P.S., a 69-year-old male, had been experiencing facial pain for over 10 years. However, the pain had intensified significantly in the last two months. Everyday activities such as brushing teeth and chewing food would trigger severe pain akin to electric shocks. Additionally, P.S. was a heavy smoker, and his tongue exhibited a red color with a thick yellow coating. From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, these symptoms indicated the presence of pathogenic fire and retention of phlegm.
To address his condition, I administered a combination of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine. After three treatment sessions, P.S. began to experience a reduction in pain. By the eighth session, the pain had completely subsided. I continued to monitor his condition for a period of two years, during which time he remained free from facial pain.
It is important to note that Trigeminal Neuralgia is an extremely painful condition. From a TCM perspective, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to the development of pathogenic fire and retentive phlegm, which can disrupt blood circulation in the facial region and affect the nerves, resulting in pain. Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine can help improve local blood and mucus circulation, as well as facilitate the repair of damaged nerves. The majority of neuralgia patients I have treated with these modalities have experienced positive outcomes and relief from their symptoms.