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Wolfson Research Institute for Health and Wellbeing
Woman conducting a Postgraduate Psychology experiment

Enlightening Trigeminal Neuralgia pain

23 October 2026
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Trigeminal Neuralgia

Trigeminal neuralgia (suicide pain) (TN) is a refractory chronic pain disorder that causes intense pain attacks in your face. It happens when your trigeminal nerve is damaged or irritated. Trigeminal neuralgia isn’t life-threatening, but it can be life-altering.

Activities as simple as chewing, talking, smiling and brushing your teeth can trigger bouts of intense pain, making TN both a physical and deeply emotional condition. TN is typically chronic (long-term). Several treatment options, ranging from medications to surgical procedures, are used but with limited efficacy.
Photobiomodulation (PBM) uses red and near-infrared light, typically in the 600-1200 nm range, to modulate cellular function and reduce pain. Based on over 25-years work with PBM, Pain Challenge Academy Lead, Professor Paul Chazot, and his colleague Dr Cliff Saunders have been recently treating a case study of TN (over 5 years of suffering), over 4 months with a mixed red/infrared PBM pad. Growing relief occurred over the first few weeks.

Here Dawn is at WEEK 19 14th October 2026

"I can honestly say my face is now behaving itself. NO PAIN, NO SHOCKS even after the dental hygienist played around a bit too much. I got a bit stressed and asked her to leave my right side alone for now. But I've been sleeping very well getting 8+hours a night of unbroken sleep. Long may this last but I'm confident that if it breaks out again, we can control it quickly. I'm doing 10 minutes of CERATHRIVE PBM pad on my face and head. and 10 minutes on my gut. 2 Days OFF. Whatever it's doing it's doing it very well."