Non-medical or alternative therapy for Trigeminal neuralgia is for the select few patients who do not want either medication or surgery.
Why do people choose/seek non-medical or alternative therapy for Trigeminal neuralgia?
The vast majority of patients who are diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia go on medication or consider some sort of surgery. However, some people give up on it because
- they have not worked,
- or have led to unbearable side-effects,
- or they are plain simple afraid of getting operated.
Is there any evidence for alternative treatment for TN?
Since there is no evidence for one treatment being better or worse than the other, it is difficult to choose or recommend any. And there is no dearth of disillusionment here. What works for one may not work for another.
What is CAM or Complementary and Alternative Medicine?
CAM is a blanket phrase to include all therapies that are not mainstream.
Here is a list of non-medical or alternative therapy that has been used on and off over the last few decades for treatment of trigeminal neuralgia:
- Homeopathic medicines
- Naturopathy treatment
- Ayurvedic treatment
- Herbal remedies like hot pepper creams
- Food supplements
- Body manipulations/ chiropractic solutions
- Magnetotherapy and Reiki
- Hypnotism
- Fluid therapy/ water therapy
- Auto-suggestions and meditation
- Facial exercises
Homeopathic treatment of trigeminal neuralgia
Homeopathy can help with both long-time pain and acute attacks of TN. This is particularly useful in decreasing pain of atypical facial pain. Please consult a registered homeopathic practitioner for best results, because the prescription can be altered to suit the patient’s needs.
Why do people want to invest time and energy in non-medical or alternative therapy for trigeminal neuralgia?
- fear of mainstream medications
- fear of surgery
- side-effects of medications
- allergic to medications
- well-wisher suggestions
- convincing testimonials of others
- the words ‘natural’ or ‘herbal’ make these therapies less intimidating
- atypical facial pain
- lack of social and emotional support systems
Are there any home remedies for treating TN?
There are plenty circulating in support groups and on the internet. Most useful are
- avoiding pain-triggering foods,
- exploring pain-safe foods,
- homeopathic treatment,
- yoga, and exercise,
- relaxation techniques etc.
So, what’s the conclusion about non-medical or alternative therapy for trigeminal neuralgia?
There are many people who are proponents or opponents of one or the other type of treatment. On the whole, CAM is useful for those suffering from atypical TN or other causes that are not easily controlled with mainstream medicine.
In the end, it is the patient who suffers from Trigeminal neuralgia, and who knows how severe the pain can be, who will have to decide what’s best for him/ her.
Is there a permanent cure for Trigeminal Neuralgia?
We strongly believe that Microvascular Decompression surgery offers the best chance at cure and permanent relief from Trigeminal neuralgia. Choose this option early in the disease for best results. Dr Jaydev Panchwagh and his team have been performing these surgeries for more than twenty years now with a success rate of 97-98 %.