Hi, i've often wondered this. It was after I was rearended in a car accident and got whip lash, that I developed TN. However, me not being fond of hospitals or doctors, did not go to the hospital. I should of. But that's besides the point.
It was months later that I started having serious TN pain. An MRI was done, and the TN was there on the MRI but unfortunatly for me, so was MS. That was in 2006. But, I often have wondered. Strange.

Are you self-diagnosed or has a neurologist confirmed it is TN?
There is some miciming with TMJ for instance. (I am not a medical person)
Jewel I am so sorry you have both. As you know it can be associated with MS so it is interesting, was it coincidental that you had the accident and you have the TN?
It seems more and more they are changing not only the definition but also the potential causes.
leej

Occiptal neuralgia is documented as a neuralgia that can be caused by a car accident or neck trauma. It is damage to the C1 & c2 areas of the spine. So perhaps TN is one that could be too. It is a huge nerve & maybe it could be pinched? Maybe you can do some searching on the internet... I have heard a lot of talk about it - I will say that. Trauma is Trauma.

Hi Pabuddy, I have never met you although I have seen you here. Did you ever try any massage or rehabilitation for your neck or shoulder? Sometimes pinched nerves in the neck or knots in the neck muscles can cause pain in the face. I have some pictures in my Photos section that shows were trigger point massage is helpful for relieving pain that is referred from the neck to the face. The important point to make is that it is "referred" pain. Do you still have pain in your neck or shoulder?

Good luck,
-Holliday