Treatment of trigeminal neuralgia by acupuncture combined with Chinese medicine from the perspective of modern medicine: A review

Abstract

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is characterized by recurrent episodes of transient severe pain in its distribution area, with abrupt onset and termination. With the progression of the disease, patients are prone to concurrent psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and depression, which seriously affect patients’ quality of life. Currently, anticonvulsant drugs are commonly used in clinical practice as the primary treatment, but long-term use of drugs is prone to drug resistance, limiting clinical application. Acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), as alternative and complementary therapies, can make up for the deficiencies in modern medicine and are accepted by patients with the advantages of safety and effectiveness. TCM therapy works by promoting the release of endogenous opioid peptides, adjusting the level of inflammatory factors, and improving negative emotions to exert analgesic effects. This paper discusses the clinical efficacy and safety of acupuncture combined with Chinese medicine in the treatment of TN from the perspective of modern medicine and provides a theoretical basis for seeking better therapeutic targets.