Trigeminal Neuralgia is a chronic condition that affects the trigeminal or 5th cranial nerve which is the largestnerves in the head.  Symptoms include extreme, sporadic, sudden burning or shock-like facial pain that lasts from a few seconds to two minutes.  These episodes can occur in quick successions with intensity that can be physically or mentally incapacitating.

In TCM (Traditional Chinese medicine), trigeminal neuralgia is a result of several possible causes.  In general, it is related to the Liver, Gall Bladder or Stomach systems.  Over consumption of spicy  food or deep fried food will result in excessive Heat in these three systems.  It can also be combined with excessive Heat and Phlegm.  During summer, it occurs more frequently with the Heat combined with Wind to cause Qi stagnation in the meridians in the face.  Other possible causes include chronic illness causing Blood stasis.

Once the cause is properly diagnosed, acupuncture is very effective in removing the root causes and the pain.