Exploring the Interaction Between Cranial Nerves V and VII in Chronic Eyelid Myokymia: A Case Report
Abstract
Eyelid myokymia involves involuntary contractions of the orbicularis oculi muscle and is commonly associated with stress, fatigue, and craniocervical factors. Emerging evidence suggests that altered trigeminocervical interactions and craniomandibular muscle tension may contribute to symptom persistence; however, the condition remains underrecognized in physical therapy. This report describes a 65-year-old woman with chronic benign eyelid myokymia and cervical pain who completed 12 physical therapy sessions that included suboccipital functional dry needling, temporomandibular soft-tissue mobilization (STM), and cervical stabilization exercises. A reduction in eyelid myokymia was first observed at the fifth visit, coinciding with the initiation of temporomandibular STM. These findings suggest that addressing temporomandibular soft-tissue dysfunction may influence eyelid myokymia through modulation of trigeminal–facial nerve interactions, supporting the need for further investigation into neuro-musculoskeletal treatment approaches
Recommended Citation
Miramontes, Karina; Adam Walsh; and Tomas Tafoya. "Exploring the Interaction Between Cranial Nerves V and VII in Chronic Eyelid Myokymia: A Case Report." Western Journal of Orthopaedics 15, 1 (2026). https://digitalrepository.unm.edu/wjo/vol15/iss1/13