Is it advisable to do exercise when affected by Trigeminal Neuralgia? Which activities would you suggest and how intense should they be?

See if it is advisable for people with Trigeminal Neuralgia to practice sports and which ones are the most recommended if you have Trigeminal Neuralgia

Exercise and Trigeminal Neuralgia: What You Need to Know

Trigeminal Neuralgia is a chronic pain condition that affects the trigeminal nerve, causing intense facial pain. It can be triggered by simple activities such as eating, talking, or even touching the face. If you are affected by Trigeminal Neuralgia, you may wonder if exercise is advisable and what activities would be suitable for you.

Benefits of Exercise

Engaging in regular exercise can have numerous benefits for overall health and well-being. Exercise helps to improve cardiovascular health, strengthen muscles, enhance flexibility, and boost mood. It can also help in managing chronic pain conditions by releasing endorphins, which are natural painkillers produced by the body.

Considerations for Trigeminal Neuralgia

While exercise can be beneficial, it is important to approach it with caution if you have Trigeminal Neuralgia. The intensity and type of exercise should be tailored to your individual needs and pain levels. Here are some considerations to keep in mind:

Consult with your healthcare provider: Before starting any exercise program, it is crucial to consult with your healthcare provider or a physical therapist who can assess your condition and provide personalized recommendations.

Listen to your body: Pay close attention to how your body responds to different exercises. If an activity exacerbates your pain or causes discomfort, it is important to modify or avoid it.

Start slow and gradually increase intensity: Begin with low-impact exercises that are gentle on the body, such as walking, swimming, or cycling. Start with shorter durations and gradually increase the intensity and duration as tolerated.

Focus on relaxation techniques: Incorporate relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga into your exercise routine. These can help reduce stress and promote relaxation, which may alleviate pain symptoms.

Avoid activities that trigger pain: Identify activities that trigger your Trigeminal Neuralgia pain and avoid them during your exercise routine. For example, if chewing exacerbates your symptoms, opt for non-chewing exercises.

Recommended Exercises

While the suitability of exercises may vary from person to person, here are some exercises that are generally well-tolerated by individuals with Trigeminal Neuralgia:

Low-impact aerobic exercises: Walking, swimming, stationary cycling, and water aerobics are excellent options for cardiovascular fitness without putting excessive strain on the facial muscles.

Stretching and flexibility exercises: Gentle stretching exercises for the neck, shoulders, and upper back can help relieve tension and improve flexibility.

Strength training: Light resistance exercises using resistance bands or light weights can help strengthen muscles without overexertion.

Yoga and Tai Chi: These mind-body exercises focus on gentle movements, stretching, and relaxation, which can be beneficial for managing pain and improving overall well-being.

Remember, it is essential to customize your exercise routine based on your individual needs and pain levels. Always consult with your healthcare provider before starting any new exercise program, especially if you have Trigeminal Neuralgia.

Note: The information provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for personalized recommendations.

Diseasemaps

Posted Mar 17, 2017 by Debbie K 1050

Light excercise is fine if you can take it. De stressing is useful.

Posted Mar 17, 2017 by Lee 1000

Ofc everyone should have some kind of exercise but with much pain, a exercise can be even getting up doing normal daily stuff :)

Posted Mar 17, 2017 by Tanja-Marie 1340

I would suggest low intensity, bending over seems to trigger mine. Yoga , stretching and centered based exercises help me. Meditation, breathing exercises and relaxation are very good.

Posted Mar 20, 2017 by Joyce Parton 1000

So long as pain is manageable, those affected by Trigeminal Neuralgia can participate in whatever activities they so choose. I would recommend that individuals try different activities, depending on their pain level, so they may find something they enjoy doing.

Posted Mar 21, 2017 by Sandy 1052

Deep breathing exercises , meditation and yoga can really help

Posted Mar 21, 2017 by Hema 1000

Exercise is always recommended. You should only graduate your activity level 10% more per week. Aerobic activity will gradually increase your pain tolerance and overall Activity level.

Posted Mar 21, 2017 by Heidi 1000

Yes, it is always a good idea to exercise, as this will help you maintain overall good health.

Of course, certain activities will be more challenging for a person with TN.
Any contact sports such as boxing and the like are to be avoided, obviously.

Depending on a person's abilities, gentle exercise such as walking, swimming, bike riding (get an exercise bike so you can exercise indoors!), stretching or yoga is recommended.

Meditation and self-hypnosis can also help a person cope with ongoing pain issues.

Posted Jun 12, 2017 by Margo 3125

No - like a migraine, most sufferers need to be quiet and still. Exercise may alleviate early symptoms or worsen attacks depending on timing, while high intensity exercise often acts as a temporary preventative (but not always).

Posted Jun 14, 2017 by John 900

When your in pain you can't do anything. I've learned that outdoors are no longer my friend since I can't tolerate wind, cold, etc. Do something indoors where the environment is controlled. Less likely to trigger an attack.

Posted Jul 29, 2017 by Jltaylor21 820

Of course exercise is always advisable.
Hard to exercise when the pain is so bad you cannot even think.
Still, I would bundle up my head and force myself to take walks.

Posted Jul 29, 2017 by Christina 1100

if you can you could. excercise is always good

Posted Jul 30, 2017 by Poison Yvy 2015

Definitely, it's good for the mind. Do whatever you can, I personally can't cope with high impact sport any more but I do a lot of walking and a little running.

Give meditation, Pilates and yoga a try too.

Posted Aug 6, 2017 by Michelle 2050

I never felt that exercised made it worse or better

Posted Oct 3, 2017 by Korine 1200

I find it's hard enough to exorcise with flares and sensitivity but truly keep up your health . Three times a week go and walk or do your favorite cardio. 1/2 hour ,you just got to move it move it !

Posted Feb 4, 2018 by James 2500

Exercise is something that surprisingly helps me. Most days I need to do things like swimming in a pool, Qigong (Chinese yoga). I like low impact exercise. I also in the summertime find myself with less pain, and I'm able to do exercises like yoga and rebounding which is great for your health!

Posted Feb 23, 2018 by Alicia 2600

It depend on the individuals pain. The pain can be aggravated by heavy weight lifting which ca bring blow flow to the face which may increase the pain. Basically, any exercise that moves your facial expression can increase pain. Walking should be okay, if cover face in cold weather, or windy conditions.

Posted May 18, 2018 by Jackie 1800

I would advise against doing anything stressful or intense. I was told not to get my head down below my heart, so that really limits exercising. Walking and tai chi are beneficial. Heavy exertion can put stress on the nerve by getting the blood to pump against it and bring on the pain. Some say yoga helps, but be wary of keeping the head up as much as possible.

Posted Feb 12, 2020 by Eric 2550

Well I have a typical and I find the more I move around more attacks I have so it's hard for me to be very physical

Posted Jun 3, 2020 by Nancy 2250

Translated from spanish Improve translation

no one mind caminar

Posted Mar 3, 2017 by Ignacio 1000