Fothergill’s Disease (FD) also known as Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain. If you have trigeminal neuralgia, even mild stimulation of your face — such as from brushing your teeth or putting on makeup — may trigger a jolt of excruciating pain.

Trigeminal neuralgia is manifested by severe, paroxysmal facial pain. The classical type involves compression of the trigeminal nerve root. Sodium-channel blockers are the first-choice treatment; if they are unsuccessful, vascular decompression or ablative procedures may be used.

- Topical treatments. Some over-the-counter and prescription topical treatments — like creams, lotions, gels, and patches — can ease nerve pain. …
- Anticonvulsants. …
- Antidepressants. …
- Painkillers. …
- Electrical stimulation. …
- Other techniques. …
- Complementary treatments. …
- Lifestyle changes.

Symptoms
Trigeminal neuralgia symptoms may include one or more of these patterns:
- Episodes of severe, shooting, or jabbing pain that may feel like an electric shock
- Spontaneous attacks of pain or attacks triggered by things such as touching the face, chewing, speaking, or brushing teeth
- Bouts of pain lasting from a few seconds to several minutes
- Episodes of several attacks lasting days, weeks, months, or longer — some people have periods when they experience no pain
- A constant aching, burning feeling that may occur before it evolves into the spasm-like pain of trigeminal neuralgia
- Pain in areas supplied by the trigeminal nerve, including the cheek, jaw, teeth, gums, lips, or less often the eye and forehead
- Pain affecting one side of the face at a time though may rarely affect both sides of the face
- Pain focused in one spot or spread in a wider pattern
- Attacks that become more frequent and intense over time
When to see a doctor
If you experience facial pain, particularly prolonged or recurring pain or pain unrelieved by over-the-counter pain relievers, see your doctor.
Causes
In trigeminal neuralgia, also called tic douloureux, the trigeminal nerve’s function is disrupted. Usually, the problem is contact between a normal blood vessel — in this case, an artery or a vein — and the trigeminal nerve at the base of your brain. This contact puts pressure on the nerve and causes it to malfunction.
Trigeminal neuralgia can occur as a result of aging, or it can be related to multiple sclerosis or a similar disorder that damages the myelin sheath protecting certain nerves. Trigeminal neuralgia can also be caused by a tumor compressing the trigeminal nerve.
Some people may experience trigeminal neuralgia due to a brain lesion or other abnormalities. In other cases, surgical injuries, stroke, or facial trauma may be responsible for trigeminal neuralgia.
Triggers
A variety of triggers may set off the pain of trigeminal neuralgia, including:
- Shaving
- Touching your face
- Eating
- Drinking
- Brushing your teeth
- Talking
- Putting on makeup
- Encountering a breeze
- Smiling
- Washing your face
Massage, Acupressure Points & Exercises for Trigeminal Neuralgia
Massage
Stretching nerves – whether it is the trigeminal nerve or the greater or lesser occipital nerve – cause a reflex effect allowing edema to exit the problematic nerve. This reduction of edema decreases the swelling of the nerve and improves its blood flow – resulting in improved function and reduced nerve pain.
Massage therapy may be beneficial for patients with nerve damage or tingling and burning sensations in the skin, hands, and feet. Caregivers may administer massage therapy, but a trained therapist can be more effective in pinpointing the proper areas and using the right amounts of pressure.
“Some individuals manage trigeminal neuralgia using complementary techniques, usually in combination with drug treatment.” Although they list low-impact exercise, yoga, and visualization among other approaches, there is no mention massage therapy. In my limited experience, massage therapy for TN has relieved everyone who has attempted it. From what I understand of this condition, it progresses over time. As the tissues become more compressed, the pain becomes more intense. If heat and massage can soften, mobilize, and relieve pain elsewhere in the body as it does, it can certainly relieve at least some of those cases of TN. It only makes sense to try therapeutic massage before administering drugs or performing surgeries.
Reference:
- NIH Trigeminal Neuralgia Fact Sheet http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/trigeminal_neuralgia/detail_trigeminal_neuralgia.htm.
Acupressure Points
For facial neuralgia, the protocol utilized local points of TH 17 and 21, GB2, SI 18, ST 2, 3 and 7, GV 26 and LI 20; systemic points included TH 5, LI 4, ST 36, ST 44, ST 45 and LIV 3. Auricular acupuncture points were also used (Shen Men, neuro, face, and lung points).
Exercises
Desensitisation Exercises
Desensitization exercises are a way to retrain the skin and superficial tissues when there is hypersensitivity. For example, cotton wool can be stroked on the painful area for a minute a day, progressing to several times a day, as the skin and tissue adapt to the increased strength of the stimulus. After a while, the cotton wool can be replaced by a cotton cloth and eventually rougher fibers can be used.
more info @ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trigeminal_neuralgia https://www.treatingtmj.com/treatment/trigeminal-neuralgia-physical-therapy-treatment-approach/ https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320045 https://www.massagetoday.com/articles/15193/Massage-Therapy-and-Trigeminal-Neuralgia https://www.ninds.nih.gov/Disorders/Patient-Caregiver-Education/Fact-Sheets/Trigeminal-Neuralgia-Fact-Sheet https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31668629/ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214751919301410 https://www.scienceofmassage.com/2019/03/case-of-the-month-issue-1-2019/

Please consult your healthcare provider with any questions or concerns you may have regarding your condition.
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