Acupuncture treatment for Facial Nerve Palsy

Abstract

Facial paralysis occurs when the facial nerve, also known as cranial nerve VII, is damaged. This damage leads to weakness, drooping, and a loss of movement in the face, which can affect one side (unilateral) or both sides (bilateral). the condition develops for one of two reasons: facial nerves becomes damaged or swollen, or the area of the brain that carries signals to the facial muscles becomes damaged. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), facial paralysis is thought to result from a disruption in the body’s energy flow, known as qi. This disruption can be triggered by factors like wind, dampness, cold, emotional stress, or physical trauma. In this article is presented a case of 36 years old women with facial paralysis on the right side of the face with difficulty closing the eye and mouth curvature. The condition occurred on November 1, 2024 and is the first time the patient is facing such a problem. She came to our TCM center one week after the problem occurred. She immediately visited a doctor who prescribed a treatment regimen that included Decortin 20 mg, Аcyclovir, Аmoxiclav, and Neurovit. After a week she stopped taking the prescribed medication. She started acupuncture treatment on November 7, 2024. She has had a total of 12 treatments, the first five therapies were performed twice a week and the rest, once a week. After the tenth treatment, the patient had a significant improvement in her condition. Acupuncture may enhance blood circulation and support nerve regeneration, assisting in the recovery from symptoms of facial paralysis.

Keywords: Facial paralysis, nerve, acupuncture, TCM