BELL'S

Bell’s Palsy is a unique condition that freezes one half of the face. You may feel like half of your face is cold and numb, as if you have gotten anesthesia from the dentist. With side paralyzed, you can only smile or frown using half of your face. Even worse, it may be impossible to shut your eye or that side of your mouth. It’s disfiguring, may cause anxiety, and it seems to strike when you least expect it.

The Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy

This condition is caused by damage to nerves that paralyzes half of the face, meaning you’re unable to move your muscles. Other symptoms include tearing of the eyes since they can’t be closed, and possibly drooling from the side of the mouth that can’t be moved. It will also be accompanied by distortions of taste and a tingly feeling around the lips.

What Causes Bell’s Palsy and Who Is at Risk

According to Western medicine, the cause is nerve damage to the peripheral nervous system (in other words, not the central nervous system). This damage could be caused by hemorrhage, hypertension, an injury or other causes. Many people mistakenly believe it’s caused by a stroke because of its stroke-like symptoms, but this is not the case. Actually, the real causes are unknown. It is most common among pregnant women and those who suffer from diabetes. Bell’s Palsy strikes 1 in 5,000 Americans.

The Traditional Chinese Medicine Diagnosis

Since traditional Chinese medicine looks at the whole organism and bases its diagnosis accordingly, as you might expect it lists different causes. The cause, according to TCM, is an invasion of ‘cold wind’ and the pathology referred to as zhong feng, which means, “wind attack.” Understand that wind may invade empty energy channels wreaking havoc. We all know that wind carries diseases and pathogens; Chinese medicine takes it a step further stating that wind keeps the qi and blood flowing. Cold wind, however, is a form of stagnation of blood and energy causing paralysis to your face.

While Western medicine may use hormone therapy getting limited results, traditional Chinese medicine uses acupuncture and a variety of treatments to remove the wind and restore feeling – and the results are very good!

Acupuncture Treatment for Bell’s Palsy

Acupuncture has been very successful in treating this condition, especially if you start treatments early. It can get your face back to normal. Different doctors use different treatments, but they will usually use acupuncture, massage, therapeutic exercises and a heat lamp to stimulate acupuncture points to free up the flow in the body alleviating pain and reduce swelling. Compared to other ailments, Bell’s palsy takes a number of treatments; it may take up to 10 visits to get you back to normal.

In addition to needles, cupping and patches are often used for Bell’s Palsy because of their effective results. The doctor might also use electro-stimulation to get the nerves working again. Usually prescribed are herbs, lifestyle changes and therapeutic facial exercises. The doctor might ask you to make sure your windows are closed at night, avoid air conditioners and drafty rooms. If you sleep with a fan, they might ask you to stop.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal therapy offer an all-natural alternative to hormone therapy, and it’s one that actually works. With several acupuncture treatments and a few lifestyle changes, you can get your face back to normal.