Dr Maggie Ju
Acupuncture London
07944930253
Belgravia and Notting Hill ​​
Pain Relief: headaches, jaw pain, neck pain, shoulder pain back pain hip pain and groin pain knee pain vulvodynia UTI and bladder pain pelvic pain nerve pain arthritis elbow pain hand and wrist pain eye pain ear pain
Fertility and Miscarriage: infertility, miscarriage, high FSH, low AMH, short luteal phase, low progesterone, IVF support PCOS POF endometriosis
Antiaging and skin care: facial rejuvenation wrinkle reduction face lift skin tightening pore reduction neck lines skin smoothing, puffy face skin moisturizing collagen production
Dr Maggie Ju Acupuncture Treatment:
Efficient, Natural, Gentle, Pain Free, Noninvasive, Minimal side effects
Understanding Nerve Pain: Causes, Symptoms, and Acupuncture treatment
Nerve pain (Neuralgia) , also known as neuropathic pain, is a complex and often debilitating condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Unlike the typical pain resulting from an injury or inflammation, nerve pain originates from abnormalities in the nervous system.
Causes of Nerve Pain
Nerve pain can be attributed to various underlying causes, making it a challenging condition to diagnose and treat. Some common factors contributing to nerve pain include:
Diabetes: Long-term uncontrolled diabetes can lead to nerve damage, known as diabetic neuropathy, causing pain, tingling, and numbness, usually in the extremities.
Injury or Trauma: Physical injuries, accidents, or surgeries may damage nerves, resulting in chronic pain. Conditions such as herniated discs can also compress nerves, causing discomfort.
Infections: Certain infections, such as shingles, HIV, or Lyme disease, can damage nerves and trigger neuropathic pain.
Autoimmune Disorders: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus can cause the immune system to attack the nerves, leading to pain.
Chemotherapy: Some cancer treatments, particularly chemotherapy, may cause nerve damage, leading to neuropathic pain.
Symptoms of Nerve Pain
Nerve pain manifests in various ways, and the symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause. Common signs of nerve pain include:
Burning or Tingling Sensation: Individuals often describe nerve pain as a burning, tingling, or prickling sensation.
Sharp, Shooting Pain: Intense, shooting pains that feel like an electric shock are common in nerve pain.
Numbness or Weakness: Affected individuals may experience numbness or weakness in the areas served by the damaged nerves.
Increased Sensitivity: Hypersensitivity to touch or temperature changes is another hallmark of nerve pain.
Changes in Coordination: In some cases, nerve pain can lead to difficulties in coordination and balance.
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Trigeminal Neuralgia: Understanding the “Suicide Disease”
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, one of the largest nerves in the head. It is often described as one of the most excruciating pain disorders known to medicine, earning the grim nickname “the suicide disease” because of the severity of the attacks. While rare, TN can profoundly impact a person’s quality of life if left untreated.
What is Trigeminal Neuralgia?
The trigeminal nerve carries sensation from the face to the brain. In trigeminal neuralgia, even mild stimulation—such as brushing teeth, shaving, eating, or feeling a breeze—can trigger sudden, severe, shock-like facial pain.
The pain typically affects one side of the face and can last from a few seconds to a couple of minutes, recurring in unpredictable episodes. Some people experience clusters of attacks followed by remission periods, while others develop persistent, burning pain over time.
Causes and Risk Factors
The most common cause of TN is nerve compression—usually a blood vessel pressing against the trigeminal nerve near its connection with the brainstem. This pressure damages the protective coating (myelin sheath) around the nerve, causing erratic pain signals.
Other contributing factors include:
Multiple sclerosis (MS): A condition that damages myelin, increasing TN risk.
Tumors or cysts: Rarely, growths can compress the nerve.
Facial trauma or stroke: Can affect nerve pathways.
Age: TN most often occurs in people over 50, though younger individuals can also be affected.
Gender: Women are slightly more likely to develop TN than men.
Symptoms
The hallmark symptom of trigeminal neuralgia is sudden, intense facial pain, described as:
Sharp, stabbing, or electric shock–like
Usually affecting the jaw, cheek, or lips (less commonly the forehead or eye area)
Triggered by routine activities like chewing, speaking, or touching the face
Typically on one side of the face (bilateral pain is very rare)
Over time, attacks may become more frequent, and some people develop constant aching or burning pain between episodes.