1. Seek Timely Treatment
Make an appointment with a board-certified acupuncturist as soon as you are diagnosed with Bell's Palsy. Acupuncture is often very successful in relieving the pain and facial paralysis that come with the condition, especially when treatment is begun within the first two weeks of diagnosis. Your practitioner will insert a number of tiny, hairlike needles at various acupuncture points throughout your face and body to increase your body's healing energy flow, or Qi (pronounced Chee). Bell's Palsy patients who receive treatment within the first 10 to 14 days may experience restored circulation, increased muscle function and reduced numbness after only six to eight visits, although it may take further visits to achieve a maximum therapeutic affect. Do not discount acupuncture if you've had Bell's Palsy symptoms for several months or more, as many patients still get relief from this Eastern treatment. Remember, though--your therapy program may take significantly longer if you get a late start, and it may not alleviate all of your symptoms. Consult with a qualified acupuncturist to discuss treatment plans and recovery possibilities if you have a more advanced case of Bell's Palsy.
2. Incorporate Moxibustion Into Acupuncture Therapy
Heat is a valuable therapeutic tool in acupuncture, and is often used in Bell's Palsy treatment--especially by traditional Chinese practitioners. Moxibustion treatment is done by holding a lit, herbal moxa stick over pressure points or inserted needles for 5 to 15 minutes to clear obstructions in the Qi pathways and encourage energy flow. Moxibustion promotes healing by stimulating your body's immune system, restoring nerve sensation and improving muscle function. You'll experience a feeling of increasing warmth penetrating the affected skin, but moxibustion shouldn't hurt. It is more effective, however, if you allow the heat intensity to build as long as possible. Ask your acupuncturist to adjust the position of the moxa stick if the heat becomes unbearable.
3. Use Cupping to Increase Healing
Another mainstay of Chinese medicine is cupping, a form of therapy used to increase circulation, remove "stuck" energy and draw out harmful toxins in Bell's Palsy patients. Your acupuncturist will use an alcohol swab and a flame to create a vacuum, suctioning glass or plastic cups to your back at acupuncture points along your meridians, or energy pathways. While cupping pulls on the skin, it is not usually painful. You may notice red or bluish circular marks at the treated sites after the cups are removed, but they are not dangerous and will fade over the next several days. In fact, many Chinese practitioners can make important assessments about your health by examining the color and intensity of the cupping bruises.
4. Integrate Herbal Supplementation to Speed Recovery
Because some studies indicate that Bell's Palsy cases respond much better to acupuncture treatment when it is combined with herbal therapy, your acupuncturist may recommend an herbal blend to complement your therapy plan. Chinese herbs have three basic functions--to kill harmful bacteria or viruses, strengthen your body and promote a balanced system that leads to overall health. While you can buy herbal remedies at a local health food store, Chinese-trained practitioners are skilled in creating safe, balanced combinations of plant, mineral and flower substances to address hard-to-cure conditions such as Bell's Palsy. Chinese herbal medicine has a low risk of side effects, especially when prescribed and mixed by a trained acupuncturist or herbalist. In addition, practitioners often have access to unique herbs not available in over-the-counter form.
