Trigeminal neuralgia flare-ups can be triggered by everyday sensations that stimulate the facial nerve — such as brushing your teeth, talking, or a light breeze. The condition is usually caused by a blood vessel pressing on the trigeminal nerve at the brainstem, sending erratic pain signals. Over time, the nerve becomes hypersensitive, making even mild touch feel like an electric shock. Some patients experience cycles of remission and recurrence, while others develop constant pain.

At the Facial Pain and Spasm Center, neurosurgeons carefully evaluate each patient with MRI imaging to identify vascular compression or other structural causes. Treatments may include medications, microvascular decompression (MVD), or stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) depending on the severity and anatomy of the nerve.