Bell’s palsy is a neurological disorder that causes facial paralysis. This condition frequently affects only one side of the face. Bell’s palsy is caused by damage to the facial nerve, which controls the muscles on the face. Bell’s palsy affects everyone, but it is most common in young adults, the elderly, diabetics, and pregnant women.
What caused Bell’s Palsy?
Bell’s palsy occurs when the nerve that controls the facial muscles is swollen, inflamed, or compressed, resulting in facial weakness or paralysis. Precisely what causes this damage, however, is unknown. Most researchers believe that a viral infection such as viral meningitis or the common cold sore virus, herpes simplex causes the disorder. The disorder has also been associated with influenza or a flu-like illness, headaches, chronic middle ear infection, high blood pressure, diabetes, sarcoidosis, tumors, Lyme disease, and trauma such as skull fracture or facial injury.
How Does Acupuncture Treat Bell’s Palsy?
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), the diagnosis for Bell’s palsy is termed “External Wind-Cold attacking the channels of the face”. According to TCM principles, one of the main implications of this condition is an underlying Qi (a person’s inherent energy) deficiency. Wei Qi is a specific form of energy that protects us from external pathogens. If Wei Qi is weak (maybe due to stress, exhaustion, cold air blowing directly on the face, or recent illness), it can be dispersed by a substantial invasion of Wind, allowing Cold to enter the head and slow things down.
❤️ Electroacupuncture has been widely used in assisting patients suffering from “Facial Palsy”. This technique can stimulate facial nerve and moves facial muscles. Consistent acupuncture treatments (usually recommended twice per week) can help soothe a patient and expedite the resolution of paralysis, and enhance nerve function.
Patients suffering from Bell’s palsy may have several weeks of recovery time. Traditional Chinese Medicine and holistic healing have several options, from Chinese herbal remedies to massage and acupuncture to vitamin supplements, that patients may wish to investigate during their recovery.
