Although facial paralysis can cause inconvenience in daily life, most patients can return to normal life within weeks to months with timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment, and the prognosis is generally good.
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The treatment and recovery of facial paralysis require individualized plans, and early diagnosis and active treatment are crucial for a good prognosis.Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has extensive experience in treating facial paralysis, primarily using syndrome differentiation and treatment through various methods such as Acupuncture, Tui Na therapy, and Chinese Medicine to promote the recovery of facial nerve function.
Traditional Chinese Medicine Special Therapies
1. Acupuncture Therapy
Through needling specific acupoints, acupuncture helps to unblock meridians, harmonize qi and blood, and promote the recovery of facial nerve function.
Main Acupoints: Yangbai (GB14), Cuanzhu (BL2), Sibai (ST2), Yingxiang (LI20), Jiache (ST6), Dicang (ST4), Xiaguan (ST7), Hegu (LI4), etc.
Treatment Method: Initially, the treatment is administered daily or every other day, with each session lasting 15-20 minutes. As symptoms improve, the frequency is gradually reduced.
2. Moxibustion Therapy
Moxibustion involves applying heat to specific acupoints using moxa to warm the meridians, dispel cold, unblock the channels, relieve pain, and promote the recovery of facial nerve function.
Common Acupoints: Guanyuan (CV4), Qihai (CV6), Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), etc.
Treatment Method: Gentle moxibustion is applied for 15-20 minutes per session, either daily or every other day.
3. Tui Na Therapy
Tui Na therapy involves massaging specific acupoints and meridians to unblock the channels, promote blood circulation, and improve facial nerve function.
Common Acupoints: Guanyuan (CV4), Qihai (CV6), Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), etc.
Treatment Method: Gentle moxibustion is applied for 15-20 minutes per session, either daily or every other day.
4. Gua Sha Therapy
Gua Sha stimulates the skin and acupoints by scraping to enhance local blood circulation, reduce facial muscle spasms, and promote recovery.
Common Acupoints: Facial and neck acupoints and meridians, such as Yingxiang (LI20), Jiache (ST6), Xiaguan (ST7), Fengchi (GB20), Fengfu (GV16), etc.
Treatment Method: Using a Gua Sha tool, scrape from the chin upwards to the forehead, and from the sides of the nose outward to the ears, with moderate pressure to avoid excessive force. Sessions are conducted 3-5 times per week, each lasting 10-15 minutes.
5. Internal Chinese Medicine Therapy
Wind-Cold Type Facial Paralysis
Herbal medicines to dispel wind and cold, unblock channels, and relieve pain, such as: Baifuzi (Rhizoma Typhonii), Jiangcan (Bombyx Batryticatus), Quanshe (Scorpio), Fangfeng (Radix Saposhnikoviae), Qianghuo (Rhizoma et Radix Notopterygii), Jingjie (Herba Schizonepetae), etc.
Wind-Heat Type Facial Paralysis
Herbal medicines to dispel wind and clear heat, detoxify and dissolve lumps, such as: Jinyinhua (Flos Lonicerae), Lianqiao (Fructus Forsythiae), Jingjie (Herba Schizonepetae), Bohe (Herba Menthae), Niubangzi (Fructus Arctii), Dandouchi (Semen Sojae Praeparatum), Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), etc.
Qi and Blood Deficiency Type Facial Paralysis
Herbal medicines to tonify qi and nourish blood, benefit qi and harmonize blood, such as: Dangshen (Radix Codonopsis), Baizhu (Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae), Fuling (Poria), Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), Danggui (Radix Angelicae Sinensis), Shudihuang (Radix Rehmanniae Preparata), Baishao (Radix Paeoniae Alba), Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), etc.
Phlegm-Dampness Obstruction Type Facial Paralysis
Herbal medicines to dry dampness, transform phlegm, and unblock the channels, such as: Chenpi (Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae), Banxia (Rhizoma Pinelliae), Fuling (Poria), Gancao (Radix Glycyrrhizae), Baijiezi (Semen Sinapis), Jiegeng (Radix Platycodonis), etc.
6. External Chinese Medicine Therapy
Chinese Medicine Fumigation
After decoction, Chinese medicines are used for fumigation on the face, which helps to warm the meridians, unblock channels, and promote facial blood circulation.
Common Chinese Medicines: Mugwort (Ai Ye), Chuanxiong (Rhizoma Chuanxiong), etc.
Chinese Medicine Plaster Application
Chinese medicines are made into a paste and applied externally to the affected areas of the face to promote blood circulation and remove stasis, helping to alleviate symptoms.
Common Chinese Medicines: Cassia Twig (Guizhi), Angelica Dahurica (Baizhi), etc.
Daily Care and Exercise
Comprehensive Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment can effectively promote the recovery of facial paralysis, but during the treatment process, patients should actively cooperate with the doctor’s treatment plan, maintain good living habits, and consistently perform daily facial care.
Facial Care
Hot Compress
Apply a warm towel or hot water bag to the affected side of the face for 15-20 minutes each time, 2-3 times a day, to help promote blood circulation.
Massage
Gently massage the face with the fingertips, moving from the chin upwards to the forehead, and then from the sides of the nose outward. Alternate between clockwise and counterclockwise motions for 10-15 minutes each time, 1-2 times a day. Use moderate pressure to avoid discomfort.
Eye Care
Artificial Tears
If eyes are dry, use artificial tears to keep them moist.
Protection During Sleep
Wear an eye mask at night to prevent dryness and infection.
Prevent Foreign Objects in Eyes
Wear glasses when going out to prevent foreign objects from entering the eyes and causing infection.
Muscle Exercises
Appropriate exercise and care can effectively reduce the symptoms of facial paralysis and accelerate the recovery process.
Practice the following exercises 2-3 times a day, repeating each movement 10-20 times, and hold each position for 5-10 seconds.
Eyebrow Exercises
Frown: Furrow your brows downward as much as possible, then relax.
Raise Eyebrows: Lift your eyebrows upward as much as possible, then relax.
Eye Exercises
Close Eyes: Squeeze your eyes shut tightly, then relax.
Blink: Blink quickly several times.
Nose Exercises
Wrinkle Nose: Wrinkle your nose as much as possible, then relax.
Mouth Exercises
Blow: Close your lips tightly and blow forcefully.
Smile: Smile widely, showing your teeth, then relax.
Pucker Lips: Pucker your lips as if to whistle, then relax.
Grin: Pull the corners of your mouth to the sides as much as possible, grinning, then relax.
Open Mouth Wide: Open your mouth as wide as possible, then relax.
Close Mouth Tightly: Close your mouth tightly, then relax.
Advanced Exercises
Move Corners of Mouth Side to Side: Move the corners of your mouth to one side forcefully, then move to the other side.
Puff Up Cheeks: Puff up your cheeks as if inflating a balloon, then relax.
Whistle: Pucker your lips as if to whistle forcefully, then relax.
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