We had an unusual case for the medical massage application. The patient had a severe case of left-sided Trigeminal Nerve Neuralgia for almost 5 months due to the nerve compression by the arterial loop inside the skull. Despite the intensive drug therapy, the symptoms got worse. Eventually, brain surgery in the form of microvascular decompression was performed. After the surgery, the patient was in a lot of pain, which was controlled by pain medications. However, the most devastating symptom for the patient was the loss of hearing on the side of the surgery. After the stitches were removed, we saw the patient for the first time.

Considering the intensity of the pain, Lymph Drainage Massage was the only treatment option. While we worked around the scar, the patient started to feel less pressure behind the ear in the area of the surgery. When the patient got up, she immediately noticed some hearing improvement in the left ear. The next day, we did only LDM with massage techniques which use air pressure to affect pressure in the inner ear. As soon as the patient got up, she had 50% hearing restoration. After the third session, the hearing was completely restored!

Conclusion

  • If you encounter a patient after brain surgery due to Trigeminal Nerve Neuralgia, start LDM around the surgery area as soon as the stitches are removed. It greatly decreases local edema, and it helps to make the scar more elastic.
  • LDM may assist patients in quicker restoration of hearing.

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