This post was originally published at TreatingTMJ.com
Trigeminal Neuralgia (TN), Fothergill’s Disease or “Tic douloureux” is characterized by sudden attacks of severe, sharp, stabbing, electric shock like pain affecting one side of face mainly along the second and third divisions of the Trigeminal Nerve.
TN is sometimes called “the worst pain known to mankind” and “the suicide disorder” by Medical Science. It is triggered by chewing, speaking, cold winds and touching a trigger spot. The disease, typically involves older females aged more than 35 years and usually involves the right half of the face. Most of the time the patients with TN who showed they are partially or temporarily responsive to drug therapy then underwent for surgery to relieve the pain. The International Headache Society (IHS) differentiates between classical trigeminal neuralgia, often caused by microvascular compression at the trigeminal root entry to the brainstem, and symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia, caused by a structural lesion other than vascular compression. The pain involves the second (maxillary) or third (mandible) divisions more often than the first (ophthalmic);
It rarely occurs bilaterally and never simultaneously on each side, occasionally more than one division is involved. Sudden attacks last for few seconds to minutes. Hardly any studies have reported the role of physiotherapy in Trigeminal Neuralgia. Dildip Khanal, physical therapist, completed his masters of physiotherapy in neurology. Presently he is working in BIKASH Nepal as a joint training coordinator and as a Clinical therapist in Metro City Hospital, Pokhara, Nepal. His area of interest is Physiotherapy and Neurophysiology.
In his article, Is there Any Role of Physiotherapy in Fothergill’s Disease? (J Yoga Phys Ther 4: 162.), this pilot study emphasized the role of Physiotherapy in treatment of Fothergill’s Disease or Trigeminal Neuralia. The results of the study showed that using continuous TENS, Relaxation technique, hot moist pack over the trapezius muscles, Isometric neck exercise, nerve desensitization and behavioral modification or advice on how to manage TN, reduces pain in patients suffering from TN.
Probably what I am personally most excited about is the work that has been done by Dr. Harry Von Piekartz, PHd, M.Sc., B.Sc, FT, MT, MDAMT, IMTA, NOI, ICMMO. In 2002, Dr Piekartz was one of the main initiators of the Cranial Facial Therapy Academy (CRAFTA). In 2004 he became Fellow of the International College of CranioMandibular Orthopaedic (ICCMO) in Germany. He has written 2 books and has published several articles all relevant to head, neck and face problems.
I feel privileged to be one of the first and only 1 of about 15 Physical therapist and 1 occupational therapist in the USA to be trained by Dr. Harry Von Piekartz. In collaboration with Myopain Seminars, one of the educational bodies I teach for, Dr. Von Piekartz opened our minds up to an endless possibility of treatment options for patients suffering from head, neck and face pain. Just when you thought you had a pretty good handle on the treatment of TMD, face pain, etc.
Anyway, back to the physical therapy treatment of Trigeminal Neuralgia. Experience, empirical data and clinical evidence from micro-neurosurgery can give the physical therapist some ideas about how it may be possible to treat and try to change the pathodynamics caused by trigeminal neuralgia.
While it is too challenging to try and simplify the anatomy of the cranium (our skull) and the ways the trigeminal nerve and its blood supply may become mechanically entrapped, suffice it to say that Breig (1976) discovered that 75% of 9 groups of 24 patients with TN, demonstrated an impingement phenomenon in the foramen rotundum when you side bend your head to the opposite side. Jannetta(1976, 1990), Barba and Alksne (1984), and Jannetta and Bissonette (1985) confirmed this during neurosurgical procedures.
So what does all this mean, this means in the hands of a well-trained physical therapist (and training by Dr. Piekartz), it is possible with skilled, manual neck positioning, and jaw or mandibular positioning we can affect the trigeminal nerve, through something called Neurodynamics.
Let’s just say that our nerve tissue in our body, is like dental floss. Our nerves need the FREEDOM to move and glide and when they get restricted or stuck either by boney mechanical blocks or by soft tissue like muscle, it is imperative we restore that nerve tissue mobility and either reduce or eliminate the impingement that Breig talks about. IF we can achieve this, it is possible to reduce or eliminate the symptoms that are caused by Trigeminal Neuralgia.
Once again, I want to remind you to seek medical care that is conservative, and reversible.
I am a Pt and I have a friend with trigeminal neuralgia.
She lives in Long Island , NY
Do you know of a Physical therapist specialized in this area?
Please email me at Shidehv@yahoo.com
Thank you for reaching out to me. I will email you privately to find someone in your area that can help.
Could you please recommend a therapist near the zip code 60950?
I live in Johnson city TN would you know of anyone I could contact in my area.
The closest that I can find that has the skills she is looking for is Seth Fibario, http://cornerstoneptnc.com/ Please keep me posted. Mike Karegeannes
Anyone in or near Tallahassee FL?
I am an OTR with recent diagnosis and severe problems of TN. I am trying to learn more about possible treatments of TN before considering gamma knife or other procedures. Do you know a good PT in the Dallas, Tx area?
Please contact Lindsay Hall, her office number is 972-347-9756, address is 1000 N Preston Rd Prosper, TX 75078. They have partial direct access in TX so she will need a script to treat you. Lindsay is in a suburb of north Dallas. Best of luck, keep us posted. Mike Karegeannes
My fiancé is suffering from TN. Do you know anyone in Ky or NJ area
Is there anyone doing this in the Cincinnati area?
Hello Peggy, I appreciate you reaching out. Very sorry to hear you are suffering with TN. I apologize for the delay in responding, but it takes time to find a great PT, much less one with training in temporomandibular disorders or trigeminal neuralgia. I just emailed you Sarah Crawford’s number in the Cincinnati area. Please keep me posted of your progress. All the Best, Happy Holidays and New Year. Mike Karegeannes.
Hi, my father suffers from TMJ, and associated trigeminal neuralgia. Any one that can be of assistance in the Queens/ Long Island area of NY? Your help is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
Hope this helps your father out.
Anthony Romeo PT
Metro Physical & Aquatic Therapy
800 E Gate Blvd. Garden City, NY 11530
Phone: (516) 745-8050
Do you know of anyone in Florida? I’m in the Orlando area. Thanks!
Hello and thank you for contacting us, I would recommend Teresa Volkerson, her contact info is 1222 S Orange Ave Orlando Florida 32806. Her direct office line is (321)841-6165. Please let me know how it goes, thanks.
Do you know anyone in the Milwaukee and Las Vegas for PT with TN?
Michael Karegeannes at Freedom PT Services treats Trigeminal Neuralgia. Please give us a call or submit an appointment request.
Do you know of anyone near Easton pa?
I live in Greenville, South Carolina and suffer from TN. I also have fibromyalgia and DDD. Could you recommend a therapist anywhere near me? Thanks so much!
Sadly I don’t know a good TMD PT in your area. There are so few of us it makes it very difficult I am sorry.
I have just recently been diagnosed with TN. Do you know a therapist in the Lansing, Michigan area? Or anywhere in Michigan? Thank you so much!
Hi Ann,
Here is the link to a therapy clinic. http://www.mcdonaldpt.com/physical-therapists.html Hope this works out for you. Please let me know how it goes.
O2flynn@hotmail.com
Do you know anyone who could help me with PT in Indianapolis or surrounding areas.
Hello Michael,
I have Atypical TN from an accident. Can you tell me if this PT type treatment has been helpful with this type of nerve damage / injury?
*If so, I live in the Jacksonville, FL area and would appreciate your guidance.
*If not, what would you recommend? The constant pain / discomfort is in my upper left jaw / cheekbone area.
NOTE: Bupivacaine via the nose helps, but very little. My Neurologist wants to try an SPG-injection block using “guiding fluoroscopy”. I am a Bio-Medical Eng. and fully understand the concept and what takes place during the procedure. Does this work for Atyp.TN? If so, how long does it generally last? Would you recommend otherwise?
Hi I have trigeminal neuralgia anyone in Plano or Addison Texas
Hi Michele, thank you for inquiry. I will be emailing you a TMJ PT in the Plano Texas area shortly.
Hi Joseph, there is no PT in the Florida area with the Crafta background, however I do have a few PTs with good TMJ training in the Florida area, I will email you that list. I wish you all the luck in getting better, I know atypical TN not fun at all! This is a recent study that came out, the title is:
Prospective comparison of long-term pain relief rates after first-time microvascular decompression and stereotactic radiosurgery for trigeminal neuralgia. Here is the link for the summary: http://thejns.org/doi/abs/10.3171/2016.9.JNS16149?journalCode=jns It is so hard for me to make any other recommendations because I do not have the ability to fully evaluate you, etc. I do not know your psychosocial factors, is legal involved due to the accident, etc. It seems plausible to me that if impact of your head or face during the accident caused this, that finding a CRAFTA trained PT or a really good Osteopathic doctor, that truly treats like an osteopath, should know all the cranial mobilization techniques to see if in any way alleviating any entrapment of the nerve or trying to change the stimulus or input into the nerve could make a difference. I of course always advocate more conservative approaches first, but I also realize there are not a lot of us well trained TMD/TMJ therapists out there. Please keep me posted on what you decide or route you take. Thank you for reaching out.
Hello Michael. Thank you so much for this article. Do you know of any PT in the Huntsville, AL area? Or even in Nashville or Atlanta? Both are easy to get to from Huntsville. I’m trying to help a friend recently dx’d w/ TN. Thank you.
Hello Mishael,
I am glad the article was helpful. I will email you directly 2 excellent physical therapists that are well trained in treating TMJ/TMD and Trigeminal neuralgia in the Atlanta area. Thanks for your interest. Best of luck to your friend.
I live in Atlanta as well and would be forever grateful if you could also let me know the names of the two physical therapists you mentioned above! I am desperate for some relief!
HI Sarah, Here you go, Steve Krause in Atlanta is a legend and amazing, his website. http://www.tmdstevekraus.com/ or Savas Koutsantonis in Atlanta: https://onetherapy.com/people/savas-koutsantonis/ both are excellent TMJ physical therapists. Best of luck, keep us posted. Mike
Hi! I’m interested in seeing a PT in the Atlanta area for TN. Please forward their contact info. Thank you!
Hi Nick, I appreciate you reaching out. Steve Krause in Atlanta is a legend and amazing http://www.tmdstevekraus.com/ or Savas Koutsantonis in Atlanta: https://onetherapy.com/people/savas-koutsantonis/ both are excellent TMJ physical therapists. PLease keep us posted of your progress. All the best. Mike
Hi Nick, I am sorry to hear about your situation. Please give Steve Krause in Atlanta a call, he is a legend and amazing, his website. http://www.tmdstevekraus.com/ or Savas Koutsantonis in Atlanta: https://onetherapy.com/people/savas-koutsantonis/ both are excellent TMJ physical therapists. Please keep us posted. All the best. Mike
hello,
My husband has been dealing with atypical trigeminal neurlagia/neuropathy for 2.5 years, progressively worsening. Constant burning, pain and numbness with intermittent stabbing pain, no triggers, just random. Using gabapentin and tegretal. Sleepy, but can’t stand it otherwise. Getting acupuncture with no real improvement. Can you recommend anyone to help in the Cleveland, OH area? Doctors just say we have to keep trying meds, no nerve compression or obvious cause seen. They don’t recommend surgery except for possible implantation of a continuous epidural type thing, and only after fully exhausting all meds and doses. He has been in constant discomfort for 2.5 yrs. Depressing. Thanks for any help.
Hello Lora – Thank you very much for you post. I am very sorry to hear about your husbands struggles and suffering with trigeminal neuralgia. I unfortunately do not know any PTs skilled in TMD and Craniofacial pain or Trigeminal Neuralgia in the Cleveland area. However I am a member of the American Academy of Orofacial Pain and Dr. Pinto in your area is a member as well. Here is the link to his website. Have you met with him yet? https://www.drandrespinto.com/ Thanks for your post, please let me know your thoughts! I hope you husband finds relief. Sincerely, Mike
Thank you so much for such a quick reply! I apreciate you suggesting we contact Dr. Pinto. We had not heard of him before, and will definitely reach out to him. You are such a kind man, for your work in this area and to answer everyone who writes to you. Thank you again for your suggestion and your well wishes, I hope everyone who struggles with this awful pain finds relief!
Hello, is there someone you can suggest in New Jersey to help with TN pain?
Hello Sara, Thanks for the inquiring. Sorry to hear you are dealing with TN. Please click this link: http://www.ptbcct.org/content.aspx?page_id=78&club_id=37001 It should take you to the PTBCCT, Physical Therapy Board of Craniofacial and Cervical Therapeutics. I am the VP on the board, and Jeff Mannheimer is the President. He is in New Jersey, but honestly I know all those people well in NJ, they are all excellent. Please let me know if this helps! All the best, Mike
Do you know of any PT in the San Francisco Bay Area, preferably in the East Bay? Thanks. Maria
Thanks for your inquiring. I am sorry to hear you are dealing with TN. Please use this link to the PTBCCT, The Physical Therapy Board of Craniofacial Cervical Therapeutics. I am the VP on the Board and this link should take you to 4 CCTT’s in CA http://www.ptbcct.org/content.aspx?page_id=78&club_id=37001 within that group Patricia Rudd PT is excellent and her husband is an orofacial Dentist there as well, Dr. Chuck McNeill! They have a great group right in San fran and should be able to help!
https://www.ucsfdentalcenter.org/clinic/orofacial-pain-and-sleep-dentistry-faculty-clinic-parnassus
Best of Luck, Mike
Hi,
I need to start PT. I was wondering if you have a recommendation for a PT in Chicago, IL that deals with TN/TMD/MS?
(Or, just one of the above conditions?)
Thank you 😊
Hello Gretchen, Thank you for your inquiring. There is an excellent Physical Therapy Group and TMD specialist located in Downtown Chicago. The company name is PT Renaissance http://www.ptrenaissance.com/ Dr. Jennifer Hobson is the owner and has similar training to myself, but the rest of her staff is trained in TMD as well. Best of luck, let me know how it goes. Sincerely, Mike
I’ve suffer from trigeminal pain. Is there any one in the Kansas city area? Thank you
Hi, I’ve been diagnosed with TN and really don’t want to take meds continuously. Do you know of anyone near Charlotte, NC? Thank you
Hello, Katrina thank you so much for your question, unfortunately the only 2 PTs near your area I know and are excellent are in Arden and Greensboro, which both appear to be about 2 hours away, sorry☹ If you think you would drive to see them let me know and I will get you their names. Thanks, Mike
Hi I also suffer from TN Can you give me the name of the PT in Greensboro NC
Do you have any recommendations for the Athens, GA area? Thank you so much for helping us become aware of the potential help through PT.
Hello Michele, I really appreciate you reaching out, unfortunately, I don’t know anyone in Athens, but Steve Krause in Atlanta is a legend and amazing, but I realize he is about 90 minutes away, here is his website. http://www.tmdstevekraus.com/ or Savas Koutsantonis in Atlanta: https://onetherapy.com/people/savas-koutsantonis/ both are excellent TMJ physical therapists.
Greetings! Thank you so much for your work and posting this article. Can you recommend a practitioner in the Washington DC area?
Hello Chan, Thanks so much for your comment. I would recommend reaching out to Jodi Barth at the Center for Facial Recovery http://facialrecovery.com/ She and her team are about 30 minutes from DC, Unfortunately I do not know of anyone in DC at this time. Please keep me posted, best of luck!
Hello,
A chiropractor hurt my neck spine area over a year ago and I have been seeing a physical therapist since that time for what they called soft tissue injury. Sometimes during this last year of therapy I am starting to get this electric shock like pain in my left cheek and then the pain will continue after it but feels more of a dull pain. She is having me do neck strengthen exercises and I normally feel this type of electric pain in the first day or two after she has me do these neck exercises. They are chin tucks, then side to side and a turning of the head motion. It is more isometrics style with some resistance. I mentioned to her that I was getting this electric pain in my cheek and she said she knows nothing about why this is happening. I am worried. Is there anyone in the St. Louis Missouri area that can help me with what you do…?
Hello, I am very sorry to hear about your situation. I have reached out to some contacts in the St. Louis area that I know. I hope to have someone for you in the next day or so. To my knowledge there is no one with the similar certifications etc which signify a specific level of training for TMJ and craniofacial issues, but let’s see what I can find. Thanks, Mike
Hi!
My father was recently in a MVA and fractured the odontiod process of C2. He was fused from C2-C4 two weeks ago by a neurosurgeon in Boston. Now he’s showing symptoms that appear to be trigeminal neuralgia. He was put on gabapentin 2 days ago. Can you recommend a PT in the Salem, MA area?
Thanks so much!
Dear Kim, I am very, very sorry to hear about your Dad. I hope that he will continue to recover and do well. I have exhausted my contacts and I have even contacted some PTs in the Salem area but none feel confident helping with any potential Trigeminal Neuralgia. I am also a member of the AAOP, American Academy of Orofacial Pain, here is a link to dentists who specialize in orofacial pain in the Boston area http://www.aaop.org/content.aspx?page_id=2720&club_id=508439 . I think it would make sense to call a few of them, hopefully they work with PTs in Salem or close by and would have a good recommendation. Please keep me posted, best of luck to your Dad in his recovery. Thanks!
Hi,
My mom was diagnosed with TN a while back, and unfortunately hasn’t found any relief. Do you know of any good PT place around Los Angeles, California? Thank you, your guidance is truly appreciated!
Dear Allie, thanks for reaching out I am very sorry to hear about your Mom. Kamesha Nabors PT is someone who comes highly recommended in LA. Please let us know what you think of her!
BodySync Physical Therapy
Physical therapy clinic in Los Angeles, California
Address: 2313 Westwood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064
Phone: (310) 948-2061
If anyone would like direct help from Mike Karegeannes, he does phone consultations, with video if need be to assess and help you self-treat your condition. https://www.treatingtmj.com/tmj-phone-consultation/ This service can save you time and money when searching for answers to head, neck, and jaw pain. More importantly, it can help get you on the right track to be free of pain!
Thank you so much for your article. I have TN and have been trying to get it under control since a serious flareup in May. Would you be able to recommend anyone in the Vancouver, British Columbia area? I’m also willing to travel to any other province in Canada. Thank you in advance.
Hi Bal, I am sorry to hear about this. Please give these 2 excellent PTs a call in Vancouver, they should be able to help. ALl the best, please keep us posted. Thanks, Mike
Vancouver, BC Canada
Maria Zerjav and Sarah Kennedy
Phone
604-731-6222
Company
Westside Physiotherapy and Hand Clinic
Title
BSc(H) Psych, BScPT, CCTT, CODN
Address
303-2150 West Broadway
I have been trying to manage my pain for TN since June 2018. Medicine helped for a little while, but pain has resurfaced and continues to flare. Is there anyone you can refer who can help in the San Antonio, TX area?
Hello Amber, I am sorry to hear about this. I would highly suggest you email Mark Strickland, he is an amazing TMJ Therapists with a ton of experience in Austin, Tx so maybe 70 minutes away?He would be glad to help. His email address is mark.strickland@atipt.com. Please keep us posted, best of luck. Mike
I have been dealing with pain since October of 2014. I live in Indianapolis. Is there anyone in this area that can help? I’ve tried so many meds and Botox. Thanks in advance.
Hi Stacey, I am sorry to hear about this. Please give Punam a call. She is excellent. Please keep us posted. All the best in your recovery. Thanks, Mike
Punam Hills, PT, DPT, OCS
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Board Certified Orthopedic Clinical Specialist
Center Coordinator of Clinical Education
Body One Physical Therapy
7855 South Emerson Ave, Ste W
Indianapolis, IN 46237
P: 317-889-5340
Michael,
Would you be so kind as to email me Sarah Crawford’s contact info in the Cincinnati area? Better yet, is there someone in the Lexington, KY or Louisville, KY area?
It is possible that I am experiencing some TN from an Acoustic Shock Injury (ASI). I am trying an anticonvulsant medication right now and want to keep exploring other options that might help.
Thanks,
Brian Craig
Hi Brian, thank you for reaching out. Very sorry to hear about your situation following acoustic shock injury? Is it safe to assume you have seen an ENT? If you are comfortable and be willing to share for the benefit of others, what other treatments have you tried?
In addition have you tried:
1. Solid and/or musician’s filtered ear protection which can frequently assist in maintaining or facilitating your ability to try and desensitize your situation and then possibly gradually reduce their use.
2. Have you been fitted with digital signal processing in-the-ear hearing aids set up to act as electronic filters, by using compression to reduce volume levels of all sounds down to a normal conversational speech volume range. This avoids over-protection of the ears while at the same time providing effective protection against loud sounds.
I will email you a research article on ACI and trigeminal neuralgia or at least a possible explanation of how your trigeminal system might be effected.
Finally I would recommend consulting with Dr. Jeff Okeson, he is in Lexington, Ky He is a legend in the TMD world and I think would certainly be an excellent resource. You can reach him at:
Phone 859-323-8901
University of Kentucky, College of Dentistry
740 S. Limestone St., Rm E-214
Lexington, KY 40536-0284
Gina New is a PT I know and is skilled in TMD, but she is in Covington, KY.
Keep us posted please on your progress. All the best. Mike
Would Dr Okeson be a good person to see for TN? Is he a dentist? I work for UK and have TN diagnosed 5 years ago and have been slowly getting worse. I have numbness on that side of my face along with a few other new things. My now I have super sensitive teeth and my current dentist cannot find a reason. I think it is due to the nerve. Just even running my tongue over my teeth is sensitive. I just stumbled across your blog here searching for dentists that might know about TN. Thanks!!
Terri, thanks so much for reading my blog. I happened to attend a week-long symposium that Dr. Okeson puts on each year in June of 2019. He would be an excellent resource and health care TMD expert if you can get in to see him and yes he is a dentist with years of experience in TMD and has published many, many books on the subject! Please keep me posted!! I wish you the very best of luck. Mike Karegeannes
Hi. Can you make a recommendation in the warminster, pa area? Thank you.
My hubby had Nasal Squamous Cell Cancer in 2004; RADIATION Treatment resulted in ever increasing, constant facial pain in his left cheek & upper lip, spreading to the side of his face up to across from his eye as well as down to his chin. He has been put through various surgeries and treatments resulting in no decrease in pain, let alone complete pain abatement. Can you suggest any doctor in the NW AZ area?
Hello Kay, sorry to hear this about your husband, can you please be a little more specific as to what city you are close to? Or what cities are near you so I can offer some suggestions? Thanks
I am a PT interested in learning more to treat TN. I have a basic background in TMJ treatment, but would be interested in getting additional training or articles. I have been seeing more and more patients with TN and am very interested in the neurodynamic approach. Any recommendations?
Hello Katie, Thanks for reaching out. Well in my opinion, if you have a basic background in TMJ, you need to at least take a really good 2 day TMJ course like mine for example, https://www.treatingtmj.com/tmd-course/ or any other one you can find, get a few cases behind you, then sign up for the Crafta series through Myopain https://www.myopainseminars.com/course/cranial-facial-pain-academy-1.5 . The crafta program is wonderful, but advanced so highly recommend therapists come with a very good understanding of how to evaluate, diagnose and treat TMD first. I hope this helps. Sincerely, Mike
I have atypical trigeminal neuralgia. Do you have someone you could refer me to
in Minnesota?
Hello Melissa, I am sorry to hear about this, is it safe to assume you went to Mayo? if so and they were of no help, I would encourage you to see Dr. Eric Schiffman or Dr. Fricton at https://mhnpc.com/team/ the Minnesota Head and Neck Pain Clinic, there PT at their St Paul office Emily is fantastic. I hope you find relief, please keep us posted! Sincerely, Mike
Dr. Eric Schiffman and Dr. James Fricton are both nationally recognized for their skills in manual neck positioning, and jaw or mandibular positioning and treatment.
I have been suffering from left side facial pain for 15 yrs. It is now 24/7 and I’m taking 400 mg ibuprofen every 6 hrs of every day. Ear, upper/lower teeth, cheek are all involved. Is there a PT in Raleigh NC or Richmond VA you could recommend? I’m between the 2 cities. Thank you
Hello Sally, I am very sorry to hear about this and hope that you are able to find relief. Have you seen Dr. Keith Yount in Raleigh NC http://raleighfacialpain.com/ ? He is a TMD dental specialist and should be able to help, and HOPEFULLY he works with a very good PT that can help your case. Please keep us posted on your progress. Sincerely Mike
Looking for help with managing Trigeminal Neuralgia pain- currently on meds and have had a gamma knife procedure a little over a year ago. It help lessen the intensity of the pain for awhile but the episodes are almost daily now. Living in northern VA area. Are you aware of any support groups in this area?
Hello Pat, I am sorry to hear about this, are you close to Reston Hospital Center? https://restonhospital.com/service/trigeminal-neuralgia I dont know if they might have some insight given they claim to treat Trigeminal Neuralgia, etc? Also according the Facial Pain Association these Doctors claim to be experts in Trigeminal neuralgia in Virginia, possibly one of their offices could offer assistance on a support group Jason Sheehan, MD, PhD – Charlottesville – Neurosurgeon
K. Singh Sahni, MD, FACS – Richmond – Neurosurgeon and Zhiyuan Xu, MD – Charlottesville – Neurosurgeon. Please keep us posted and let us know for others what you were able to find. I wish you well, Sincerely Mike
My son David has had PHN following shingles for 5 months with pain ranging from a 4 -10. He lives in Corona CA. Is there an option for him in that area or do you have another suggestion that might help. He has had to go out for on disability and he is younger than 40. Looking for anything other than surgery to disrupt the pain.
Hello Sharon, Thanks for reaching out, I am sorry to hear about your son. So I do not know anyone in Corona, but about 45 minutes away in LA, I would encourage you to see Dr. Victoria Wexley http://wexleymedical.com/ or I was very impressed with this Neurologist I recently heard speak at the American Academy of Orofacial Pain Dr. Hossein Ansari, MD https://providers.ucsd.edu/details/32490/hossein-ansari-neurology-san_diego . I hope these leads help and your son finds relief, please keep us posted! Sincerely, Mike
Hi, I have been suffering with TN for 15 yrs. Now is TN2, My pain is getting worst. My neurologist gave up due to all medications now they don’t help me at all, which they could reduce my pain in the past. Before getting MVD surgery, I want to try the PT. Could you tell me any PT in my area, Anaheim, California.
Thank you so much.
Hello Marissa, Thank you very much for reaching out. I am sorry to hear about this. I do not know anyone in Anaheim, but about 28 miles away in LA (which I realize could take 2 hours), I would encourage you to see Dr. Victoria Wexley http://wexleymedical.com/ or I was very impressed with this Neurologist I recently heard speak at the American Academy of Orofacial Pain Dr. Hossein Ansari, MD https://providers.ucsd.edu/details/32490/hossein-ansari-neurology-san_diego . Trigeminal neuralgia is certainly his area of expertise, and he would be able to make sure you were even diagnosed correctly to begin with. I hope these leads help, please keep us posted! Sincerely, Mike
Hi Mike,
My husband is a trombone player and has been suffering from upper lip nerve pain and muscle fatigue for about 2 years, but does not seem to have a muscle tear. It doesn’t affect his quality of playing. In the last year it has also been complicated by stomach pain and hiatal hernia. No symptoms of focal dystonia however. Can you recommend any MDs or PTs that have experience working with brass players? We live in Jackson, MS but are willing to drive far if needed. Thank you for the article and all the advice! Sincerely appreciated
Hello Eva, Thank you for your comment. I am sorry to hear about your husbands situation. I used to play trumpet for many years, so I am empathetic to all the performing artists out there that suffer numerous injuries from playing their instrument of choice or using their voice etc. I think most people, including health professionals are not aware or understand these problems. Anyway Have you 2 heard of Lucinda Lewis? Lucinda Lewis, author of Broken Embouchures, Embouchure Rehabilitation, and the Buzz Pipe Book, as well as numerous articles on embouchure, has been the principal horn of the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra since 1977. She has participates as a member of the faculty in the Performing Arts Medical Association annual symposium in Aspen, Colorado and given numerous presentations on embouchure health and performance injuries. Here is her link http://www.embouchures.com/index.html I would suggest before you do any traveling, etc contact her, provide her a video of your husband playing, she provides instructions, etc… She also has an embochure retraining program that could very well be the solution to your husbands situation. If not I think she will be able to provide more direction in medical professionals in the USA that could help if what she provides or suggests does not work. Can you please be sure to let us know if she was able to help! All the best, Sincerely, Mike
do you know a TN PT for Brooklyn, ny or nearby?
Hello Karin, I hope you are doing ok. I would recommend Eveline Erni, she is in Manhattan, but worth the trip, https://www.pivotalpt.com/ Please keep us posted, thanks. Mike
Hello Michael
I’ve suffered with TN for years on the left side and have had Gamma Knife surgery due to all medications not being effective any longer. Unfortunately I have numbness and tingling sensation now throughout my face and mouth. Just this last month have noticed TN on the right side of my face and jaw. I’m desperate to find anyone that can help me in the Grand Rapids Mi area that can help. Unfortunately the Medical field and Drs are not sure what to do. Thanks
Hello Scott, I am sorry to hear about this. I just came from a week long orofacial pain residency with Dr. Jeff Okeson at the University of Kentucky, College of Dental School, and Trigeminal neuralgia was one of the topics of discussion. Ok so the closest Physical therapist I know with excellent skills in TMD is Kerry Baker, of Remedy Physical Therapy, she is in Bay City, MI which appears to be about 98 miles from you or so, here is her weblink https://remedy.pt/ . I would think it would be worth an evaluation from her to see if she can help provide you some relief, management tools, etc. Please keep us posted. I wish you well. Sincerely, Mike
Hello, I am a TN sufferer for 15 years or more. Have had Gamma Knife 2 times and MVD, Gamma Knife worked for awhile but the surgery didn’t at all. I am also desperate like others to fine some other alternative help . I live in East Tennessee, ( Knoxville), do you know of anyone in the area that can help me? Thank you so much for anything.
Hi. Any PTs that you know of in MT who could help with TN? Thanks.
My mother has been suffering with TN for a couple of years. Do you know of a good PT in the Akron/Canton or Cleveland, OH area that treats this?
Hi!
My dad has been suffering from TN & he’s bummed that his only treatment options right now are anti convulsants meds and potentially future surgery. Do you know of any certified cervical and temporomandibular therapists in the Houston, TX area?
Hello Chesney, I am sorry to hear about your Dad, it is not a fun condition. Sadly there are no CCTTs in the Houston Area. There are 2 excellent CCTTs in the Austin area, but I know that is about 2.5 hours away. Let me know if you want their names and contact info. I wish your Dad all the best. Sincerely, Mike
Hi. I read your article with great interest. I started suffering from TN the last few weeks, my husband is a PT and has done some treatments but I wonder where else we can get more information about techniques. I am trying to avoid anti convulsants. Thank you
Hi Maureen, the owner of Freedom also runs a site called treatingtmj.com. There is more information on the site about TN and other Jaw, Head, and Neck conditions. If you have any other questions, let us know, and I will pass along to Mike to try and get them answered. Have a wonderful day!
Hi Mike, do you know of any therapists in the Fort Lauderdale, FL area? I am also trying to avoid meds. Thanks!
Thanks for the informative article!I was diagnosed with typical(TN) 3 years ago now and live in the coastal region of Oregon.Does anyone over here practice this specialized treatment?I went through the list and didnt see anyone?Also I want to ask if an individual suffering from (TN) could benefit any with simple exercises like chin tucks and chi-gong side to side head turning?TY again for the great post I will try tot educate myself on neurodynamics.
I am suffering from debilitating pain from unconfirmed TN and I am hoping for relief….any suggestions for PT in the 10709 zip code (Westchester county) NY thanks 🙏🏼
Anyone near or in Tallahassee FL?
I Was recently diagnosed with TN. Would you happen to know of anyone in Minnesota preferably around the Twin Cities and or Saint cloud area? Thanks
wadenshell@gmail.com
Hello, I am sorry to hear this. Please see if you can get in to be treated by Craig Sather, https://mhnpc.com/team/craigsather/
Please keep us posted, wishing you successful relief from your symptoms.
Sincerely,
Mike
My mother is suffering from TN and TMJ. Is there anyone close to the Bradley/Bourbonnais area in Illinois that could help with this?
Nicanor Cotiangco – 350 N Wall St, Kankakee, Illinois, 60901-2901. Phone:815-935-7514
My daughter-in-law lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. She has been diagnosed with TN.
Could you recommend a physical therapist in Charlotte that specializes in TN? I appreciate your assistance. Thank you very much.
Hello, thanks for reading this. I have tried my best to research acupuncturists and physical therapists that deal with TN. I live in Portland, Maine and the closest I have found is in Boston (which I will have to go if there is no one closer to me. I was wondering if you can find one in my area. I appreciate every bit of help that you can give me. Thank you. Cynthia Simpson
Looking for a PT in NYC who specializes in TN. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.
Please suggest someone in Colorado Springs, Colorado, for TN management. Thank you.
Hi, Can you recommend anyone in the Melbourne Beach, Florida 32951 area. I currently go to a physical therapist, John Ryan, and he has helped me tremendously, but I am not sure if he is trained in the procedure that is referenced in your article.
Thank you!
Kathie O’Keefe
I have had TN for several years now and I am on 4 or 5 meds because I keep having breakthrough episodes. I am in the Hampton Roads, VA area, is there anyone in this area who could help?
What a fantastic post! This blog is so full of useful information i can’t wait to dig deep and start utilizing the resources you have given me.
Would you PLEASE recommend anyone in Riverside/Los Angeles area. Im suffering from Middle ear Myoclonus and occipital neuralgia and it’s been consuming my life 😔 lizgilunitedparents@gmail.com
I am a physician assistant in the Tampa Bay area of Florida with a few patients with bad TM. Are you aware of any physical therapists in my area who specialize in this treatment?
Hi, my mom has been suffering from TN for a couple years now and her quality of life is really being affected. She lives in lake havasu, so I’m wondering if you know of anyone in Las Vegas or phoenix who could help her? Thanks so much
Hi, my 70 year old mother is suffering from cronic TN, medication helps, but her dosis has been increased after a while and does not help on some days much. Do you know any PT in the Miami, FL area? Thank you!