Chinese Medicine
Facial palsy (Bell’s palsy)
One side of the face suddenly droops: the eye will not close, the mouth turns down. Most people recover, and acupuncture helps the facial nerve heal.
Please bring a list of the medicines, supplements and herbs you take now. A photo of your face from before helps to compare.
First, check the cause
Bell’s palsy affects the face only, often the whole side, including the forehead. Dr. Pan examines you and checks for other causes, such as an ear infection, shingles, or Lyme disease.
How it is treated
- Steroid medicine, and sometimes an antiviral.
- Acupuncture: very thin needles, alongside the medicine. It is a long-established treatment for facial palsy in Chinese medicine, and helps the facial nerve recover. With steroid medicine as well, many patients recover better.
- Chinese herbs, prescribed for your pattern, to dispel wind and open the channels of the face. They are checked against the medicines you already take.
How many visits
A visit soon after it starts, then follow-ups. Acupuncture is usually once or twice a week during recovery. Most people get better within weeks to a few months.
Common questions
Will my face go back to normal?
Most people recover fully or nearly fully. Medicine, with acupuncture alongside, helps the facial nerve recover.
When should I start acupuncture?
Right away, together with the medicine. Acupuncture works well alongside it and helps the facial nerve recover.
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Seen in King of Prussia
Patients travel from King of Prussia, Wayne, Bryn Mawr, Villanova, Radnor, Conshohocken, Malvern, Phoenixville, Devon and Berwyn.