Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Facial Paralysis
Facial paralysis or Bell’s palsy occurs when a person is unable to move some or all of the muscles on one side of the face. The facial nerve is one of the twelve nerves directly connected to the brain. It primarily controls facial muscle movement, eye and mouth closure, the secretion of tears and saliva, and some taste sensations. In some diseases, this nerve stops transmitting information from the brain to the areas it controls, or vice versa, resulting in facial paralysis.
There are multiple causes that can lead to alterations along the facial nerve’s path, causing facial paralysis. The most common facial paralysis (in 80% of cases) is that which has no apparent cause (Bell’s palsy). Internal causes include tumors, heart attacks, or cerebral vascular malformations. Likewise, certain external causes can cause facial paralysis, such as head trauma with a temporal bone fracture, certain toxic agents and metabolic diseases, and viral or bacterial infections. Finally, congenital facial paralysis can occur (Moebius syndrome).
The symptoms most frequently associated with facial paralysis are diverse. Before the paralysis, a mild cold and pain of varying intensity in the facial region may occur. The paralysis develops within a few hours and can sometimes worsen for another 24 or 48 hours. Asymmetry occurs due to lack of mobility on one side of the face. It also leads to the inability to smile and difficulty closing the eye, with changes in tearing and speech. Difficulty raising the eyebrow, a flat forehead, nasal breathing problems, biting of the oral mucosa, accumulation of food in the back of the mouth, and saliva dripping are also quite common.
According to TCM, facial paralysis originates from an imbalance of Qi blood and Jing Jin. Qi is an active principle that is part of every living being and can be translated as “vital energy flow.” To understand Jing Jin, you must conceive of the human body as a network of channels or meridians that connect all structures and tissues. Jin Jing is made up of 12 muscle-tendon meridians that affect the muscles and nerves of the body.
An acupuncture treatment for facial paralysis will include a combination of local points on the face and distal points on the arms and legs. The number of each will vary for each individual, depending on whether the underlying cause of the paralysis is in the face or at a deeper level within the body. Modifications will also be made to address specific problems such as failure of the eye to close completely, drooping of the mouth, painful or tingling sensations, or other symptoms that concern the patient.
Treatment for paralysis of any part of the body generally involves electroacupuncture to help stimulate the muscles and nerves in the paralyzed area. For facial paralysis, stimulation will be directed at points on the face and induce slight contractions.
In milder cases treated promptly, patients will often experience complete recovery of sensorimotor function in the face. For traumatic injuries or other severe cases, regular and consistent treatment is necessary for several months to ensure the greatest possible functional recovery.
