• Flory T
• Chung J
• Ozner J

• Affiliation / Private Practice of Chiropractic
• Affiliation(G) / United States / California / Upland
• Affiliation(G) / United States / Florida / Plantation
• Affiliation(G) / United States / Florida / Royal Palm Beach
• Cervical Atlas
• Child
• Glossopharyngeal Nerve Diseases
• Male
• National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA)
• Neuralgia
• Trigeminal Neuralgia

Objective: The purpose of this case study is to provide a detailed report on the symptomatic improvement of a patient diagnosed with both trigeminal and glossopharyngeal neuralgia undergoing upper cervical chiropractic care using the NUCCA protocol.

Clinical Features: A ten-year-old male presented with a previous diagnosis of trigeminal neuralgia (TN) from a pediatric neurologist. The patient’s mother took him to a chiropractor as a last resort. His history shows that he suffered for nearly 4 months with intense bouts of headaches, earaches, neck pain and extreme facial pain. He was prescribed medications by a neurologist with no overall relief. He was further diagnosed by the chiropractor with glossopharyngeal neuralgia (GPN).

Interventions and Outcome: The chiropractic care consisted of upper cervical care through the technique of the National Upper Cervical Chiropractic Association (NUCCA). During the patient’s initial phase of care, the upper cervical subluxation as well as his symptoms improved significantly. After 7 months the patient reported complete resolution of his main complaint, as well as significant reduction in the associated symptoms. Follow up appointments done 1.5 years after the initial exam show that the patient was still symptom free.

Conclusion: This case demonstrates the reduction and eventual resolution of trigeminal and glossopharyngeal neuralgia associated symptoms following the reduction of the Atlas Subluxation Complex. This case adds further evidence to the literature demonstrating the effectiveness of upper cervical chiropractic care for facial neuralgias. Cohort studies and clinical trials should be performed to study the impact that upper cervical chiropractic may have on facial neuralgias.

Author Keywords: chiropractic, subluxation, pediatric, trigeminal neuralgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, NUCCA, upper cervical

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