Facial paralysis, also known as facial nerve paralysis, can be caused by central or peripheral factors. Central facial paralysis is mainly caused by cerebrovascular diseases and is often accompanied by hemiplegia. Peripheral facial paralysis is mainly caused by exposure to wind or viral infections and is the most common type. If you have facial paralysis, you can perform self-massage therapy, which involves the following steps.
1. Gentle Face Patting
Place four fingers together and use both hands to pat from the chin along the sides of the nose to the forehead. Then, pat from the forehead to the temples and continue along the cheeks to the chin. Pat gently and repeat this motion 8 times.
2. Pinching the Affected Side of the Forehead
Use the thumb and index finger of one hand to pinch the affected side of the forehead, from the eyebrow to the temple, and repeat this motion 8 times.
3. Rubbing the Temples
The temples are located at the midpoint between the outer corner of the eye and the end of the eyebrow. Use the base of your palm to rub the temples upward from the affected side towards the top of the ear. Repeat this motion 32 times.
4. Pressing and Massaging the Four White Acupoints
The Four White Acupoints are located half a finger's width below the pupil. Use your index finger to press and massage the Four White Acupoints in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, repeating each motion 16 times.
5. Rubbing the Di Cang Acupoint
The Di Cang Acupoint is located one finger's width beside the corner of the mouth. Use the base of your palm to rub the Di Cang Acupoint from the affected side towards the root of the ear. Repeat this motion 32 times.
6. Pressing and Massaging the Yi Feng Acupoint
The Yi Feng Acupoint is located in the depression behind the earlobe. Use your index finger to press and massage the Yi Feng Acupoint in a clockwise and counterclockwise direction, repeating each motion 16 times.
Repeat the above steps in the morning and evening, and remember to keep your face warm. Through the massage, you can promote the flow of vital energy, harmonize facial blood circulation, and facilitate the recovery from the disease.
