Question
Suddenly noticed that eating seems unnatural, as if the mouth is a bit crooked. By the third day, one side of the facial muscles cannot move. Many medications and ointments have not shown significant effects. It is said that acupuncture treatment is quite effective, so I want to try it. How long after facial paralysis can acupuncture treatment begin?
Answer
Facial paralysis, if treated promptly, usually has a good prognosis, with most patients gradually recovering in the short term. If treatment is not timely, a few patients may not fully recover and may experience symptoms such as facial muscle spasms or accompanying movements, such as the eyelid twitching on the affected side when blinking; or the affected side’s eyes involuntarily closing when showing teeth. These are sequelae of trigeminal neuritis. For the treatment of facial paralysis, both traditional Chinese and Western medicine have different methods. Traditional Chinese medicine, including Chinese herbs and acupuncture, has significant efficacy. For patients with facial paralysis, the earlier acupuncture treatment is initiated, the more helpful it is for the recovery of the condition. Traditional Chinese acupuncture treatment for facial paralysis typically involves needle insertion on the affected side of the patient.