The Key Acupuncture Points for Treating Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, which carries sensation from your face to your brain. One of the effective ways to manage this condition is through acupuncture, which targets specific acupoints to relieve pain and improve nerve function.

Main Acupuncture Points for Trigeminal Neuralgia

The primary acupoints commonly used in treating trigeminal neuralgia include Fengchi (GB20), Yifeng (TE17), Xiaguan (ST7), Shousanli (LI10), and Hegu (LI4). These points are known for their ability to regulate nerve function, reduce inflammation, and alleviate facial pain.

Additional Supporting Points

In addition to the main points, several auxiliary acupoints are often used to enhance treatment effectiveness. These include Taiyang, Yangbai (GB14), Louzhu (BL2), Touwei (ST8), Si Bai (ST2), Xiaguan (ST7), Tinghui (GB23), Dicang (ST4), Chengjiang (CV24), and Yingxiang (LI20). These points help to further stimulate the facial nerve pathways and provide comprehensive pain relief.

Goals of Treatment

The ultimate goal in managing trigeminal neuralgia is to achieve long-term pain relief. This can be accomplished through a combination of non-invasive and invasive treatment methods tailored to the patient's specific condition.

Non-Invasive Treatment Options

Non-invasive approaches include pharmacological therapy, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) such as herbal treatments and acupuncture, and physical therapy. These methods are often the first line of treatment and are especially suitable for patients with mild to moderate symptoms.

Invasive Treatment Approaches

For patients who do not respond well to conservative treatments, more direct interventions may be considered. These include surgical procedures, injection therapy, and radiofrequency ablation techniques such as radiofrequency thermal coagulation. These methods aim to target and disrupt the pain signals directly from the affected nerve.