Facial pain, also called "facial wind pain" in TCM, is mainly manifested as radiating, scorching and spastic pain in the facial region of one side of the face usually. It is called trigeminal neuralgia in western medicine. The most commonly seen condition affects the maxillary ramus and mandible ramus of the trigeminal nerve. The pain is often triggered by talking, swallowing, teeth brushing, face washing, cold stimulation. The pain lasts for several seconds to several minutes. The frequency of its onset are not fixed, however, there are no symptoms in the periods of intermission.

So what causes onset of the pain on the face. From TCM point of view, facial pain results from obstruction of qi and blood in the channels due to invasion by external evils, or from the stirring-up of stagnant heat due to emotional disturbance, or from the hyperactive yang and an inflamed deficient fire due to yin deficiency. When the wind-cold invades channels of yangming and taiyang in the face, qi and blood are obstructed. When the toxicity of wind-heat accumulates, free flow of qi and blood is blocked also. The stagnation of qi and blood manifested as facial pain.

Acupuncture has a definite analgesic effect, especially for primary trigeminal neuralgia. The most common acupuncture or acupressure points are Cuanzhu (BL 2); Sibai (ST 2); Xiaguan (ST 7); Dicang (ST 4); Jiache (ST 6); Hegu (LI 4) and Fengchi (GB 20). Acupuncture could dispel the wind and remove the obstruction of qi and blood in the meridian channels. So the pain is relieved instantly. During the treatment of acupuncture, the local points should be punctured gently and the needle should be retained longer, while the distal points should be needled with a strong manipulation especially during the spastic episode. Patients with this disease should pay attention to their lifestyle and should avoid eating raw/cold and pungent food, and avoid emotional irritation and mental stress.

Book an appointment today to have a consultation at our acupuncture clinic in Mississauga, we are here to help.