Question

Can a 14-month-old child undergo acupuncture treatment for facial palsy?

Answer

Acupuncture can be an option for treating a 14-month-old child with facial palsy. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that facial nerve paralysis is caused by the invasion of wind and cold into the meridians, or possibly due to nerve damage caused by herpes zoster virus infection. For viral facial palsy, antiviral and neural nutritional treatments are usually required. At the same time, combined treatment with standardized acupuncture and other traditional Chinese medicine therapies can be considered. Generally, the prognosis is good. After treatment, it is advisable to avoid wind and cold exposure."