A CASE FOR ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

by Wren Osborn

Introduction

Western medicine does not know what causes TN and does not now how to cure it. Western medicine uses two approaches, drugs or surgery. Having had TN for 17 years I have had a lot of time to think about and try to determine its cause and its cure. My thoughts are not scientifically supported but have evolved from my studying many sources, both from the Western scientific world and the world of alternative medicine.

Some alternative medicine has scientific support but, generally speaking, it is vilified or pooh-poohed by the Western scientific community. A common criticism of alternative methods of healing is that the methods have not been proven in clinical studies. This criticism can also apply to many aspects of traditional Western medicine. Many of the latest surgical procedures have been nowhere near a double blind study.

The Philosophical Approach of Most Alternative Methods Contrasted to the Traditional Western Method

The philosophical approach of most alternative methods is that it is necessary to treat the whole person not the disease. The belief generally is that disease is a result of an imbalance in the whole person and restoring the balance allows the body to heal itself. This is in contrast to the traditional Western method of treating a specific disease with a specific remedy (usually a drug or surgical procedure). One of the consequences of the drug approach is often the suffering of innumerable harmful side effects. The surgical approach, when used for TN, often requires repetitive surgery, and efficacy is reduced by scar tissue. The alternative approach also recognizes the individuality of each person and often devises a specific remedy or approach for each person. Quite a contrast to  the
cookie cutter approach of Western traditional medicine.

My Approach to Curing TN

TN comes and goes and the consensus of thought is that it does so for no observable reason. However, I believe there are specific, but multitudinous, reasons that cause TN to flare up and to leave. When I try something that seems to work and then the TN flares up again I believe that it has found another weak spot in my system. I then shore up that weak spot. That's why I want to emphasize that I use many different substances, therapies, or approaches for remedies rather than say one alone will work. The term
remedies to me includes the whole gamut of available therapies (homeopathy, traditional Western medicine, Chinese herbal medicine, acupuncture, laying on of hands, etc.), substances (herbs, vitamins, proper diet, hormones, drugs, etc.), exercise (Yoga, Tai Chi, etc.) massage, mental stance, pain control, and anything else that seems worth a try. You
can't rely on just one miracle drug or miracle substance. It may work for a while but for continued success you have to treat the whole person.

Through the years (17) as I have improved my general physical condition, the severity and frequency of TN has diminished considerably. I use less and less Tegretol when it is required rather than more and more as is often the case with other sufferers. The episodes when I require Tegretol are less frequent and last shorter periods of time. I continue to believe that I can find a way to strengthen my health to the point that I will no longer suffer from TN. (Western medicine believes this is impossible.) I believe this is because I have searched out and tried anything that has helped others or anything that fits in my assessment of the problem and possible solutions. I try to figure out cause and effect and devise a remedy.

Conclusion

Western medicine does not treat the whole person and does not strive to help the patient find optimal health. An individual has to take charge, read, think, and experiment in order to reach optimal health. And why settle for less? That doesn't mean that Western medicine be rejected just judged with a healthy dose of skepticism. But it also means studying non-traditional approaches with an open mind (while retaining the healthy dose of skepticism).

Food for Thought

The TN I have doesn't seem to have a physical basis, such as nerves touching or crossing or whatever the explanation is. I doubt that that problem could be relieved by non-physical methods. However, if the problem arises because the sheath of the nerve wears thin or doesn't replace itself properly perhaps using vitamins, minerals, hormones, herbs, etc. to reinforce and rebuild the sheath might work. How many people without TN have nerves touching, etc.?

I'm sure nearly everyone has heard of the corporate training that teaches executives to go outside boundaries in order to solve problems. With TN (and any other health problem) you miss out when you stay within traditional Western medicine's boundaries. Yes, Western medicine can be impressive in healing a specific disease with a specific medicine,
but often with many harmful side effects. And how many times have you heard, "Try this, if it doesn't work come back and we'll try something else"? A very scientific approach.