Trigeminal Neuralgia
Trigeminal Neuralgia and Upper Cervical Chiropractic
By Dr. Theodore Berlingeri, The Brain-Body Clinic, St. Pete
Trigeminal neuralgia has been called the “suicide disease” for a reason. The electric, stabbing pain that shoots across the face can feel unbearable, and most patients are told the only answers are heavy medications or invasive procedures. But here’s the thing: what if the key to calming down that pain isn’t just about silencing nerves with drugs, but about restoring balance at the source of the system — the brainstem and upper cervical spine?
Neuroanatomy: Where the Neck Meets the Face
The trigeminal nerve (cranial nerve V) is the largest cranial nerve, responsible for sensation in the face and motor functions like chewing. What most people — and even many doctors — overlook is its direct relationship to the upper cervical spine and the brainstem.
Here’s why this matters:
The trigeminal nucleus caudalis, which processes facial pain, extends all the way down into the upper cervical spinal cord (C1–C3).
Misalignment or dysfunction of the atlas (C1) or axis (C2) can cause abnormal input into this area, amplifying or even triggering the very pain patterns seen in trigeminal neuralgia.
The brainstem — nestled right where your head and neck meet — acts like the central switchboard for cranial nerves, including the trigeminal nerve. If the switchboard is jammed, signals go haywire.
Translation? A problem in the neck can very much look like a problem in the face.
What the Research Shows
Upper cervical chiropractic is not about “popping and cracking.” It’s about precise, gentle adjustments to restore brainstem and spinal cord communication. And yes — there’s research to back this up:
A case study published in the Journal of Upper Cervical Chiropractic Research (2016) documented significant improvements in trigeminal neuralgia symptoms following Atlas Orthogonal care.
Similar reports highlight how correcting C1/C2 alignment reduces neurological irritation and restores normal sensory processing through the trigeminal nucleus.
Broader research into NUCCA, Atlas Orthogonal, and Torque Release Technique (TRT) has shown improvements in conditions tied to brainstem function — including migraines, facial pain, and autonomic imbalance.
Is this the whole story? Of course not. But it’s a door medicine rarely opens: instead of numbing the pain, we ask why is the nerve firing wrong in the first place?
Why Medications Alone Aren’t Enough
The current medical approach often throws anti-seizure drugs like carbamazepine or even surgical options like rhizotomy at trigeminal neuralgia. And while those can sometimes blunt symptoms, they never address the upstream dysfunction.
Think of it this way: if your house lights are flickering because the main breaker is jammed, replacing every bulb won’t solve the problem. You’ve got to reset the breaker.
That’s what upper cervical chiropractic does — it resets the nervous system at the source.
The Brain-Body Philosophy
At The Brain-Body Clinic here in St. Pete, I don’t treat trigeminal neuralgia directly. What I do is evaluate the integrity of your upper neck and nervous system. Through advanced orthogonal analysis, gentle precision adjusting, and neurological testing, I help the brain and body reconnect.
The result? For many patients, the storm of misfiring signals calms. Pain isn’t “treated” — it’s reorganized at the root.
Why This Matters Now
Trigeminal neuralgia patients are too often told: “There’s nothing else we can do.” That’s not just disheartening — it’s dangerous. Because the truth is, there are options. Non-invasive, evidence-informed, and designed to complement — not replace — the care you’re already receiving.
This isn’t about choosing between medicine or chiropractic. It’s about realizing your nervous system is the ultimate biohack, and the atlas is the entry point.
If you or someone you love has been suffering from trigeminal neuralgia, it’s time to explore what your upper neck could be contributing. Don’t wait for more pills, more side effects, or more dead ends.
At The Brain-Body Clinic in St. Pete, I specialize in Upper Cervical Care, Torque Release Technique, and Neuro Emotional Technique (NET). Together, these approaches restore communication between the brain and body so healing can finally take root.
📍 Schedule a consultation today.
🧠 Let’s get your nervous system back online.
💡 Because when the brain and body reconnect, freedom follows.
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