Trigeminal neuralgia

Free

E-Newsletters

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Alternative medicine

By Mayo Clinic staff

Few clinical studies have been done on the effectiveness of alternative treatments for trigeminal neuralgia, so there's little evidence to support their use. However, some people have found improvement with these treatments. Always ask your doctor before trying an alternative treatment, since it may interact with your other medications.

Complementary and alternative treatments for trigeminal neuralgia include:

  • Acupuncture
  • Biofeedback
  • Vitamin therapy
  • Nutritional therapy
  • Electrical stimulation of nerves
References
  1. Trigeminal neuralgia fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/trigeminal_neuralgia/detail_trigeminal_neuralgia.htm. Accessed Feb. 18, 2010.
  2. Bajwa ZH. Trigeminal neuralgia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Feb. 18, 2010.
  3. Sohur US. Trigeminal neuralgia. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/183930156-4/0/2088/674.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00029-0--sc0175_13740. Accessed Feb. 18, 2010.
  4. Krafft RM. Trigeminal neuralgia. American Family Physician. 2008;77:1291.
  5. AAN and EFNS guideline on diagnosing and treating trigeminal neuralgia. St. Paul, Minn.: American Academy of Neurology (AAN). http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0601/p1001.html. Accessed Feb. 18, 2010.
  6. Young RF. Trigeminal neuralgia. In: Rakel RE, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2008. 60th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=bookPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00014-4--sc0075&uniq=183930156&isbn=978-1-4160-6642-2&sid=954069268#lpState=open&lpTab=contentsTab&content=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00014-4--sc0075%3Bfrom%3Dtoc%3Btype%3DbookPage%3Bisbn%3D978-1-4160-6642-2. Accessed Feb. 18, 2010.
  7. Nerve blocks. Radiological Society of North America. http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=nerveblock#part_nine. Accessed Feb. 18, 2010.
  8. Singla A. Trigeminal neuralgia. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/184337872-8/955217002/1678/94.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50092-4--cesec12_1483. Accessed Feb. 18, 2010.
  9. Swanson JW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 1, 2010.
DS00446 April 15, 2010

© 1998-2012 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

  • Reprints
  • Print
  • Share on:

  • Email

Advertisement


Text Size: smaller largerlarger