I remember when my niece called me a few weeks before her wedding day. She was panicking and asking if acupuncture can help Bell’s Palsy. Like the many others, it can come on rather quickly and for no apparent reason. Some report having had been sleeping under a fan or with the window open or being under a more than usual amount of stress. I ended up driving to Las Vegas and doing acupuncture for a few consecutive days. Her smile and other muscles came back quickly and she had a beautiful wedding a week later.
I’ve treated Bell’s Palsy several times, and acupuncture is the best route to quickly restore function. Stimulating the nerve with local points is very effective and isn’t painful like you may expect.
What is Bell’s Palsy?
Bell’s palsy is an unexplained episode of facial muscle weakness or paralysis. It begins suddenly and worsens over 48 hours. This condition results from damage to the facial nerve (the 7th cranial nerve). Pain and discomfort usually occur on one side of the face or head.
Bell’s palsy can strike anyone at any age. It occurs often in pregnant women, and people who have diabetes, influenza, a cold, or another upper respiratory ailment. Bell’s palsy affects men and women equally. It is less common before age 15 or after age 60.
Bell’s palsy is not considered permanent, but in rare cases, it does not disappear. Currently, there is no known cure for Bell’s palsy; however, recovery usually begins 2 weeks to 6 months from the onset of the symptoms. Most people with Bell’s palsy recover full facial strength and expression.
Acupuncture can ease symptoms of this condition. Read below to find out more:
Now considered a mainstream option for several medical conditions, acupuncture is proving to be effective in treating and managing Bell’s Palsy. Studies have shown that acupuncture may provide up to 60-70% improvement rates – even for those experiencing chronic Bell’s Palsy.
It is always best to treat as soon as possible and as often as possible in the early stages.
An acupuncture session to treat Bell’s palsy could include a combination of facial cupping, massage, and acupuncture itself. The treatment can help reduce stress (a major trigger for Bell’s palsy) and help regain control of facial muscles by stimulating the facial nerves.
