Don’t be afraid of facial paralysis, Chinese medicine has a wonderful way to treat it!

A few days ago, a certain patient woke up to find that their eyes wouldn’t close, one eyebrow was higher than the other, and the corner of their mouth was crooked. They had difficulty eating and drinking, with food either falling out or leaking from their mouth. The whole situation was distressing. Anxious and concerned, they asked the doctor, “What’s happening to me? When will I get better?” The gentle and empathetic doctor reassured her, “Don’t worry, don’t worry. Traditional Chinese medicine has effective treatments.”

1. Let’s Understand What Facial Paralysis Is and Why It Occurs:

The most common type of facial palsy, Facial paralysis, is a condition where all the facial muscles on the same side become paralyzed due to facial nerve inflammation. There are various causes for Facial paralysis, with common factors being exposure to cold, infections, or compression that leads to facial nerve swelling and paralysis. Typically, patients who overexert themselves, stay up late, or have prolonged exposure to strong winds on the face can develop this condition. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, Facial paralysis is due to insufficiency of the body’s vital energy (qi), weakness in the collateral vessels, an inability to secure the exterior, the invasion of external pathogenic factors into facial meridians, stagnation of qi and blood, and malnourishment of the meridians. Clinical signs include a crooked mouth, paralysis of eye muscles leading to difficulty closing the eye, shallower nasolabial folds, noticeable slanting of the mouth to the healthier side when grinning, inability to whistle, air leakage when puffing the cheeks, and food often remaining in the mouth while eating. Also, some patients may experience decreased taste sensation on the front two-thirds of the tongue, facial numbness, and pain behind the ear on the affected side. If these symptoms are present, it is likely to be Facial paralysis. A confirmed diagnosis typically requires head CT, MRI, and other examinations in a hospital.

2. How Long Does It Take to Recover from Facial Paralysis? Are There Any Aftereffects?

Facial paralysis, as one of the common clinical disorders, can occur in individuals of all ages and both genders, from young children to elderly people in their seventies. Some patients may recover spontaneously, but the rate of spontaneous recovery is limited. In principle, timely detection, timely treatment, and increasing the cure rate are advised to prevent complications and complications. The duration of Facial paralysis treatment varies from person to person. Those with mild symptoms may recover in just over ten days, while those with more severe conditions may require acupuncture for one to two months. Younger patients tend to recover better, while older patients, especially those with concurrent conditions like diabetes and hypertension, may recover less effectively. Without timely treatment, Facial paralysis can lead to serious complications and aftereffects. This might involve involuntary muscle spasms in the face, failure to correct the eye’s incomplete closure, crooked mouth, and associated symptoms when facial muscles move, such as blinking when chewing.

3. How Is Facial Paralysis Treated?

Acupuncture has clear advantages in treating Facial paralysis. To achieve the best therapeutic effect, early acupuncture intervention is recommended. The choice of acupuncture points and treatment methods should be based on individual patient conditions. In the acute phase, distal points such as Fengchi, Hegu, and Taichong can be used effectively to reduce facial nerve swelling and improve facial blood circulation. In addition, bloodletting from distal points on the earlobe and fingers can be used in combination with Western medicine. After local inflammation and edema stabilize, standard facial acupuncture treatment can be performed, along with techniques like moxibustion, cupping therapy on the face, plum blossom needling, and infrared therapy, which are characteristic of traditional Chinese medicine.

4. What Should You Be Cautious About? What Self-Training Can You Do?

During the treatment of Facial paralysis, patients’ active self-expression muscle exercises can have a positive impact on recovery. Therefore, encouraging patients to engage in self-expression muscle rehabilitation exercises is crucial.

(1). Smiling Exercise: Smiling exercises primarily work on the zygomaticus major, levator labii, and levator anguli oris muscles. Limit movement on the healthier side, and you can provide some resistance to the corner of the mouth on the healthier side.

(2). Puckering Exercise: Puckering exercises mainly work on the orbicularis oris and mentalis muscles. Contract the upper and lower lips and push them forward with force.

(3). Tongue Exercise: Tongue exercises enhance tongue flexibility and stimulate facial nerves.

(4). Cheek Inflating Exercise: Cheek inflating exercises work on the orbicularis oris and buccinator muscles. Squeeze the upper and lower lips and blow air out forcefully.

Facial paralysis patients should also be cautious about avoiding cold and wind, especially during the winter. Shield your face from direct wind exposure when going outside by wearing a mask and, if necessary, a scarf. Use warm water for face washing, ensure adequate sleep, avoid excessive anxiety, and maintain a mainly light diet. Self-massage on the face with warmed hands is also encouraged. In the later stages of recovery, apply warm compresses to the face and the back of the neck.