What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Trigeminal Neuralgia is a debilitating pain condition that involves one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve. The trigeminal nerve primarily carries sensory information between the face and scalp, and brain.

Sufferers often describe a shock-like, stabbing or shooting pain on one side of their face. This nerve pain can last anywhere between half a second and a few minutes. These attacks can happen once per day or up to 50 times per day. Sometimes, sufferers may describe tearing or redness in their eyes, on the same side as their facial pain [1].

At the Gold Coast Headache and Migraine Clinic, we have treated countless patients with Trigeminal Neuralgia with impressive results. Our expert headache clinicians expect to observe improvement within the first 5 treatment consultations. Plus the groundbreaking techniques we use to treat trigeminal neuralgia are medication-free, surgery-free and non-invasive!

Book a consultation with us today.

Book An Appointment

Anatomy of the Trigeminal Nerve

There are 3 branches of the Trigeminal Nerve. The Ophthalmic Branch (V1) innervates the area around your eyes, nose and from the top of your forehead, into your scalp. The Maxillary branch (V2), innervates the area from your temple, down to your cheeks and upper lip. The mandibular branch (V3), innervates the remainder of your temple and jaw, but is also associated with the muscles involved with chewing [2, 1].

Trigeminal Neuralgia Symptoms

With Trigeminal Neuralgia, attacks may last anywhere from a fraction of a second, up to 2 minutes and occasionally longer. Additionally, the nerve pain attacks may present as either shock-like, stabbing, shooting or sharp pain on one side of the face.

The frequency of attacks can be anything from 1 to 50 attacks per day. The facial pain is almost always severe in nature and may become more severe over time. Sufferers of trigeminal neuralgia pain may also experience tearing or redness in the eye on the same side as the pain.

Sufferers of Trigeminal Neuralgia are often extremely hypersensitive and report that even slight stimuli can cause painful attacks, sometimes lasting as little as seconds, or as long as minutes. Stimuli such as:

Touching the face
Brushing teeth
Chewing, or even
Speaking

Typically, the condition is more common in women (60%) than men (40%) and is more likely to occur in people aged over 50 years old.

Understanding Your Headache

What is the cause of Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Since Trigeminal Nerves are one of the largest nerves supplying the face and head, Trigeminal Neuralgia can have many causes. A common theme among many Trigeminal Neuralgia sufferers is that they have a sensitised brainstem.

A sensitised brainstem will perceive nonthreatening stimuli (such as brushing your teeth) from the Trigeminal Nerve as a potential threat and will react, creating debilitating pain where the sensory information was originally detected. This hyperexcitability of the pain sensation is due to the heightened arousal and sensitive brainstem. A sensitive brainstem will relay the sensory information to the brain, but will heighten the sensation so that the brain perceives the information as painful.

Normal daily activities, such as touching the head or face, can become “triggers” that transmit pain signals to the brain.

Organise Your Initial Assessment

What is the cause of Trigeminal Neuralgia?

As mentioned above, there are quite a few different causes of Trigeminal Neuralgia, especially with Secondary Trigeminal Neuralgia. What we see commonly in our patients who suffer from Trigeminal Neuralgia, is a sensitised brainstem and dysfunction in the cervical spine where it is located ^[1][2].

This sensitised brainstem perceives otherwise non threatening stimulus (such as chewing or brushing your teeth) and reacts as if it were a threat. The brainstem’s reaction to this threat is to cause pain along the area that the Trigeminal Nerves innervate. This is how sufferers of Trigeminal Neuralgia can experience attacks so frequently, with seemingly innocuous triggers.

About The Assessment Stage

What To Expect During The Assessment

1. Comprehensive and in-depth examination

We will perform a thorough and in-depth examination to identify all of the factors that may be related to your headaches and migraines. We will focus particularly on your upper cervical spine in our assessment.

2. Ligamental stability and vertebral arterial tests

In order to ensure the highest level of safety is maintained, we routinely will assess the stability of the important ligaments in your upper cervical spine, prior to any assessment or treatment.

3. Temporarily reproduce your headache and migraine symptoms

During our assessment and treatment process, we will be applying gentle and specific pressure to your upper cervical spine in order to temporarily reproduce your headache symptoms. This helps us to identify the specific cause of your headaches.

Types of Trigeminal Neuralgia

1. Classical Trigeminal Neuralgia (Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia)

This is when the only cause of Trigeminal neuralgia is due to neurovascular compression. This often happens due to damage of a nerve, around the trigeminal nerve root in the brainstem, because of compression by an artery or vein. Further; ‘Primary Paroxysmal’ Classical Trigeminal Neuralgia, indicates that the sufferer has pain free periods. Whereas, Concomitant Continuous pain, suggests that the sufferer experiences mild pain between attacks [1].

2. Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia

This subtype of trigeminal neuralgia presents with facial pain that is less severe and more constant compared to classic TN. The pain is often described as dull, aching, burning, or stabbing and may involve multiple branches of the trigeminal nerve.

3. Secondary Trigeminal Neuralgia

When an underlying disease causes Trigeminal Neuralgia, it is classified as Secondary Trigeminal Neuralgia. This might be from Multiple Sclerosis, tumour or arteriovenous malformation [1].

4. Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain (TNP)

Trigeminal neuropathic pain is a broader term that encompasses various chronic facial pain syndromes resulting from damage or dysfunction of the trigeminal nerve. It may include conditions such as postherpetic neuralgia (resulting from shingles), traumatic neuropathy (due to facial trauma), or other neuropathic pain disorders affecting the trigeminal nerve.

5. Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia

Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia is when a sufferer experiences the symptoms of Trigeminal Neuralgia, but there is no apparent cause found on investigation. This can suggest pathology or sensitivity of the brainstem may be involved ^[1].

As with Classical Trigeminal Neuralgia, it can be classified as ‘Purely paroxysmal’ or “Concomitant Continuous Pain”. Approximately half of all Trigeminal Neuralgia Patients experience continuous pain.

Trigeminal Neuralgia is commonly not diagnosed, or misdiagnosed, for long periods of time due to the similarity in its symptoms from those of migraine and cluster headaches.

How Do I Know If I Have Trigeminal Neuralgia?

(Attacks fulfilling criteria A-E)

A. Duration	Sudden and brief recurring attacks from a fraction of a second to 2 minutes
B. Location	Unilateral pain often in the area of the trigeminal nerve which are located in the: – Face – Forehead or eye – Temple – Jaw – Cheek – Toward the top of the head
C. Quality of pain	Shooting, stabbing or electric shock-like pain
D. Severity	Severe intensity
E. Other characteristics	Unpleasant or painful sensations (dysaesthesia and/or allodynia) in response to light touch or gentle stimulation of the face

Treating trigeminal neuralgia

Our Treatment – Trigeminal Neuralgia

Many of our patients who suffer from this condition have tried many different trigeminal neuralgia treatment options, including:

Strong pain relief medication
Anticonvulsant medication
Botox Injections
Surgical treatments

In some cases, these medical and surgical treatments can alleviate the symptoms of trigeminal neuralgia. Certain surgical treatment of trigeminal neuralgia, such as microvascular decompression can also carry a risk of potentially serious complications such as facial numbness, hearing loss, stroke, and even death. Despite all of these treatment options, sufferers may still find themselves having painful attacks, this is sometimes referred to as refractory trigeminal neuralgia.

This is where Gold Coast Headache and Migraine Clinic can help. We are trained to specifically assess your cervical spine and the sensitivity of your brainstem, to see if they are the true cause of your Trigeminal Neuralgia. If that’s the case, then we can start treatment immediately, to cure the cause of your pain and not just cover up the symptoms.

Treatment will be addressing the dysfunction in your cervical spine, and then will aim to desensitise your brainstem with our world-leading manual techniques. Once treatment has started, we expect to see rapid results within the first 6 sessions, as we do with 85-90% of our patients. The best bit is that it is gentle, safe, non-invasive and medication-free.

What our clients have said

Excellent

4.9

Andrea Duffy

After being diagnosed with Sunct Trigeminal Neuralgia I was seeking treatment without drugs. After 2 months of treatments with Kevin I'm now pain free. Well worth the effort for a fantastic result, thanks team.

Sarah Jane

Seeing Doug & the team at BHMC has really changed my life, and I’m really grateful for the ongoing care and support. I used to think I had bad vertigo & I would feel dizzy and faint and light headed and nauseous all day everyday and couldn’t work, couldn’t do housework, couldn’t walk my dog, could barely stay standing to shower all because I had been walking around with an unaligned c2 &c3 in my neck due to years of bad posture and constantly hunching over at my desk at work or my head down looking at my phone all day. Migraines 2-3 times a week, constantly feeling pressure in my head and sharp pain, unable to sleep a full nights sleep, and not reacting well at all to prescription medications like valium, replax, and others. I finally got health insurance and headed into BHMC and in the 1st consultation, I was advised of a detailed diagnosis and knew I was in the right place to get help. I’d been struggling everyday for over a year with migraines, had to quit jobs, and was mentally struggling due to these physical symptoms, it was awful. I really wish i’d gone to get physio sooner! Please go and see BHMC, I have been in physio for less than 6 months (probably 10-15 appointments) and have never felt better and more stable. If you go here, try the sessions, buy the pillow, sit up straight, do the exercises, I promise you’ll be better off! Doug has been amazing & so professional, he really knows what hes doing. All the office team is lovely as well!

Samuel Cox

I have been seeing Dr. Woo for about 6 months now and he has been helping me manage my migraines fantastically. I used to get on average 2 migraines a month, now I have gone 4 months with no migraines. The cause of my migraines was very quickly diagnosed and its clear the team here prioritise the goal of self management, not the reliance on medication and continuous appointments. Can recommend to anyone who suffers from Chronic Migraines, it may well be a life changer for you.

Han Wang

My headache problem has been lasting for many years and I suffer from it more frequently from the last 18 months. The quality of my life before treatment was affected tremendously. I simply couldn't enjoy lots of activities when headache attacks occur. I started my headache treatment from the last few weeks and it has been very effective. It is very obvious to how I feel around my neck before and after the treatment. I haven't had any headache episode since. I highly recommend this clinic and the physician named Douglas. He is courteous, gentle, very caring and most amazingly very knowledgeable and skillful. He was able to diagnose my headache issue and provide detailed explainations about my treatment plan and future preventative guidance. I wish I had found this clinic earlier and for anyone who is suffering from headaches you should definitely give it a go. Overall it's a nice and clean clinic, easy public transport and parking. Helpful and friendly admin staff too. Thank you Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic Sunnybank Hills.

Celeste Cover

My healthy 7yr old son out of blue started having debilitating migraines about a year ago. Being a nurse I ensured we ruled out anything nasty by doing MRI and seeing specialist. But we kept getting no definitive answer as to why they were reoccuring. Being so young treatment options are limited until 12yrs of age and every episode we would end up at the emergency department with then specialist follow up appointments. Something had to change. I then came across a fellow work colleague (GP) whom referred me to Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic. My son has been seeing David now at the spring hill clinic for over 2mnths, where he has worked absolute wonders. My son has had no episodes of a migraine to date yet. David also ensure he educates his clients during the appointment, follows up with exercises and resources for you to use at home as well, easy management plans and a diary to track and see patterns as to why a migraine maybe triggered. I would highly recommend these clinics to anyone suffering. The amount of knowledge and expertise by the staff is amazing. I will always be praising them for the help with my son.

Sahan Amarasena

I have been seeing Sascha for about 3 weeks now. Thanks to Sascha, I have gone from 4-5 headaches a week to being headache free for over a week now. He is very knowledgeable and was quick to diagnose my problem. The treatment plan has been very clear and easy to follow at home. We have addressed all factors that are contributing to my headaches and I am confident of keeping my headaches under control thanks to the tools Sascha has taught me. Highly impressed with the team. They have been very professional, friendly and helpful throughout and been impressed with their customer service. Highly recommend these guys if you are someone who has been suffering with headache for a long time like myself.

Ana Uppman

Mattias and the staff at the clinic are wonderfully helpful and friendly. Mattias in particular helped me to manage chronic headaches and sinus effectively and naturally which has provided a huge amount of pain relief to me especially after so many years of discomfort. Thank you so much Mattias and staff.

Jesse Tamblyn

Diagnosed with Vestibular Neuritis, quickly turned into vestibular migraines of a hellish level. I was hallucinating constantly, pretty much 24/7 for a entire year. With no regular symptoms of a migraine other than extreme light sensitivity, my doctor ordered all the tests, nothing was helping. After a few sessions with Sasch I have zero symptoms and none of my previous triggers are triggering any hallucinations/migraines. Sasch is increadibly skilled at what he does and is very passionate about his clients. I am forever in a debt of gratitude.

kynan jones

I have had cluster headaches on and off for two years now and have had no clue what to do about it, I stumbled across Brisbane migraine and headache clinic, decided to give it a go and I could not be happier with the results from Mattias. My symptoms have dropped by an easy 90% and I can enjoy my days again. Thank you Mattias and thank you Brisbane migraine and headache clinic.

Carter Bennett

So far my treatment at the Headache and Migraine clinic has been very helpful. As someone who experiences migraines often enough, I can say with confidence that after only a few months of treatment with practictioner Mattias, the frequency and severity has been reduced. Still a ways to go till Im migraine free, but I can say with confidence that this very interesting form of treatment works.

ARCHANACHOWDARY NALLAPANENI

David is really wonderful and he is a magician. I've been suffering from migraine headaches for past three years after I met David, and his treatment is like a miracle. I've been on treatment for five weeks now and haven't had any headaches. Thank you heaps David

Rachel de Vera

Best place to overcome your headache pain. This clinic will give you treatment to make your life free from migraine.

Luke Shanley

Ariel from Brisbane Migraine & Headache clinic was the only person that actually helped with my migraines. After seeing doctors & neurologists to no avail i decided to give it a go. I'm able to see friends, nieces & nephews again and working full time. This seemed impossible just over 2 months ago when I first started treatment. Gave me my life back.

Danielle Raftopoulos

I've seen Ariel for neck, back and knee pain/ injuries in the past. She does an excellent job with releasing muscles through dry needling and acupuncture which has relieves pain. Ariel provides exercises to do at home which are helpful. I've also seen all the other physios at the clinic. Highly recommend it.

Pawan Sandhu

I was suffering with bad migraine from last 13 years. Then I heard about Brisbane headache centre. I consulted with Dominic he is very professional and nice Physio. He find out the triggers and started my treatment since i seen him first till now I haven't had any headaches. I highly recommend people if you suffering with headache and migraine please go and consult with the team. Thanks Dominic.

Brooke O'kell

I have had an amazing experience with Ariel at the clinic. I went there in horrific pain after been diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia and I was taking 12 nerve pain tablets a day. The clinic was recommended to me by a friend and I'm so glad I gave them a try because now after a couple of months I am pain free and down to one nerve tablet a day. It's hard to explain really how grateful I really am now to be spending Christmas with my family pain free after not been able to leave the house without crying in pain. I'm would give them 100 stars if I could and I've already recommended Ariel to some friends who suffer migraines. Thank you for everything Ariel your an amazing and lovely lady who really changed my life.

Cathy Biles

I have suffered from migraines for 30 years and I have found that the treatment that I am having at Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic is the most effective way I’ve found in preventing a migraine. I have been having treatment with Mattias for around 4 months, and at this stage I still do get some migraines, but they are getting a lot less frequent than they were before I started having treatment. Mattias is very understanding and explains each step of the treatment very thoroughly.

Candy Beanland

Dominic is a very polite person who has helped me a great deal with my migraine headaches. I am very grateful to him.

Emma Zonca

I've had a great experience being treated by Dominic. I was recently diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia and my symptoms have now massively reduced. The care and education I have received have been excellent. All staff have been welcoming and very lovely to deal with since my first appointment. I highly recommend Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic.

Ebony Smith

I've been receiving treatment from Mattias for a little over two months now and I cannot recommend this practice enough!!! I have been struggling with Migraine headaches and terrifying aura symptoms for 10+ years and have tried absolutely everything (from medications, diets, all sorts of treatments and multiple specialist/neurologist appointments) in order to eliminate, ease or simply manage the pain. Thank you to Mattias and the wonderful team at Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic for listening to my struggles with pain, understanding my issues, applying the right treatment that my body was receptive to...and most importantly.... they gave me a free jar of mints! What a DEAL! 10/10 recommend.

Cassandra Guse

2 months ago debilitating migraines were driving me crazy - and I finally snapped and called this clinic after 3 years of spending most of my spare time just resting and re-habbing my head and neck between work. I started treatments with Dominic immediately. And I am amazed to report that I haven't had a migraine since! I wish I had done it years earlier. Dominic is pleasant, thorough, very knowledgeable and holistic in his advice, picking up on things which seem unrelated but were likely contributing to my headaches - and explains everything every step of the way. I can't recommend him highly enough.

Laura O'hearn

I have only been seeing Dominic from Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic for three weeks, but the change in my migraines has been dramatic. I have struggled with chronic migraines for over 20 years and I did not find daily medication helpful in controlling them. I wish I had known about Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic sooner as this has been a life-changing experience.

Paul Hewitt

There could not be too much praise for the services and results produced at this Centre . I was suffering clusters of migraines and other neck pain. Went to Doctor, more medication! Decided there has to be a better way. Googled the Headache and Migraine Centre, met with Mattias, and Helen , a few visits and the relief was significant . Small business could take a lesson from their efficiency as well, Admin staff are all over everything, helping you to make appointment times that suit you. If you had or having similar issues to mine..........Just go there .

Chimorne Bekker

Special thanks to Dominic for treating me at the Brisbane Headache and Migraine Clinic. I have had roughly 11 sessions at the clinic and have been headache & migraine free for two weeks today. This may not seem very long, but it is for someone who experiences an attack every second day. My treatment is still ongoing, but the results are already promising. I also have to mention that Dominic was the first specialist to notice that my C2-C3 cervical vertebrae were rotated/disturbed and recommended that we realign the vertebrae and desensitise my brain stem. This was a relief as specialists in the past have diagnosed me with anything from ethmoid sinusitis and occipital neuralgia to labelling it as “psychosomatic“. I would highly recommend anyone suffering from migraines/headaches to arrange a consultation with Dominic.

Megan Tilley

After about 5 weeks of constant headaches, in complete desperation I contacted BHMC and within 4 sessions with Mathias, my headaches significantly reduced in severity and duration. Highly recommended!

Have Questions?

If you have any general enquiries, feel free to use our form on this page to ask us your questions. If you are looking to make an appointment, you can scroll down to make a booking.

What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Anatomy of the Trigeminal Nerve

Trigeminal Neuralgia Symptoms

What is the cause of Trigeminal Neuralgia?

What is the cause of Trigeminal Neuralgia?

What To Expect During The Assessment

Types of Trigeminal Neuralgia

1. Classical Trigeminal Neuralgia (Primary Trigeminal Neuralgia)

2. Atypical Trigeminal Neuralgia

3. Secondary Trigeminal Neuralgia

4. Trigeminal Neuropathic Pain (TNP)

5. Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia

How Do I Know If I Have Trigeminal Neuralgia?

Our Treatment – Trigeminal Neuralgia

What our clients have said

Have Questions?

Book in your initial appointment to see an expert today