Bells Palsy
What is Bell's Palsy
Sudden Facial Weakness or Paralysis
Bell’s palsy is an acute peripheral facial neuropathy condition that causes sudden weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face. It makes half the face appear to droop, smiles are one-sided, and the eye on the affected side is hard to close. Patients may experience headache, tearing or drooling in addition to pain or discomfort on one side of their face or head. It typically results from swelling and irritation of the facial nerve and while the etiology is unknown, it often occurs after a viral infection. Both men and women are affected equally, and this condition can occur at any age, though it is more common between the ages of 15-60.
Who is at risk?
Bell’s palsy occurs most often in pregnant women or people with diabetes, influenza, cold or other upper respiratory ailment.
Is there a cure?
There is no cure for Bell’s palsy, and in most cases, it is not permanent as most people are able to recover full facial strength and expression.
Alternative Treatment Options
Acupuncture Can Help
Studies show that acupuncture can be an effective treatment for Bell’s palsy. It can help to stimulate the facial nerve, reduce inflammation, and promote the flow of blood to the affected area. This helps to reduce pain, improve muscle function, and speed up recovery time. At Restoration Health, we’ve been very successful in helping patients who suffered from Bell’s palsy return to normal quickly. It is best to treat Bell’s palsy in its acute phase, as close to onset as possible, as the longer one has the condition, the more treatment is typically needed to reverse the effects.
References:
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/bells-palsy
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bells-palsy/symptoms-causes/syc-20370028
https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/bells-palsy
