Facial pain refers to any pain felt in the eyes, nose, and mouth as well as the surrounding areas. The pain can be described as sharp, aching, throbbing, or tingling.
What is facial pain?
Pain in the face is one of the top reported reasons for medical visits. Facial pain can be related to a number of conditions including headaches and toothaches. Pain in the face can also be caused by problems in other areas of the body. There are many different symptoms and signs of face pain, with many different causes.
To better understand face pain, it is important to look at the anatomy of the face and how different nerves and muscle groups interact naturally.
The trigeminal nerve
This nerve is also referred to as the cranial nerve V. It is the nerve in the brain that controls all communications of the face to the teeth, mouth, and nose.
It is made up of three parts:
- The ophthalmic division
- The maxillary division
- The mandibular division
These divisions are responsible for different parts of the face so depending on where the pain is originating your doctor may be able to determine which areas of the facial nerves to treat.
Symptoms and treatment for facial pain
Facial pain is often a symptom of common conditions such as migraine headaches, sinus infections, trigeminal neuralgia, dental issues, injuries of the face, or joint disorders that affect the face.
Depending on the root cause of your face pain, your doctor may recommend a variety of treatments. Acupuncture, relaxation, chiropractic care, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, joint injections, and even antidepressants can help alleviate various types of pain in the face. Your specific treatment will be based on your symptoms and the diagnosis by your doctor. They can help you alleviate or even eliminate the pain moving forward.
What has been your experience with face pain?