Melbourne acupuncture Chinese medicine

General introduction

Bell’s palsy is a paralysis of the facial nerve resulting in inability to control facial muscles on the affected side. It is a peripheral facial paralysis rather than the central nervous system. Several conditions can cause a facial paralysis, However, if no specific cause can be identified (such as brain tumor, stroke, or Lyme disease), the condition is called as Bell's palsy.

The onset of Bell's palsy generally come on quickly, often in a matter of hours or overnight, and there may be pain behind/below the ear.

Main symptom:

Paralysis or weakness on one side of the face, along with a sagging eyebrow and difficulty closing the eye.

Other possible symptoms:

• Numbness of the face;
• Difficulty in speaking;
• Loss of taste in the front portion of the tongue;
• Dryness or watering of the affected eye, and a turned out lower eyelid;
• Dribbling when drinking or after cleaning teeth;
• Ear pain, especially below the ear;
• Tearing at the affected eye;
• Intolerance to loud noises on the affected side.

Rarely, new nerve fibres that grow back after paralysis connect to the wrong facial muscle. This can result in lasting damage, and cause one or several of the following:

• Blinking when attempting to smile;
• Involuntary movement of the corners of the mouth when closing the eyes;
• Twitching;
• Facial spasms;

Traditional Chinese medicine view of Bell's palsy

In traditional Chinese medicine, this condition is due to "Qi" deficiency allows pathogenic wind-cold attacking the channels. This can occur when a patient is exposed to wind (e.g.sleeping near an open window, driving with the windows down, going on a boat when the winds are strong).

Often people with Bell's palsy have a deficient immune system (possibly due to emotional stress, physically over strain, improper diet, unresolved or chronic illness). As a result, they are more vulnerable to external pathogenic factors such as bacteria or virus.

The external pathogens cause inflammation in the affected region resulting in swelling of the surrounding tissues. This swelling can then affect the normal function of the facial nerves. As a result, the facial muscles becomes lax or paralyzed.

The lack of nourishment to the local area can therefore cause symptoms of numbness and tingling, which are common signs of Qi and/or blood deficiency in Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Treatment with Acupuncture and Chinese herbs

Treatment principle:

• expel wind;
• invigorate Qi and blood flow;
• nourish muscle and tendons;
• strengthen Defensive Qi for prolonged or reoccurent cases

Common used Acupuncture methods for Bell's palsy

• Acupuncture points: SJ17, LI4, LI11, ST4, ST7
• methods include: filiform acupuncture, electro acupuncture, cupping therapy, moxibustion

Common herbal formula for Bell's palsy:

• Ying Qiao San
• Qian Zheng San