7 Homeopathic Remedies For Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN or TGN), also known as tic douloureux/ Fothergill disease/ Prosopalgia refers to severe electric shock like facial pain on one side of the body along the course of the trigeminal nerve (usually due to compression, irritation or damage to the nerve). The pain is typically abrupt and intense. Even little stimulation of face like washing the face, brushing teeth can excite a sharp pain on the face in these cases. The severity of the pain may cause a person to contort his/her face in a twisted expression. It is considered one of the most severely painful disorders known to medical science due to which, it is also called suicide disease. Though the condition is not life-threatening, it can hinder one’s quality of life and can lead to chronic pain syndrome which usually affects the activities of daily life and may lead to depression in some individuals. Homeopathic treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia helps reduce the severity and recurrence of sudden pains.

 

Homeopathic Treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia

In the homeopathic mode of treatment, the treatment begins once the complete case history is understood from the patient, including the location, sensation, time and modalities of the pain. Particular attention is paid to the factors that trigger the complaint. Homeopathic treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia works by acting internally on the root of the problem. Caught in the early stages (with the initial symptoms), homeopathic medicines can help cure the condition with minimal chances of recurrence.

Homeopathic medicines work by managing the acute symptoms that are most troublesome and difficult to bear. They further help manage the condition by minimizing the intensity of pain. These medications are entirely natural, safe and free from any side effects. Homeopathic medications can give long-term relief in cases of Trigeminal Neuralgia and can enable an individual to lead a good quality of life.

Top Homeopathic Medicines For Trigeminal Neuralgia

The top homeopathic remedies for trigeminal neuralgia include Spigelia, Magnesia Phosphorica, Verbascum and Colocynth.

1. Spigelia – For Neuralgia On The Left Side

Spigelia is an excellent natural medicine for left-sided Trigeminal Neuralgia. Facial pain located on the left side of the face that comes and goes suddenly are the primary features that indicate the need for this medicine. The area around the eye, forehead, cheek, teeth, and temple on the left side of the face are particularly painful. The nature of pain varies from stabbing, violent, burning like hot needles or wires, jerking, tearing, to stitching type. The affected area is highly sensitive to touch. In a few cases, pains worsen from morning to sunset. The attack of Trigeminal Neuralgia arising in cold, rainy weather are strong indicators to use Spigelia. It can be used when V1 (ophthalmic) and V2 (maxillary) branches of trigeminal nerve are affected.

Key indications 

Pain on the left side of the face

The occurrence of sudden pain on the affected part of face

The affected area becomes highly sensitive to touch

Attacks of trigeminal neuralgia arising in cold, rainy weather

2. Magnesia Phosphorica – For Neuralgia On The Right Side

Magnesia Phosphorica is a medicine for cases of right-sided trigeminal neuralgia. Pain usually starts near the right eye and extends to the whole right side of the face. The pain of stabbing, stitching, shooting, cutting character is present. Pain may return every two to three hours. Pain on the right side of the face may alternate with a toothache or frequently change location, rushing about like a bolt of lightning. The pain may get worse from the slightest touch, cold application, motion, a draft of air, cold washing, eating. The patient may get relief by warmth application and pressure. Facial neuralgia beginning on opening the mouth to eat or drink is also indicative of using this medicine.

Key indications 

Pain on the right side of the face.

Pain in the affected area gets worse from touch.

Pain on opening the mouth.

3. Verbascum— For Neuralgia With Marked Periodicity

Verbascum (also known as Mullein Oil) is a medicine for Trigeminal Neuralgia that has a pronounced action on the maxillary branch of the trigeminal nerve. There is periodic facial pain of tearing, stitching, cramping, crushing type. Pain seems to occur in flashes, happening at the same hour in the morning and afternoon every day. The smallest movement triggers facial pain. Neuralgia of the left side of face occurs more commonly in cheeks and temporo-maxillary joint. A pressure in the entire left side of the head and face may be present. Pains get triggered by sneezing, talking and change of weather. Another indication is a benumbing, sticking and piercing type of pain deep in the right temple while eating, which extends to upper teeth of the same side after a few hours. Severe pressing, pinching pain on the side of the lower jaw also indicates the need for this medicine.

Key indications

Pain in flashes on the affected part of the face

Pain on face triggered by the smallest movement

Pain in the right temple while eating

4. Colocynth – For Neuralgia With Shooting, Stitching Pains

Colocynth works efficiently in cases of trigeminal neuralgia where facial pains are violent, shooting, and stitching in character. Numbness may follow neuralgic pains and get better by pressure. This medicine has a long-lasting action on large nerves, especially the trigeminal nerve. There are tearing pains in the cheeks, stitches in upper jaw which reoccur frequently. The left side of the face, temple, ear and sometimes the side of the neck may get affected. Facial neuralgia and toothache remain confined to one side. The pains are periodical and very severe.

Key indications 

Pain in left side of the face, temple, ear

Facial pains that are violent, shooting, and stitching in nature

Other Important Remedies

Hecla Lava – For Neuralgia From Dental Complaints

Hecla lava is an important remedy in cases of facial neuralgia when dental problems like tooth decay causes pain. Neuralgic pains in the face after extraction of the tooth or decayed tooth are the characteristic features. There is swelling and violent pain in the jaw, which is highly painful to touch.

Plantago – For Neuralgia With Pains In Lower Jaws

Plantago has a marked action on the trigeminal nerve. It is an excellent remedy where neuralgia is located around the lower jaw. The pain is shooting, tearing in nature. Pain starting from the lower jaw may extend to the ears. Sometimes there is drawing pain in the cheeks. It can be given when mandibular (V3) branch is involved with pain in lower jaw and ear.

Hypericum – For Neuralgia After Nerve Injury

Hypericum is a highly beneficial medicine in cases where Trigeminal Neuralgia starts after a nerve injury. Pains in the face are sharp, shooting, tearing or violent. There is marked tingling, burning, numbness in the affected area of the face. Facial neuralgia and toothache are present. Tension and tearing in the cheek may also be present.

Belladonna —For Right Sided Facial Pain

Belladonna is very effective in managing right-sided facial pain. It works well when pain is marked in the right side temple going to eye and cheek of right side. It is triggered by touch and movement of face. There may be relief in pain from hard pressure over affected area. It is also helpful when pain occurs in jaw, teeth and ears. A marked redness and burning heat may accompany the above symptoms.

Symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia

The most commonly affected areas of the face in Trigeminal Neuralgia include the jaw and lower face.

1. Area of pain: The pain can be focused on one spot (depending upon the branch that is affected) or can advance to a widespread area. The areas that can be affected include jaws, eyes, cheeks, lips, and teeth, area around the nose, ears, gums, forehead.

2. Type of pain: Pains can be excruciating, tearing, shooting, jabbing, or feel like electric shocks. Trigeminal neuropathic pains that produce tingling and numbness (usually due to oral surgery or dentistry) may also occur. There may be a tingling, pin needle sensation or numbness in the face before the development of pain. Burning sensation in the face may also be felt after pain has subsided. Twitching (involuntary muscle contraction causing jerking in affected part) in face may also occur after an attack of pain.

3. The side of the face affected: Usually, the pain is unilateral (one-sided). Mostly, it involves right side of the face. But in some cases, it can be bilateral (affecting both sides of the face) for example in case of multiple sclerosis. In case of bilateral TN though both sides are affected but at a given time only one side has symptoms. Very rarely, both sides show symptoms at same time.

4. The intensity of pain: In most cases, episodes of pain are usually intense in nature (some sufferers have reported the pain being more intense than pain of a heart attack). However, in some cases, pain can range from mild to moderate. With progression of the condition, pain becomes more intense with time.

5. Duration of pain: The pain attack lasts from few seconds to few minutes initially. As the condition progresses, the pain attacks can become longer.

6. The frequency of attacks: Intermittent isolated episodes of sudden pain tend to occur. Some may experience it only once a day and others may have it every few minutes or hours. It may happen every day for several days, weeks, months or even more than that. Sometimes, even months or years may pass after one attack (called remission period). If not treated, the attacks can become frequent and intense over time. Mild attacks may be experienced initially, but if progression takes place, long and frequent bouts of pains can occur.

7. Time of occurrence: It can occur once the patient is exposed to any triggering factors (and sometimes even without them). It never happens while a person is asleep.

What Causes Trigeminal Neuralgia (TGN or TN)?

It arises from abnormal functioning of trigeminal nerve. The main cause behind TGN is compression of trigeminal nerve by a blood vessel. It damages myelin sheath (protective covering of nerve fibers) of this nerve and results in the hyperfunctioning of the nerve. As a result of the damage, even a little stimulation on the portion of the face supplied by this nerve excites pain. In addition, the nerve is unable to close pain signals once nerve stimulation stops. The compression of nerve for a short period of time does not cause pain but long-term constant compression cause demyelination of nerve initially, followed by degeneration of axon (thin fibers extending from nerve cell that function to transmit electrical signals to nerve cells, muscles, glands).

Various causes of Trigeminal Neuralgia include:

1. Pressure: Approximately 95% of TN cases arise from pressure on this nerve. Pressure on the trigeminal nerve from the surrounding blood vessel (an artery – anterior inferior cerebellar artery, etatic basilar artery or a vein) at the base of brain is the most common cause.

Pressure on trigeminal nerve from a tumour may also lead to TN but that is rare. TN may also occur from pressure on trigeminal nerve by an aneurysm (bulge in the wall of blood vessel)

2. Trauma / Injury to nerve: Damage to the nerve can occur as a result of facial injury, dental injury or a surgical procedure (eg sinus surgery, oral surgery), stroke (brain damage arising from interrupted blood supply to brain) can lead to TN.

3. Loss of Myelin Sheath: Myelin sheath protects the nerves. Loss of myelin sheath (which can occur as result of aging or condition like multiple sclerosis) can lead to Trigeminal Neuralgia. Multiple sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder in which immune cells damage the protective covering of nerves disrupting communication between brain and body.

4. Inflammation: Inflammatory disorders like Lyme disease (a tick-borne disease caused by bacteria, of the Type Borrelia, known as Borrelia Burgdoferi) and Sarcoidosis (autoimmune disorder causing collection of inflammatory cells in a body part) can also lead to the development of Trigeminal Neuralgia.

5. Collagen Vascular Diseases: Diseases like scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus can trigger Trigeminal Neuralgia. In such diseases, the immune system causes inflammation in the collagen and surrounding joints.

However, it should be noted that in many cases, there is no specific cause for Trigeminal Neuralgia called as idiopathic TN.

What Are The Factors That Contribute to the Development of Trigeminal Neuralgia?

1. Family History: Trigeminal Neuralgia may run in families as it is related to malformation of blood vessels in the brain due to inheritance.

2. Age: Though any age group can be affected but it is common in people who are 50 years of age or above. The reason is that blood vessels get hard and elongated with age and there is sagging of brain that can make new contacts between nerves and blood vessels.

3. Women are more affected with TGN as compared to men.

4. High Blood Pressure: People with high blood pressure issues are more likely to suffer from trigeminal neuralgia than those with normal blood pressure.

What Triggers Nerve Pain in TGN?

A person who has Trigeminal Neuralgia usually has a triggering factor that can result in the onset of an episode of TGN. Some of the most common triggering factors include washing the face, brushing teeth, talking, touching the face, chewing, smiling, shaving, putting on makeup, exposure to drafts of air, blowing the nose, etc.

Classification and types of Trigeminal Neuralgia

As per ICHD-3 (International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3^rd edition), TN is classified into three types as follows:

1.Classic TN: When Trigeminal Neuralgia is associated with vascular compression, means compression of nerve by a blood vessel

2.Secondary TN: The TN linked to irritation or pressure on trigeminal nerve from tumour or arising from some disease lurking behind it, like multiple sclerosis is secondary TN

3.Idiopathic TN: No cause behind TN is detected.

Based on the symptomatic presentation, Trigeminal neuralgia is classified into two types:

Typical Trigeminal Neuralgia and Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia. A person may be affected by both the types at the same time.

1. Typical (Type 1) Trigeminal Neuralgia

Typical trigeminal neuralgia usually results in episodes of severe, sudden, shock-like pain generally affecting one side of the face. Pains may last from few seconds to minutes. Many episodes can occur over a few hours. A touch usually triggers episodic pain in the face. It is a very painful condition. The areas involved mainly includes cheek, mouth or nose on one side of face.

2. Atypical (type 2) Trigeminal Neuralgia

Atypical trigeminal neuralgia is also known as Type 2 trigeminal neuralgia. The person experiences constant aching, burning and stabbing pain of low intensity (compared to Type 1). This type of pain is difficult to diagnose. It is a rare condition, and the symptoms overlap with several other disorders. It can occur in addition to a migraine headache or can be mistaken for migraine alone, dental issues, temporomandibular joint disorders or musculoskeletal issues.

Another classification of Trigeminal Neuralgia is as follows:

It is also classified as primary and secondary Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN)

Primary TN: It is associated with compression of trigeminal nerve by an artery or vein. It is not caused by any medical condition.

Secondary TN: It arises secondary to some condition, like an injury to face, multiple sclerosis or damage to myelin sheaths from some other medical condition, from pressure on trigeminal nerve by a tumour, cyst.

Which disorders can Trigeminal Neuralgia mimic?

TN can mimic several medical disorders. These include:

1. Post Herpetic Neuralgia: It is a complication of Herpes Zoster (a viral infection occurring from reactivation of Varicella Zoster virus. Herpes Zoster causes painful rash or blisters (fluid-filled bumps) on skin. If pain of Herpes Zoster continues after healing of rash for more than three months in the affected skin areas, then it is termed as Post Herpetic Neuralgia.

2. Temporomandibular joint syndrome/disorder: Temporomandibular joint is the joint connecting lower jaw to skull. Conditions that affect jaw joint and surrounding muscles or ligaments is referred as Temporomandibular joint syndrome/disorder.

3. Sinus infection/Sinusitis: Infection or inflammation of lining of paranasal sinuses (air-filled cavities within the skull bone).

4. Temporal tendinitis: Inflamed temporal tendon where it inserts in the cornoid process of lower jaw.

5. Dental pain: Toothache from dental cause like tooth decay, cavity in tooth, etc.

6. Cluster headache: Severe headache occurring in clusters. The sufferer faces attacks of headache followed by periods free of any such pain.

7. Migraine: Headache affecting one side of the head usually with throbbing pulsating pain commonly attended with nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to noise or light.

8. Temporal arteritis (also called Giant cell arteritis): A condition caused by inflammation of the arteries present at the side of the head (temporal region of head).

Trigeminal Nerve and its Function

The trigeminal nerve is the fifth cranial nerve (out of 12 pair of cranial nerves) and is the largest of all the cranial nerves. There is one trigeminal nerve on either side of the face. The trigeminal nerve divides itself further into three branches (hence the name trigeminal derived from two Latin words: tria means three and geminus means twin). The three branches are named as Ophthalmic nerve (V1), Maxillary nerve (V2), Mandibular nerve (V3). The trigeminal nerve is a mixed cranial nerve responsible for both sensory functions (which include facial sensations such as pressure, thermoception (temperature), nociception (pain)) and motor functions as it supplies the muscles of mastication (chewing and biting) but not facial expressions.

When Trigeminal Neuralgia occurs, one, two or all branches of the nerve may get affected. Most commonly, the middle branch (maxillary nerve) and lower branch (mandibular nerve) are affected. Upper branch (Opthalmic nerve) is the least to be affected.  The areas of face supplied by the three branches of the trigeminal nerve are:

V1 (Ophthalmic/upper branch): This branch is responsible for sensation in the scalp, forehead, eye, upper eyelid and tip of the nose.

V2 (Maxillary/middle branch): This branch is responsible for sensation in the lower eyelid, side of the nose, cheeks, nostrils, upper lip, upper teeth and upper gums.

V3 (Mandibular/lower branch): This branch is responsible for sensation in lower teeth, lower gums, lower lip, chin, jaw, and part of the ear. Mandibular branch also supplies the muscles involved in mastication (chewing and biting).

Complications Associated with Trigeminal Neuralgia

Recurrence is one of the main complications of Trigeminal Neuralgia. Once the pain sets in, the affected person may not want to brush his teeth or maintain hygiene for fear of triggering the pain. This can lead to severe anxiety and distress and even depression in patients who suffer from it.

Managing the Pain of Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal Neuralgia can be managed well if one is aware of the particular triggering factors. Avoiding these triggers can help control the occurrence of the debilitating pains and can ultimately improve one’s quality of life. One must avoid vigorous brushing of teeth, eating very hard solid foods, exposure to drafts of air or any other trigger known individually to the case which can excite facial pain.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am taking Spigelia 30 for TGN of left side but that has not helped much, Is there any other homeopathic remedy that I can try?

To deal with left-sided facial pain, Spigelia ranks first and is often the first choice of homeopathic medicine to start with treatment of left-sided facial neuralgia. Unfortunately, it did not worked in your case. But yes there are definitely some other remedies that you can try, for example Aconite, Colocynth, Verbascum Thapsus that are prominently indicated for left-sided facial pains. These medicines can be used after matching the symptoms.

I am taking Magnesium Phos 6X for my right sided trigeminal neuralgia, Is it the correct remedy for that?

Yes, absolutely it is one of the top homeopathic medicine for right-sided Trigeminal Neuralgia. To get best results, take its tablets by dissolving it in warm water.

Which homeopathic medicines would you rate as best for TGN?

Though there are numerous medicines for TGN treatment but as per my clinical experience, I would rate Spigelia, Magnesium Phos, Verbascum, Colocynth and Hecla Lava as the best medicines for TGN. These give magnificent results when taken as per similarity of symptoms.

Is Staphysagria also a homeopathic medicine for TGN?

Yes, Staphysagria is also indicated for some cases of TGN. It is mainly indicated for pain in the cheek on left side especially for sharp burning or stitching pain.  Consider a homeopathic doctor’s advice prior to using this medicine.

I have been suffering from Trigeminal Neuralgia for the last 10 years, can homeopathy help such chronic cases?

Yes, there is scope in homeopathy to treat chronic cases of Trigeminal Neuralgia. Homeopathic medicines help in reducing the intensity and frequency of pain episodes. With proper treatment for recommended period of time, one may even get cured, though results vary from case to case.

I have been taking conventional treatment (anti-convulsant drugs and also botox injection as per doctor’s advice) for Trigeminal Neuralgia for the last 2 years, can I switch to homeopathy?

I would recommend to not stop the allopathic treatment all of sudden as your body has become habitual to it. What you can do is start homeopathic medicines side by side and once your body start responding, you may gradually lessen the dose of allopathic medicines and with time may entirely stop other treatment.

If I start homeopathic treatment for Trigeminal Neuralgia, will I have to take homeopathic medicines for lifetime?

Not that’s not the case. The course of homeopathic medicines varies from case to case ranging from few months to a year approximately. Once relief is achieved to a major extent in such cases, the dose is gradually reduced and completely finished later.

Does homeopathy offer permanent cure for Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Homeopathy promises great help in reducing intensity and frequency of attacks of facial pain in TGN in most cases. In some cases, permanent cure might take place but that depends upon several factors such as the severity, duration of complaint and how well body responds to the homeopathic treatment.

Does homeopathic medicine Arnica play any role in treating TGN?

Arnica is a highly recommended homeopathic remedy to relieve complaints that arise from an injury in general. So, Arnica can be considered to treat TGN cases where there is history of facial injury prior to onset of TGN. But I advise to consult a homeopathic physician before using this medicine for TGN.

What help could homeopathic medicine Thuja offer in TGN cases?

Thuja is a natural homeopathic medicine that could be helpful when the pain starts from lips or gums and spreads to entire right side of the face. Numbness might follow pain in the affected area. Before using this medicine, kindly consult a homeopath.

I have sharp, severe facial pain on the right side that comes and goes, do I have Trigeminal Neuralgia?

No doubt, Trigeminal Neuralgia is one of the most important reasons behind sharp, facial pain especially when it is one-sided but other medical conditions can also cause facial pains. These includes Post Herpetic Neuralgia, TMJ disorder, sinusitis, dental pain, etc. So a complete case history is required to evaluate your case and find the exact reason.

My mother aged 80 yrs is suffering from TGN and recently I also started getting facial pain on and off, could it be TGN?

There are chances that your facial pain could be related to TGN as it has been seen that persons having family history of TGN are at risk. But it could also be arising from some other reason that should not be overlooked. I advise you to take proper consultation from a physician to rule out the cause behind your facial pain.

Is my pain around the jaw related to Trigeminal Neuralgia?

It might or it might not be the case. Involvement of V3 (mandibular branch) can surely cause jaw pain but other reasons should also not be ignored as jaw pain could arise from other reasons like dental abscess, arthritis apart from Trigeminal Neuralgia. So, I suggest consulting a physician before reaching any conclusion.

Could numbness or tingling sensation in face be related to Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Yes, tingling and numbness in the face may arise in case of Trigeminal Neuralgia along with pain. But other reasons may also cause such symptoms. Some of the reasons include an allergic reaction, anxiety, multiple sclerosis. One must visit a physician to rule out the exact cause.

Could my Trigeminal Neuralgia be related to dental surgery that I had a few months ago?

Yes, it could be. Dental surgery can actually trigger Trigeminal Neuralgia in some. For example, it may follow root canal procedure, tooth extraction, installing dental implant in lower jaw.

Can stress cause TGN?

Though stress may not by itself cause TGN, but it can make this condition worse.

I have heard that high Blood pressure (BP) can cause TGN, Is it so?

While high blood pressure does not directly lead to TGN but it is a predisposing factor for it. Not everyone suffering from high BP goes on to develop TGN but they are at more risk to get TGN as compared to those who are non-hypertensive ( not having high BP)

Are any investigations required to diagnose Trigeminal Neuralgia?

A clinical diagnosis of Trigeminal Neuralgia can be made after evaluating the description of type, location, frequency and triggering factors of pain. Physical or neurological examination to know the exact location of pain can be performed. These symptoms are enough for clinical diagnosis, and sometimes no tests are required. To rule out the possible causes of occurrence of Trigeminal Neuralgia, an MRI of brain may be advised to rule out any inflammation, brain tumor or a blood vessel compressing the nerve.

Can Trigeminal Neuralgia be prevented?

Though initiation of Trigeminal Neuralgia in a person cannot be prevented but the future episodes of pain can be prevented by noting down the trigger factors and avoiding them as far as possible in future.