing facial pain involves a comprehensive evaluation by one of our pain management experts. This typically includes a detailed medical history review, physical examination that focuses on where you feel the pain and in some cases, imaging studies like MRI or CT scans. Additionally, diagnostic nerve blocks or other specialized tests may be conducted to help pinpoint the exact cause of the facial pain.
Nura Treatment Options for Facial Pain
Treatment options for facial pain vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of symptoms. In many cases, a multidisciplinary approach is utilized, combining medication management, physical therapy and interventional procedures to alleviate pain and improve overall quality of life.
At Nura, our specialists may recommend various treatments for your facial pain, including:
- Medication
- Physical Therapy
- Neural Blockade of the Trigeminal Ganglion
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Targeted Drug Delivery
Don’t let facial pain control your life. Take the first step toward relief by scheduling a consultation with our experienced team.
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