Let’s be honest, most people don’t sit around thinking about cranial nerves. You don’t wake up in the morning, brush your teeth, and say, “Wow, I really hope my trigeminal nerve is firing on all cylinders today.” Nope. But when one of these little nerve pathways gets irritated? Suddenly you notice, big time. Pain in your face, a lopsided smile, or the world spinning when you stand up can all trace back to these nerves. And here’s the kicker: sometimes the root of the problem isn’t even in your face or ears, it’s in your neck.
Today we’re focusing on three VIP cranial nerves:
- Cranial Nerve V (Trigeminal Nerve) – the face’s messenger
- Cranial Nerve VII (Facial Nerve) – the nerve of expression
- Cranial Nerve VIII (Vestibulocochlear Nerve) – your balance and hearing buddy
And spoiler alert, they all have one thing in common: their signals run through the brainstem, which just so happens to live at the very top of your neck.
CN V: The Trigeminal Nerve – The Face’s Messenger
Think of the trigeminal nerve as your face’s news reporter. It’s constantly sending updates about touch, temperature, and pain back to your brain, while also controlling the muscles you use to chew.
When things go wrong, you might notice:
- Jaw pain or tension
- Tingling or numbness in your cheeks or forehead
- Headaches that hang out behind your eyes or across your temples
One of the most severe conditions tied to this nerve is Trigeminal Neuralgia, sometimes called the “Suicide Disease” because of the extreme, stabbing facial pain it causes. What many people don’t realize is that irritation here doesn’t always start in the face, it can come from an upper neck misalignment that disrupts brainstem function and amplifies pain signals.
CN VII: The Facial Nerve – The Nerve of Expression
Every smile, frown, smirk, or surprised eyebrow raise is powered by the facial nerve. It also helps you taste certain foods (so thank it next time you enjoy chocolate), and it keeps your eyes and mouth from drying out.
When this nerve is struggling, you may notice:
- Facial twitching
- Uneven smiles or trouble raising one eyebrow
- Dry eyes or dry mouth without a clear reason
A well-known condition connected to this nerve is Bell’s Palsy, where one side of the face suddenly droops. It’s often mistaken for a stroke, but here’s the key difference: in a stroke, you can usually still wrinkle your forehead; with Bell’s Palsy, you can’t. The root cause can sometimes tie back to stress on the brainstem from an upper neck misalignment, interfering with the nerve’s messages.
CN VIII: The Vestibulocochlear Nerve – Hearing and Balance
This nerve pulls double duty: one branch helps you hear, while the other keeps you steady on your feet.
When it’s not working properly, people often experience:
- Dizziness or vertigo
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Muffled hearing or ear pressure
Here’s where the neck connection shows up again. The brainstem is the control center for balance, and if the atlas (C1) or axis (C2) vertebrae are misaligned, the brain can misinterpret balance signals. That’s why patients with vertigo, dizziness, or tinnitus sometimes improve after upper cervical chiropractic care.
How Blair Upper Cervical Care Helps
The Blair Upper Cervical technique focuses on C1 and C2, the top vertebrae surrounding your brainstem. These bones don’t need to be dramatically twisted for problems to show up, even a tiny misalignment can disrupt nerve communication.
Blair adjustments are:
- Gentle – no twisting, cracking, or scary moves
- Precise – tailored to your exact anatomy
- Effective – reducing brainstem pressure so nerves can do their job again
For people battling facial pain, twitching, dizziness, or ringing in the ears, Blair Upper Cervical care may be the missing piece of the puzzle.
Final Thought
Cranial nerves don’t usually make the highlight reel of everyday life, until they misfire. Then suddenly, chewing, smiling, or walking straight feels like a challenge. The trigeminal, facial, and vestibulocochlear nerves are small but mighty, and when the top of your neck is out of alignment, they can take the hit.
If you’ve been chasing answers for facial pain, drooping, or unexplained dizziness, don’t overlook your upper neck. A subtle shift there can create big problems, but with the right care, it can also unlock big relief. Reach out to us if you would like a free consultation with one of doctors to see if this would be a great fit for you.
