Marshall Holland, M.D., MS, assistant professor in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Department of Neurosurgery, served as an invited speaker at the Facial Pain Association’s (FPA) annual meeting this month, marking the organization’s first in-person gathering since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Held in the Twin Cities, the meeting brought together specialists across neurosurgery, neurology, orofacial pain, dentistry, pain medicine and more for collaborative discussion centered around one common goal: improving outcomes for people living with facial pain.
Unlike many medical conferences, the FPA’s annual event includes not only healthcare professionals, but also patients and their families. The unique structure allowed patients to hear directly from specialists—and in turn, share their experiences and feedback.
On Saturday, June 7, Holland delivered a lecture titled “A Framework for Facial Pain Classification,” offering a neurosurgeon’s perspective on evaluating facial pain. He walked attendees through the diagnostic process he uses in clinic, including how he differentiates between conditions with similar presentations and determines treatment paths. Holland emphasized that for most patients, a thorough history and physical exam remain the most valuable tools. During a “lunch and learn” session, Holland and other clinicians sat at designated tables where patients could approach them directly to ask questions, discuss their diagnoses or seek guidance.
On Sunday, June 8, Holland moderated a multidisciplinary panel on secondary causes of facial pain—cases that mimic classic trigeminal neuralgia symptoms but stem from other conditions, such as multiple sclerosis (MS), tumors or temporomandibular disorders. He also gave a targeted sub-lecture focusing on facial pain in patients with MS, a particularly challenging group to treat.
Unfortunately, for many patients living with complicated conditions, like chronic facial pain, access to specialty care often remains limited. Holland noted that some patients travel across multiple states to find providers trained in orofacial pain management.
The FPA, formerly known as the Trigeminal Neuralgia Association, is the leading patient advocacy organization supporting individuals affected by neuropathic facial pain. Through education, support and advocacy, the association connects patients and their loved ones with providers who are working to improve care through research and clinical excellence.