Living with sudden, sharp pain in your face?
A flash like an electric shock across your cheek, jaw or forehead, set off by a breeze, a bite of food or brushing your teeth. Trigeminal neuralgia can make everyday moments feel risky and leave you bracing for the next attack. Alongside the medical care you already have, our doctors in SoHo, Astoria and Massapequa can examine your upper neck gently and tell you plainly whether it may be adding stress to the nerves of your head and face.
What is trigeminal neuralgia?
The trigeminal nerve carries feeling from your face to your brain. In trigeminal neuralgia this nerve sends sudden pain signals, usually on one side of the face, described as stabbing, burning or like an electric shock. Attacks can last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes and may come in waves, with pain-free stretches in between.
Other conditions can cause facial pain, so a medical diagnosis, often from a neurologist, is an important first step.
Common signs include:
- Sudden, stabbing or shock-like pain in the cheek, jaw, teeth or forehead
- Pain set off by light touch, chewing, talking or a breeze
- Pain that usually affects one side of the face
- Attacks lasting from seconds to a couple of minutes
- A constant ache or burning between the sharper attacks
- Avoiding eating, shaving or brushing your teeth for fear of pain
- A blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve
- Multiple sclerosis or another condition that affects the nerve’s protective covering
- A growth pressing on the nerve, which is uncommon
- Injury to the nerve from surgery, dental work or trauma
- Often, no single cause is ever found
What causes trigeminal neuralgia?
The nerve is often irritated close to where it leaves the brainstem, and the reason is not always found.
The path of the trigeminal nerve inside the brainstem reaches down toward the top of the neck, which is why upper cervical chiropractors look at whether tension or misalignment at the atlas (C1) and axis (C2) may be adding stress to this area. New facial numbness, weakness, double vision or hearing changes, or facial pain after a head injury, should be seen by a doctor promptly.
How upper cervical care can help
Trigeminal neuralgia needs a medical diagnosis, and we ask you to keep seeing your doctor or neurologist. Our role is to look at a different part of the picture: the position of the top two bones of your neck and the muscles around them. Neurological testing, a posture evaluation and 3D imaging help us see whether that area may be placing extra stress on the nerves that serve your head and face.
If we find a misalignment, we use a light, precise adjustment with no twisting, cracking or popping, so there is no sudden force near a sensitive nerve. Our goal is for the muscles of your neck and jaw to feel calmer and more comfortable, though results differ and we cannot predict yours. We will tell you honestly what we find and whether we think care is a good fit.
A diagnosis comes first
Please see your doctor or a neurologist for a diagnosis and keep going to those visits. Our care is meant to sit beside theirs, not replace it.
Looking at the upper neck
Neurological testing and 3D images of the top two neck bones show how your upper neck is positioned and whether it may be adding stress to nearby nerves.
Knowing your triggers
Many people know exactly what sets off their pain, such as a breeze, chewing or brushing teeth. Sharing your triggers helps us keep your visits comfortable and see how you are doing.
Gentle by design
Adjustments are done by hand or with an instrument, always lightly, which suits a nerve that reacts to the smallest touch.
What to expect
Day 1
Your first visit
A consultation with the doctor at the office you choose, a thorough exam, and 3D imaging of your cervical spine with our CBCT scanner. We also do a detailed posture evaluation with advanced software, neurological testing and muscle assessments.
Day 2
Your report of findings
The doctor goes over your history, your exam and posture results, your neurological findings and your 3D images with you, and explains a care plan made for you.
Ongoing
Gentle care, checked as you go
Gentle upper cervical adjustments with no twisting, cracking or popping, and regular progress checks so your plan follows how you are doing.
Why choose Apollo?
Specialized care
We focus on upper cervical chiropractic, a highly targeted and refined approach.
A plan made for you
Every patient is different. Your care plan is built around your own exam and your 3D imaging.
Gentle, with no cracking
Our methods are very gentle: no twisting, cracking or popping.
An experienced doctor
Dr. Kosta Tsakalos brings deep clinical experience and a caring, detail-oriented approach to every visit.
Every person is different, and results vary. Read what our patients say on our testimonials page.
Let us help you get started
If you are dealing with trigeminal neuralgia, we are here to help. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Kosta Tsakalos and find out whether upper cervical chiropractic care is right for you.
Related conditions we help with
- Brain Fog
- Vertigo & Dizziness
- Post-Concussion Symptoms
- Ménière’s Disease
- Migraines
- Headaches
- Tinnitus
- Ear Infections
- See every condition
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis or medical advice. If your symptoms are sudden or severe, please seek medical care right away.