Frey’s syndrome Detailed Information

Frey’s syndrome also known as Baillarger’s syndrome, Dupuy’s syndrome, Auriculotemporal syndrome or Frey-Baillarger syndrome. Frey’s Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that results from injury or surgery near the parotid glands (which manufacture saliva), damaging the facial nerve. The parotid glands are the main salivary glands and are located on the side of the face below and in front of the ear. The Auriculotemporal branch of the Mandibular nerve carries sympathetic fibers to the sweat glands of the scalp and parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland. As a effect of severance and inappropriate regeneration, the fibers may switch courses, resulting in “Gustatory Sweating” or sweating in the anticipation of eating, instead of the normal salivatory response. This syndrome is characterized by flushing or sweating on one side of the face when certain foods are consumed. The symptoms usually are mild and well tolerated by most individuals. Flushing prevalent in females, sweating in males. It can persist for life. Some cases are congenital and probably due to birth trauma. The symptoms of Frey’s syndrome are redness and sweating on the cheek area adjacent to the ear. They can appear when the affected person eats, sees, thinks about or talks about certain kinds of food which produce strong salivation. Treatment ranges from reassurance to re-operation. Thus, for many folks, simply explaining the problem suffices. There are other treatment options, in order of increasing aggressiveness. Treatments include injection of botulinum toxin type A. Topical application of a roll-on antiperspirant. Topical application of stronger “drying” drugs, such as scopolamine. Application of an ointment containing an anticholinergic drug such as scopolamine Surgical transection of the nerve fibers known as “tympanic neurectomy. An operation on the middle ear known as “tympanic neurectomy.” The culprit nerves traverse the middle ear en route to the parotid gland; in the middle ear, they are often obvious enough that they can be identified (and cut) with the aid of an operating microscope. An operation in which the cheek skin is again elevated off the region of the parotid gland and a layer of tissue (produced from another part of the patient’s body) is transplanted below the skin. This interrupts the errant autonomic nerves, and places a barrier between them and the sweat glands of the skin.

Let me start with the facts. These “facts” are not just hypothetical ideas. They are actual statistics and actual studies that show that chiropractic care for children is not only safe, it is vital. Take these figures into account:

- A study done by Abraham Towbin, M.D., an expert in pathology, shows that“Spinal cord and brain stem injuries occur often during the process of birth but frequently escape diagnosis.” (Towbin, A., “Latent Spinal Cord and brain Stem Injury in Newborn Infants”, Develp Med. Child. Neurol, 11:54-68,1969) This often leads to something known as Blocked Atlantal Nerve Syndrome, a primary cause of upper respiratory infections including ear infections and chronic tonsillitis. (Gutman, G., “Blocked Atlantal Nerve Syndrome In Infants and Small Children”, Manuelle Medizin, 1987)

- A study in which Blocked Atlantal Nerve Syndrome was corrected with chiropractic care showed that 40 out of 43 children studied who were suffering from ear infections improved with chiropractic care alone within two weeks of being adjusted. (Froehle, R.M., J Manipulative Physiol Ther, 1996 Mar-Apr;19(3):169-77)

- A study by J.E. Upledger showed a definite and significant relationship between restrictions in movement of the upper neck area of the spine and children with learning disabilities. (Upledger, J.E., J Am Osteopath Assoc, 1978 Jun;77(10):760-76)

What we have going on here is a high prevalence of something known as “birth trauma” that is causing children to suffer as they grow. When bones misalign they press on nerves. When this happens, the whole body suffers as a result. These misalignments are known as “subluxations.” So the question is what type of healthcare practitioner is trained and qualified to diagnose and correct such a condition? Only a Doctor of Chiropractic can do this, particularly one who has specialized training in the care of pediatric patients.

Birth trauma causes DIRECT impingement on the tiny nerves of a child. However, there are two other major reasons why subluxations may occur indirectly: mental stress and toxic stress. While mental stress may not be so prevalent in childhood years, toxic stress is, particularly because many vaccinations contain compounds such as thimerosal and formaldehyde as preservatives. A child’s immune system isn’t even fully developed until after the age of two years. Thus, vaccinating a child before the immune system is even capable of handling such an antigen can impair the immune system’s response at a later time. This is why many children still may develop a disease even though they have been vaccinated against it.

I am often asked by mothers-to-be what is the safest way to give birth in order to minimize the occurrence of birth trauma. They are pleased to learn that the upright or squatting positions are not only easier on the baby, but they are much more comfortable on mom as well. The baby has the benefit of having a gravity-assisted birth that minimizes the amount of force being placed on the baby’s head and neck. Mom doesn’t feel as much pain because the baby is not pressing down on the sacral plexus of nerves as it usually is in the typical “lithotomy” position (mom lying flat on her back with legs up in stirrups). These safer, less painful positions minimize the chance that both mom and her baby will suffer from a subluxation.

Children who receive regular chiropractic care do indeed live healthier lives. While I was a chiropractic intern at Life University in Marietta, GA, I met many people my own age who have never been sick in their life. They said that the key to their abounding level of wellness was that they have never received a vaccination and they’ve been receiving chiropractic care since the day they were born. I have seen for myself how much happier and vibrant children who receive chiropractic care are. It is so heartwarming to see children who no longer have to take medications such as Ritalin, asthma medications, or antibiotics because they started receiving chiropractic care instead. Seeing a child who was once sickly be able to laugh and play with other kids in an optimal state of wellness gives me the greatest joy. Chiropractic works!

Frey’s syndrome Detailed Information
by Juliet Cohen

Frey’s syndrome also known as Baillargers syndrome, Dupuys syndrome, Auriculotemporal syndrome or Frey-Baillarger syndrome. Frey’s Syndrome is a rare neurological disorder that results from injury or surgery near the parotid glands (which manufacture saliva), damaging the facial nerve. The parotid glands are the main salivary glands and are located on the side of the face below and in front of the ear. The Auriculotemporal branch of the Mandibular nerve carries sympathetic fibers to the sweat glands of the scalp and parasympathetic fibers to the parotid gland.

As a effect of severance and inappropriate regeneration, the fibers may switch courses, resulting in “Gustatory Sweating” or sweating in the anticipation of eating, instead of the normal salivatory response. This syndrome is characterized by flushing or sweating on one side of the face when certain foods are consumed. The symptoms usually are mild and well tolerated by most individuals. Flushing prevalent in females, sweating in males. It can persist for life. Some cases are congenital and probably due to birth trauma. The symptoms of Frey’s syndrome are redness and sweating on the cheek area adjacent to the ear.

They can appear when the affected person eats, sees, thinks about or talks about certain kinds of food which produce strong salivation. Treatment ranges from reassurance to re-operation. Thus, for many folks, simply explaining the problem suffices. There are other treatment options, in order of increasing aggressiveness. Treatments include injection of botulinum toxin type A. Topical application of a roll-on antiperspirant. Topical application of stronger “drying” drugs, such as scopolamine. Application of an ointment containing an anticholinergic drug such as scopolamine

Surgical transection of the nerve fibers known as “tympanic neurectomy. An operation on the middle ear known as “tympanic neurectomy.” The culprit nerves traverse the middle ear en route to the parotid gland; in the middle ear, they are often obvious enough that they can be identified (and cut) with the aid of an operating microscope. An operation in which the cheek skin is again elevated off the region of the parotid gland and a layer of tissue (produced from another part of the patients body) is transplanted below the skin. This interrupts the errant autonomic nerves, and places a barrier between them and the sweat glands of the skin.