Nerves & senses
Acupuncture for Facial Paralysis
Facial paralysis often develops overnight. While brushing your teeth you notice water running from the corner of your mouth, or in the mirror you see that one side of your face no longer moves. That is a shock. Acupuncture and laser acupuncture can be used alongside conventional care to support the recovery of the facial nerve.
What is facial paralysis?
With facial paralysis, the facial nerve (nervus facialis) does not work properly on one side of the face. This nerve controls the muscles you use to smile, frown, close your eyes and puff your cheeks. The most common form is Bell’s palsy, also called peripheral facial palsy.
Symptoms usually develop within one to two days: a drooping corner of the mouth, an eye that does not close properly, difficulty frowning or whistling, and food or drink running from the mouth. Sometimes this comes with pain behind the ear, an altered sense of taste, a dry or watering eye and sensitivity to sound.
In Bell’s palsy, the nerve becomes inflamed and swollen, probably due to a viral infection. Most people recover largely or fully within a few weeks to months. In some, residual symptoms remain, such as a crooked smile, stiffness in the face or the eye moving along when eating.
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Facial paralysis from a TCM perspective
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, sudden facial paralysis is seen as external Wind entering the meridians of the face, often at a moment when resistance is lowered. As a result, the flow of Qi and Blood stalls and the muscles are no longer properly nourished. In a later phase, attention shifts to restoring and nourishing the affected area.
Wind-Cold
Feng HanWhen the paralysis developed after exposure to cold, draught or wind, for example after sleeping by an open window, TCM describes Wind-Cold. This is associated with a stiff, cold feeling in the face without clear pain.
Wind-Heat
Feng ReWhen the paralysis comes with pain behind the ear, a sore throat, fever or a dry mouth, TCM describes Wind-Heat.
Qi and Blood deficiency
Qi Xue Liang XuWhen recovery takes a long time and residual symptoms remain, such as weak muscles or a tired feeling in the face, TCM describes insufficient nourishment of the area by Qi and Blood.
How can acupuncture and laser acupuncture help with facial paralysis?
How treatment is given depends on the phase: shortly after the paralysis developed, or with residual symptoms that remain after weeks or months. In both cases, treatment is tailored to what is happening in your face and body.
- 01Early phase: in the first weeks, mainly distant points on the hands, arms and legs are treated, supplemented with gentle treatment around the ear and face. In this phase in particular, a higher treatment frequency is often used in practice.
- 02Laser treatment of the face: points along the course of the facial nerve and around the eye and mouth can be treated needle-free with therapeutic laser light. Laser and needles can also be combined.
- 03Residual symptoms: with stiffness, a crooked smile or muscles that do not fully return, treatment focuses more on the affected area to support circulation and nourishment of the muscles.
- 04Underlying factors: attention is also given to what may influence recovery, such as fatigue, stress and sleep.
Prefer no needles?
Every treatment can also be carried out completely needle-free with laser acupuncture, in which the same points are treated with therapeutic laser light. Ear acupuncture is always carried out with the laser. Acupressure, which also uses no needles, can be used as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Bell’s palsy?
Bell’s palsy is the most common form of facial paralysis. The facial nerve on one side of the face becomes inflamed and swollen, probably due to a virus. As a result, the facial muscles on that side temporarily do not work properly.
Can acupuncture help with facial paralysis?
Acupuncture can be used as support alongside conventional care, both shortly after onset and with residual symptoms. The degree of change people experience varies per person.
When is the best time to start acupuncture?
Preferably as early as possible, after your GP has seen you. But even if the paralysis has existed for some time and residual symptoms remain, acupuncture can still be used.
Has acupuncture for Bell’s palsy been researched?
Yes, research has been done, mainly in China and Korea. Some studies describe faster or more complete recovery with early treatment, and less stiffness and better symmetry with residual symptoms. The quality of the studies varies and results differ per person.
Can laser acupuncture be used for facial paralysis?
Yes. Laser light can be applied needle-free to points on the face, along the facial nerve and around the eye and mouth. It can be used on its own or combined with needles.
How many treatments are needed?
This depends on the severity of the paralysis and how long it has existed. In the early phase, treatment is often more frequent. After the first treatments, we review together how recovery is progressing and what a suitable follow-up would be.
Personal Treatment Plan
Recovering from facial paralysis?
During a first appointment, we look at which phase of recovery you are in and which form of acupuncture suits you, with or without needles.