Acupuncture for Trigeminal Neuralgia: Drug-Free Pain Relief
Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment: When Every Touch Hurts
Imagine waking up one morning, sipping your coffee, and suddenly—out of nowhere—a searing, electric shock-like pain jolts through your face. It’s unbearable, unpredictable, and quickly takes control of your life. Simple things—brushing your teeth, talking, even a light breeze against your cheek—become terrifying triggers. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is the most common cause of facial pain, affecting approximately 15,000 people in the U.S. each year.1 It occurs more often in women than men and typically strikes after age 50.1 Many sufferers endure years of misdiagnoses—often undergoing unnecessary dental procedures—before they finally receive the right diagnosis.
But here’s the good news: relief is possible.
At Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness in Tualatin, OR, we specialize in providing drug-free, effective pain relief for trigeminal neuralgia sufferers in the Greater Portland Area. Through acupuncture and advanced therapies, we help patients reclaim their lives—without relying solely on medications with harsh side effects.
In this article, we’ll explore:
✔️ What causes trigeminal neuralgia and why it’s so painful
✔️ Why conventional treatments (like medications and surgery) often fall short
✔️ How acupuncture, ATP Resonance BioTherapy® and O3 ReBoot Therapy® can provide real relief
Additionally, we’ll compare trigeminal neuralgia with TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) pain, as these conditions can sometimes be confused. For more detailed information on TMD pain and how acupuncture can help, visit our previous post: Soothing the Jaw: How Acupuncture Can Alleviate TMD Pain.
If you’re tired of feeling trapped by your pain, keep reading—there’s hope.
Causes of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia doesn’t appear randomly—it’s usually caused by an underlying issue affecting the trigeminal nerve. Understanding these causes can help guide the right treatment.
Grant, John Charles Boileu, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia: When Nerve Damage Causes Misfiring Pain Signals
In most cases, trigeminal neuralgia occurs due to compression of the trigeminal nerve by a nearby blood vessel. Over time, the constant pulsation of the vessel wears down the nerve’s protective coating (myelin), leaving it exposed and overly sensitive. This is why even the slightest touch—like a breeze on your face—can feel like an electric shock.1
Secondary Trigeminal Neuralgia: When an Underlying Condition is to Blame
For some patients, trigeminal neuralgia is a symptom of another condition. In these cases, nerve damage may result from:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) – A condition that deteriorates the nerve’s protective myelin sheath, leading to abnormal pain signals.1
- Tumors or cysts – Growths pressing against the trigeminal nerve can trigger severe facial pain.1
- Vascular malformations – Abnormal blood vessels can compress the nerve, much like in primary TN.2
- Facial trauma or surgical complications – Previous injuries or procedures affecting the face or jaw can lead to nerve dysfunction.1
- Shingles (postherpetic neuralgia, PHN) – PHN occurs when nerve damage from a shingles outbreak in the trigeminal nerve leads to persistent pain that can last months or even years. Trigeminal PHN is one of the most common forms of PHN and is associated with higher risks of chronic pain and sensory abnormalities compared to PHN in other parts of the body.3
Trigeminal Neuralgia or TMD? How to Get the Right Treatment
Because trigeminal neuralgia and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) both cause facial pain, they’re often confused. But they affect different parts of the face and require different treatments.
- Trigeminal neuralgia pain: Sudden, stabbing, electric-shock-like pain that comes in unpredictable attacks. It is often triggered by simple actions like talking, eating, or touching the face.1
- TMD pain: A dull, aching pain near the jaw joint, often accompanied by stiffness, clicking, or difficulty chewing. TMD is more related to muscle tension and joint dysfunction.4
Recognizing these differences is critical for getting the right trigeminal neuralgia treatment. If you're unsure whether you're dealing with trigeminal neuralgia or TMD, check out our guide: Soothing the Jaw: How Acupuncture Can Alleviate TMD Pain.
Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal neuralgia isn’t just pain—it’s an overwhelming, unpredictable force that disrupts daily life in ways most people can’t imagine. Many sufferers live in fear, never knowing when the next attack will strike.
The Hallmark Symptom: Excruciating Facial Pain
Trigeminal neuralgia is notorious for its sudden, stabbing pain. Patients often describe it as:
✔ An electric shock that radiates across the face
✔ Sharp, burning, or stabbing pain in the cheek, jaw, or around the eye
✔ Pain so intense that talking, eating, or even touching the face is unbearable
These attacks can last anywhere from a few seconds to several minutes, and they may come in waves—hitting multiple times in a row before disappearing. Over time, episodes often become longer and more frequent, making everyday life incredibly difficult. 1
Common Triggers: When Simple Actions Cause Severe Pain
The pain of trigeminal neuralgia can be triggered by the smallest, most routine actions, including:
✔ Brushing your teeth
✔ Chewing food
✔ Talking or smiling
✔ Washing your face
✔ Feeling a slight breeze against your cheek
These simple, everyday activities shouldn’t be painful—but for TN sufferers, they become terrifying. The anxiety of triggering an attack often leads people to avoid eating, speaking, or socializing altogether. 1
Pain That Comes and Goes: The Unpredictable Nature of TN
Unlike other chronic pain conditions, trigeminal neuralgia comes in episodes rather than being constant. Patients may experience:
✔ Sudden attacks followed by pain-free periods (remission can last weeks, months, or even years in early stages)
✔ A worsening of symptoms over time, with attacks becoming more frequent and lasting longer
✔ Burning, aching pain between attacks (in some cases, this constant discomfort—called atypical TN—develops gradually)
2
The Emotional Toll of TN
Trigeminal neuralgia isn’t just physically exhausting—it takes an emotional toll as well. Many patients experience:
✔ Anxiety and fear of the next attack
✔ Depression due to social isolation and chronic pain
✔ Sleep disturbances and exhaustion
Because trigeminal neuralgia is an invisible illness, many patients feel misunderstood by family, friends, and even doctors. If this sounds familiar, know that you are not alone—and there is hope. Seeking the right trigeminal neuralgia treatment can help you regain control.
Trigeminal Neuralgia or Something Else? Key Differences
It’s easy to mistake trigeminal neuralgia for other facial pain conditions, especially temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), dental issues or temporal arteritis. Here’s how TN differs:
| Condition | Type of Pain | Onset | Triggers | Other Symptoms |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trigeminal Neuralgia | Sudden, electric-shock pain | Sudden | Talking, eating, touching face | No swelling or jaw dysfunction¹ |
| TMD (Jaw Disorder) | Dull, aching pain near jaw joint | Gradual | Chewing, jaw movement | Jaw clicking, stiffness, headaches⁴ |
| Dental Pain | Constant, throbbing pain | Gradual | Eating, hot/cold foods | Tooth sensitivity, gum swelling⁵ |
| Temporal Arteritis | Throbbing, persistent headache with scalp tenderness | Gradual | Touching the scalp, chewing (jaw claudication) | Vision changes, fever, fatigue, possible jaw pain |
Many TN patients undergo unnecessary dental work before realizing the problem isn’t their teeth—it’s their nerve. Getting the correct diagnosis is essential to finding effective relief.
Treatment Options for Trigeminal Neuralgia
Finding the right trigeminal neuralgia treatment can be frustrating. Many patients try multiple approaches—from medications to surgery—only to find that their pain keeps coming back. The good news? You don’t have to suffer endlessly. A variety of treatments exist, including acupuncture and integrative therapies, which offer promising results for long-term pain relief.
Medications for Trigeminal Neuralgia
Doctors often prescribe anticonvulsants (nerve pain medications) as the first line of treatment for trigeminal neuralgia. These medications work by calming overactive nerve signals, but they don’t address the underlying cause and can come with side effects.
Common medications for TN include:
✔ Carbamazepine & Oxcarbazepine – Often the first drugs prescribed, but they may cause dizziness, fatigue, or cognitive issues.1
✔ Gabapentin & Pregabalin – Used for nerve pain but may require high doses for effectiveness.1
✔ Baclofen – A muscle relaxant sometimes combined with anticonvulsants.1
🚨 The downside? Over time, medications may lose effectiveness, requiring higher doses and leading to more side effects. That’s why many patients seek drug-free alternatives like acupuncture.
Surgical Procedures for Severe Cases
When medications fail, surgical procedures may be an option—but they come with risks and varying success rates.
✔ Microvascular Decompression (MVD) – A procedure to relieve pressure from blood vessels pressing on the trigeminal nerve. It has the highest success rate but requires surgery, a hospital stay, and recovery time.1
✔ Gamma Knife Radiosurgery – A non-invasive procedure that uses targeted radiation to disrupt pain signals. Results take weeks or months to appear.1
✔ Rhizotomy (Nerve Ablation) – A procedure that intentionally damages nerve fibers to block pain. However, this can cause facial numbness and pain recurrence over time.1
Acupuncture & Integrative Therapies for Trigeminal Neuralgia
If you’re looking for a drug-free, non-invasive approach to pain relief, acupuncture and integrative therapies offer a proven alternative. At Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness in Tualatin, OR, we specialize in natural solutions for trigeminal neuralgia, helping patients in the Greater Portland Area reduce pain and regain their quality of life.
How Does Acupuncture Help?
✔ Regulates Nerve Function – Acupuncture helps balance nerve activity, reducing pain sensitivity and overactive signals in the trigeminal nerve.2
✔ Decreases Inflammation – Studies show acupuncture can lower neuroinflammation, which is closely linked to chronic nerve pain.2
✔ Triggers Natural Pain Relief – Acupuncture stimulates the release of endorphins and other pain-modulating chemicals, helping to block pain signals at the brain level.2
How We Take Trigeminal Neuralgia Treatment Further
At Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness, we go beyond traditional acupuncture by integrating advanced therapies designed to enhance pain relief, reduce inflammation and support nerve healing:
✔ Acupuncture – Relieves nerve pain, reduces inflammation, and promotes overall nervous system balance.
✔ Electroacupuncture – Uses gentle, subsensory stimulation to enhance acupuncture’s effects, improving circulation and nerve function.
✔ ATP Resonance BioTherapy® – A cutting-edge, non-invasive therapy that uses low-level electrical currents to stimulate cellular healing and accelerate nerve repair.
✔ O3 ReBoot Therapy® – A specialized ozone therapy that reduces inflammation in the skin to support tissue and nerve healing while promoting long-term pain relief.
💡 Why This Matters: While acupuncture alone is highly effective, combining it with electroacupuncture, ATP Resonance BioTherapy® and O3 ReBoot Therapy® amplifies results, helping many patients manage pain more effectively, reduce reliance on medications, and avoid surgery.
Evidence Supporting Acupuncture for Trigeminal Neuralgia
Scientific research continues to validate acupuncture as an effective treatment for TN. Below are key studies demonstrating acupuncture’s ability to reduce pain and improve quality of life:
📌 Study #1: Acupuncture vs. Medication for Trigeminal Neuralgia
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 30 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) found that acupuncture provided better pain relief than carbamazepine, with fewer side effects. 6 Patients receiving acupuncture experienced a significant reduction in pain intensity and attack frequency.
📌 Study #2: Electroacupuncture + Carbamazepine Enhances Pain Relief
A 2024 randomized controlled trial (RCT) found that combining electroacupuncture (EA) with low-dose carbamazepine resulted in greater pain relief compared to medication alone. Patients in the acupuncture group required lower medication doses, reducing side effects. 2
📌 Study #3: Acupuncture’s Role in Pain Modulation
Research indicates that electroacupuncture influences pain processing by modulating neurotransmitters, reducing inflammation, and affecting central pain pathways. These mechanisms contribute to long-term pain relief in chronic pain conditions. 7
🚀 What This Means for You:
✔ Acupuncture is a powerful alternative to medications.
✔ Electroacupuncture enhances the effects of conventional treatment.
✔ Acupuncture helps regulate pain pathways for long-term relief.
Take the Next Step Toward Lasting Relief
You don’t have to live with the pain and uncertainty of trigeminal neuralgia. If facial nerve pain is disrupting your daily life, we’re here to help you find real relief.
At Nyberg Acupuncture & Wellness in Tualatin, OR, we specialize in natural, non-invasive solutions for nerve-related pain. Dr. Jeffrey Savage, LAc, DACM, has helped countless patients find relief from trigeminal neuralgia and other chronic pain conditions—without the need for long-term medications or invasive procedures.
Because every case of trigeminal neuralgia is different, we offer personalized consultations to:
✔️ Assess your specific symptoms and health history to understand your unique situation.
✔️ Answer your questions about acupuncture, ATP Resonance BioTherapy®, O3 ReBoot Therapy® and our other treatment options.
✔️ Create a customized treatment plan designed to relieve pain, improve nerve function, and restore your quality of life.
🔹 The sooner you seek treatment, the better your chances of long-term relief.
📞 Call us today at +1 503 336 4747 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Savage and take the first step toward lasting pain relief.
🌿 Learn more about how acupuncture can help: Conditions We Treat.
References:
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. Trigeminal Neuralgia. Accessed March 9, 2025. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/trigeminal-neuralgia
- Li R, Sun J, Luo K, et al. Electroacupuncture and carbamazepine for patients with trigeminal neuralgia: a randomized, controlled, 2 × 2 factorial trial. J Neurol. 2024;271(8):5122-5136. doi:10.1007/s00415-024-12433-x
- Niemeyer CS, Harlander-Locke M, Bubak AN, Rzasa-Lynn R, Birlea M. Trigeminal postherpetic neuralgia: from pathophysiology to treatment. Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2024;28(4):295-306. doi:10.1007/s11916-023-01209-z
- American Academy of Orofacial Pain. Temporomandibular Disorders. Accessed March 10, 2025. https://www.aaop.org/tmd
- Mills T, Patel J, McGurk M. The differential diagnosis of orofacial pain: a diagnostic challenge. Br J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2021;59(5):499-506. doi:10.1016/j.bjoms.2020.10.016
- Ang L, Kim HJ, Heo JW, et al. Acupuncture for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2023;52:101763. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2023.101763
- Zhang R, Lao L, Ren K, Berman BM. Mechanisms of acupuncture–electroacupuncture on persistent pain. Anesthesiology. 2014;120(2):482-503
