Neuralgia is sharp and seering pain caused by a nerve legion. In the case of trigeminal
neuralgia, the pain is usually found on the the second or third portion of the
nerve in the lower jaw, upper jaw or mouth. The pain can is triggered by cold
drafts, eating, brushing of the teeth or even washing the face with cold water.
Trigeminal Neuralgia: Does TENS work?
Traditional treatments of trigeminal neuralgia are either drug or surgery realted.
Carbamacepine is seen as effective but it should be used very carefully as side-effects
are slowly built up. If carbamacepene is not effective, diphenyhydantoine, valproate
or conazepame can be tried. In some cases the nerve can be operated upon.
The other pain relief tool that is being used increasingly is TENS. It can be
used along side exisiting treatments or by itself. TENS or Transcutaneous Electrical
Nerve Stimulation is a non-invasive, drug-free method of pain relief. It is ideal
for the treatment of trigeminal neuralgia. Pads are placed on or near the area
of pain. TENS uses soothing pulses that are sent via the pads through the skin
and along the nerve fibres. The pulses suppress pain signals to the brain. TENS
also encourages the body to produce higher levels of its own natural pain killing
chemicals called Endorphins and Encephalins.
In many cases, stimulation will greatly reduce or eliminate pain.
Relief may continue for several hours after the unit has been switched
off.