Most neuralgia is not automatically an emergency, but it should be respected.

Nerve pain is your body’s smoke alarm. Sometimes it is just toast burning. Sometimes the kitchen is on fire.

You should seek urgent medical care if nerve pain comes with sudden weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, numbness in the groin or saddle area, facial drooping, trouble speaking, chest pain, unexplained fever, cancer history, recent major trauma, or rapidly worsening symptoms.

Some types of neuralgia, like trigeminal neuralgia or post-herpetic neuralgia after shingles, may need medical management.

Mayo Clinic notes that trigeminal neuralgia can cause electric-shock-like facial pain and may be triggered by light touch, brushing teeth, or applying makeup.

Chiropractic care has a lane, and medicine has a lane. The smart move is knowing which road you are on before flooring the gas pedal.

At AFC AZ, during the first visit, we are asking:

Is this appropriate for conservative care, or does this need imaging, referral, medication, or urgent evaluation?

Good care starts with good judgment. Chiropractic care for neuralgia often involves spinal adjustments to alleviate pressure on nerves and restore proper nerve function.

Chiropractors may use a variety of adjusting techniques in addition to techniques like soft tissue therapy, acupuncture, or electrical stimulation to reduce inflammation and relieve the pain associated with neuralgia.

Additionally, lifestyle modifications, such as stress management techniques and ergonomic adjustments, may be recommended to help prevent neuralgia flare-ups and promote overall nerve health.