Acupuncture for Bells Palsy & Facial Neuralgia
"My face is less puffy and there's been a huge improvement in my eye. It's much less droopy, and the eyebrow has lifted up, more or less back to normal. And my eye is less watery. All in all its an amazing difference in just 18 days since starting acupuncture." |
"I am writing to tell you how much my husband and I have appreciated your thoughtfulness and care throughout the duration of his treatment for the pain in his face and jaw. The acupuncture has made an enormous difference, and he now manages without the strong painkillers prescribed by the hospital." "Bell's palsy is a weakness of the facial muscles. It develops suddenly, usually on one side of the face. The cause is not clear but most cases are probably due to a viral infection.” [source www.patient.co.uk/health/bells-palsy]
In most cases of simple Bells Palsy, most people will make a full recovery within 6-12 weeks, but if the damage to the nerves is more significant then it is generally accepted that a full recovery will take longer, maybe up to 9 months.
I am happy to see any client with Bell’s Palsy and usually I am able to successfully improve the condition with Acupuncture. I tend to see people who are failing to progress at the rate expected, having had their condition diagnosed by a Doctor and/or a Specialist.
Some people also suffer from post viral fatigue after an episode of Bells Palsy, which I may also be able to help with (click here for more information). In addition, a condition that may take 9 months to resolve itself, may in itself cause a client to feel environmentally stressed because they feel unwell. Acupuncture may also be a benefit to help people cope with this stress.
This excerpt is taken from the Facial Palsy website www.facialpalsy.org.uk/advice/therapies/acupuncture/185
“Acupuncture is believed to stimulate the nervous system by influencing the production of hormones and neurotransmitters. The resulting biochemical changes activate the body's self-regulating systems, stimulating its natural healing abilities and promoting physical and emotional well-being.
Clinical trials suggest that acupuncture is at least as effective as corticosteroids and may improve recovery in patients with acute facial palsy, either used alone or in combination with drug treatment. It is important to note, however, that most of the trials to date have been of poor quality, which allows only tentative conclusions to be reached.
Important note: Guidelines recommend that all patients diagnosed with Bell's palsy should receive steroids within the first 72 hours of the onset of their symptoms. Acupuncture should not be seen as an alternative to steroids.”
Acupuncture may help in the treatment of acute facial palsy by:
- reducing inflammation
- improving circulation
- improving well-being and healing speed
- releasing tight tissue, muscle and fascia
- improving relaxation"
The following quote is taken from the NHS Choices website www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Bells-palsy/Pages/Treatment.aspx
“Research has suggested that facial exercises, relaxation techniques and acupuncture may help speed up the recovery of Bell’s palsy and restore facial nerve function.”