Among the many types of pain that affect the body, facial pain can be especially distressing. It interferes with how you experience your senses—turning simple actions like touching your cheek, chewing or even smiling into sources of discomfort. The pain may present as tenderness, muscle tightness in the jaw, a throbbing forehead or sharp sensations around the eyes. Fortunately, many cases of facial pain can be treated and alleviated. Read on to find out the types, causes and possible treatments available.
Types of Severe Facial Pain
Facial pain can arise from various causes, ranging from nerve irritation to muscle tension or sinus pressure. Common types include:
Trigeminal Neuralgia
: This is a condition that causes sudden, shock-like pain on one side of the face. It can often be triggered by a light touch, chewing or even speaking, making facial movements feel unbearable.Atypical Facial Pain:
Unlike the typical sharp, shooting pain caused by nerve irritation, atypical facial pain is often described as a constant, dull ache or burning sensation. It usually has no clear or consistent triggers, which can make it difficult to understand and manage.Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders
: If the jaw clicks, locks, or becomes sore—particularly when eating or speaking—it may indicate temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction. The associated pain can radiate to the cheeks, ears or temples and may interfere with normal facial movement.Postherpetic Neuralgia
: For some people, facial pain can linger long after a shingles rash heals. This ongoing nerve pain may be postherpetic neuralgia, which feels like a burning or throbbing sensation in the face, affecting sleep or mood.Dental and Sinus-Related Pain
: In some cases, facial pain that feels nerve-related may actually originate from dental or sinus issues. These conditions can cause pressure, throbbing or swelling in areas such as the cheeks, jaw or forehead, sometimes affecting normal facial function.
Diagnosing Facial Pain
Clinical assessment by a pain specialist helps determine the underlying cause, assess the severity and guide the selection of the most appropriate treatment approach. Diagnosis typically involves:
Medical History Assessment
During the initial consultation, the pain specialist will take a detailed history of your symptoms—including the nature, duration and triggers of your pain—as well as any underlying medical conditions. This information helps establish a clearer understanding of the possible causes and guides the diagnostic process.
Physical Examination
After reviewing your medical history, the specialist will carefully examine your facial nerves, muscles, jaw and surrounding areas. This assessment helps identify points of tenderness, nerve involvement or structural abnormalities that may be contributing to the pain.
CT, MRI or X-ray Imaging
To confirm the diagnosis, imaging tests may be recommended to identify structural causes that are not apparent during a physical examination. These may include nerve compression, inflammation or underlying dental or sinus conditions contributing to the facial pain.
Dental Evaluation
In certain cases, if the pain is suspected to be dental in origin, your doctor may recommend a dental evaluation. You may be referred to a dentist or oral surgeon to assess for conditions such as abscesses, impacted teeth or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction.
Treatment Options for Facial Pain
Once the diagnosis is established, the pain specialist will recommend treatment options tailored to the source and nature of your pain. In some cases, a combination of therapies may be advised to achieve more effective and lasting relief.
Pharmacological Management
Medications are often prescribed to help relieve facial pain and address its underlying causes. Your specialist will determine the most appropriate options based on the type and severity of your symptoms.
- Nerve Pain Relievers: These medications help stabilise overactive nerves and reduce abnormal pain signals.
- Anti-inflammatory Drugs: Used to ease inflammation and swelling that may be aggravating the facial pain.
- Muscle Relaxants: These help release muscle tightness or spasms that contribute to discomfort, particularly around the jaw or temples.
Interventional Procedures
When facial or nerve-related pain is severe or unresponsive to medication, your doctor may recommend specific interventional techniques for more direct and sustained relief. These procedures are designed to reduce nerve pressure, minimise irritation and interrupt the transmission of pain signals.
- Nerve Blocks: Injections of local anaesthetic, sometimes combined with a steroid, are administered near the affected nerve to temporarily block pain transmission and decrease inflammation.
- Radiofrequency Ablation: This technique uses controlled heat energy to target and disrupt pain-conducting nerves, providing longer-term relief in chronic pain conditions.
- Regenerative Therapy: Biologic treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or stem cell injections help promote tissue healing and reduce inflammation at the source of pain.
- Trigger Point Injections: Localised injections into tight muscle bands or “knots” relieve muscle tension, improve circulation and interrupt pain patterns in the affected area.
Can Facial Pain be Prevented?
While not all facial pain can be prevented, you can reduce your risk by protecting your face, reducing muscle strain and caring for underlying health conditions such as:
- Addressing sinus or dental infections early to prevent them from spreading or triggering nerve-related pain
- Using protective gear during sports or activities that involve potential impact to the head or face
- Minimising stress, as chronic tension can aggravate jaw pain, nerve sensitivity and facial discomfort
- Practising good dental hygiene and stay aware of habits like teeth grinding or jaw clenching, especially during sleep or stressful moments
Whether your pain stems from nerves, joints or underlying inflammation, healing is indeed possible with the right treatment and support. For detailed and personalised advice, please consult our pain specialist, Dr Thor Timothy today. Contact us to schedule an appointment.
