Trigeminal Neuralgia — Severe Stabbing Pain Through the Face

Stabbing pain shoots through the face

Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition in which severe pain like a lightning bolt or electric shock occurs for a few seconds to two minutes in the area supplied by the trigeminal nerve. It can be triggered by washing the face, brushing teeth, eating, talking, or even a breeze. It is often called "one of the most agonizing pains."

Korean medicine diagnosis

• Wind-heat disturbing the upper body (風熱上擾): Heat-type pain — sharp with a burning sensation
• Blood stasis blocking the meridians (瘀血阻絡): Stagnant blood compresses the nerve — fixed-location stabbing pain
• Hyperactive liver yang (肝陽上亢): Stress causes liver yang to rise — accompanied by headache

Acupuncture and electroacupuncture

Acupuncture has a strong effect on trigeminal neuralgia.

• V1 (ophthalmic branch): Yangbai (GB14), Cuanzhu (BL2), Yuyao — pain around forehead and eyes
• V2 (maxillary branch): Sibai (ST2), Quanliao (SI18) — pain in cheek and beside the nose
• V3 (mandibular branch): Xiaguan (ST7), Jiache (ST6) — pain in jaw and lower jaw
• Electroacupuncture: Low-frequency electrical stimulation blocks pain signals (gate control theory)

Combined with conventional treatment

Anticonvulsants such as carbamazepine are the first-line conventional treatment. Combining Korean medicine reduces the intensity and frequency of pain, allowing for a gradual reduction in medication dosage — an effective long-term strategy.