What Is Atypical Facial Pain?
Atypical facial pain describes chronic pain that does not fit the current classification system of pain. Chronic idiopathic facial pain is still not completely understood, but the pain is characterized as being confined to a limited area on one side of the face. Commonly the pain is in the nasolabial fold or side of the chin. The pain may spread to the upper or lower jaw or a wider area of the face or the neck. The sensation of the pain is deep. It is not associated with sensory loss or other physical symptoms. This type of chronic pain is more common in women than in men.
What Are The Risk Factors Of Atypical Facial Pain?
The direct causes of atypical facial pain are not fully known. However, this chronic pain is associated with other conditions, including:
- Psychological issues. Chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters control your mood and how you perceive pain. Depression, anxiety, or other mental health disorders disrupt the way neurotransmitters function. They may change the way we feel pain or influence our sensitivity.
- It is worth noting individuals who have had head trauma or several dental procedures are at a greater risk of developing atypical facial pain.
What Are The Symptoms Of Atypical Facial Pain?
People with this condition have pain in their faces every day for several months. High and low temperatures or physical touch may trigger the pain. Some people notice the pain gets worse with stress or anxiety. The pain does not follow the path of a nerve.
Someone with AFP may describe the pain as:
- Burning.
- Deep.
- Dull or aching, but with periods of a sharp, stabbing sensation.
- Pounding or throbbing.
- Tingling, or having a pins-and-needles feeling.
Why Is Diagnosing Atypical Facial Pain Difficult?
Diagnosing atypical facial pain can be a long process for various reasons. Atypical facial pain has similar signs and symptoms to other facial pain conditions like Trigeminal Neuralgia. This makes the process harder to differentiate between the two conditions. Because there is no underlying cause to the pain, diagnosis of this condition is usually a process of elimination. A profound medical report and examination are vital to correctly classify this facial pain. Going to experienced physicians is vital to relieve the symptoms faster.
What Treatments Are Available For Atypical Facial Pain?
Among the treatments available for atypical facial pain is Ketamine Infusion Therapy for chronic pain relief. Ketamine is a medication that has been used for a long period of time as an anesthetic. Ketamine infusion therapy is an ideal treatment for people who suffer from chronic pain and depression. Treatment can help improve mood and reduce pain. The infusion will last about an hour and for safety, patients are required to remain at the clinic for about half an hour after the treatment. If you are curious about ketamine infusion therapy, talk to your healthcare provider so that they can go over your medical history and discuss if you are a good candidate for the treatment.
MVM Health in Pennsylvania is glad to offer ketamine infusion therapy for chronic pain, and a variety of other treatments for atypical facial pain, including:
- Sphenopalatine Ganglion (SPG) Block
- Botox Injections
- Epidural Blood Patch
- Trigeminal Nerve Block
- Trigeminal Nerve Radiofrequency Ablation
Looking for Pain Relief?
If you are living with chronic pain and find that it is affecting your enjoyment of day-to-day life, it may be time to seek treatment and pain management. MVM Health: Pain, Vein, and Wellness services LeHigh Valley, Scranton, Wilkes Barre, and surrounding communities. Reach out to us today to request an appointment. The experts at MVM Health would be glad to offer guidance and a variety of treatment methods for chronic pain. Call 570-445-2200 to request an appointment.
