Acupuncture for Bell's palsy
Sudden facial weakness is frightening, and timing matters. Acupuncture is a long-standing, well-regarded support for facial-nerve recovery.
Bell's palsy is a sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face, caused by inflammation of the facial nerve. The face droops, the eye may not close, and expressions become difficult.
Acupuncture has been used for facial paralysis for a very long time, and it remains one of the treatments patients turn to. The sooner you start, the more support the recovering nerve and muscles get.
Symptoms we treat
If any of these sound like your experience, acupuncture is worth a conversation. This isn't a diagnosis, your first visit is.
Why acupuncture works here
We work three layers at once, local, segmental, and central, and choose the points based on what your body needs.
From first visit to plan
Every patient moves through the same four steps, without being rushed. Your first visit includes a consultation.
The clinical picture
Facial nerve paralysis is classified into supranuclear (central) and nuclear/infranuclear (peripheral) based on the location of the lesion. The most common type, Bell's palsy, is a representative peripheral disorder that generally responds well to traditional Korean medicine treatments. In contrast, facial nerve paralysis due to supranuclear lesions is more challenging to treat, necessitating early intervention with Korean medicine. The facial nerve controls most of the muscles distributed in the face, so when a problem occurs with the facial nerve, characteristic symptoms arise due to facial muscle relaxation, which can be summarized as follows:
- The facial muscles on the affected side relax, making it appear as if the muscles are pulled to the opposite side.
- It is possible to open the eyes, but closing them tightly is difficult.
- Difficulty blinking makes it hard to effectively protect against foreign substances entering the eyes.
- Difficulty in accurately gathering food between the teeth and cheek while eating.
- Inability to whistle.
Traditional Korean medicine treatments are effective when the facial nerve is compressed due to tissue atrophy, rigidity, and fluid retention (phlegm). These conditions occur when tissues in the face become atrophied and stiff due to external environmental changes, temperature fluctuations, or nutritional changes, resulting in poor circulation. Treatment involves resolving these issues with acupuncture and herbal medicine.
It's worth noting that although one might think facial sensation diminishes with facial nerve paralysis, sensation is often normal. This is because facial sensation is predominantly governed by the trigeminal nerve.
顔 face
Read an in Korean. Hanja are learned meaning first, then sound, so this one is 낯 안.