Clinical Information For the Treatment Of Neuralgia
What Is Neuralgia?
Neuralgia - Basics
Neuralgia is a condition in which abnormal activity in a nerve trunk or its branches cause pain in the connected areas. There are several types of neuralgia, each with varying types and degrees of pain, including cranial neuralgia, postherpetic neuralgia, and occipital neuralgia. Affecting one of the largest nerves in the head, trigeminal neuralgia generally occurs in persons over age 50 and is characterized by episodes of intense, stabbing pain in parts of the face and oral cavity.
Below you will find alternative and natural treatment options including those from a Chinese Medicine perspective for neuralgia.
Related Posts From Our Blog
Blog Posts Where Neuralgia Is Discussed
Acupuncture Treatment Helpful for Trigeminal Neuralgia- Acupuncture effective for Temporomandibular Disorders
Blog Posts Concerning Research
- Tai Chi Found Helpful for Chronic Low Back Pain
- Meditation Found Beneficial For Glaucoma - The Liver and the Eyes in Chinese Medicine
- Tai Chi Improves Psychological Health in College Students (Study)
- Acupuncture found to improve recovery of patients with heart failure
- Acupuncture Effective for Chemo Fatigue - 10 Trials With 1327 Patients
- Study Finds Tai Chi Reduces Depression and Anxiety Symptoms
- Study Finds Acupuncture Effective for Chronic Tinnitus
- Tinnitus Treatment - Back Acupuncture with Tuina Found More Effective Than Standard Acupuncture
Formulas and Products @ Our Store Associated With Neuralgia
The Following (3)Formulas TCM Herbal Formulas May Be Useful For Neuralgia
Gui Zhi Tang Wan (Cinnamon Twig Decoction)
Clinical Usages
- Gan Mao (wind-cold) - Common cold or flu (or related illnesses, asthma, rhinitis, etc.) presenting with fever and chills (unrelieved by sweating), headache, aversion to wind, no desire for fluids, dry cough, sore throat.
- Frostbite.
- Pain from cold - may manifest in the joints, sciatic pain, neuralgia.
- Some skin conditions that are worse with cold and tend to be dry and itchy.
- Potentially useful post-partum (for colds or fevers) to strengthen the exterior (wei qi).
Clinical Categorization
Huang Qi Gui Zhi Wu Wu Wan (Astragalus and Cinnamon Twig Five Herb Decoction)
Clinical Usages
- Common with blood deficient patterns for dispersing interior cold, xue bi, (blood painful obstruction), generally manifesting as numbness of the extremities. With the appropriate underlying patterns - shoulder pain, neck pain, knee pain.
- Diabetic neuropathy, peripheral neuropathy, polyneuropathy, conditions such as raynaud's with the right underlying factors, frostbite.
- Facial paralysis, post-stroke recovery.
- Restless leg syndrome.
- Certain cardiovascular issues, heart disease.
Clinical Categorization
Shu Jing Huo Xue Wan (Relax The Channels and Invigorate The Blood Decoction)
Clinical Usages
- Primarily used for blood stasis with wind-damp in the channels and collaterals characterized by internal deficiency with external excesses - joint pain, muscle aches, numbness and/or pain in the lower extremities (may be severe).
- Wind-cold damp bi-syndrome (i.e. arthritis) - particularly in the lower part of the body, hips, knees, lower back.
- Sciatic pain with the correct underlying pattern.
- Neck pain with the correct underling pattern.
- Fractures that are reluctant to heal, particularly in the lower body.
Clinical Categorization
Cautions
- Avoid during pregnancy.
- Generally not for long term use and use with caution if at all in deficient patients.
Where Do I Go Next?
Recent Questions From Our Forum...
Have questions about neuralgia? Or want to discuss treatment techniques? You may reach us and our community of practitioners by using our forums