Many people wake up in the morning to find that they have facial paralysis, also known as facial palsy. Traditional Chinese medicine usually uses acupuncture to treat facial paralysis. Can hot compress be applied after facial paralysis acupuncture treatment?
Can hot compress be applied after facial paralysis acupuncture treatment?
It is not recommended to apply hot compress immediately.
After acupuncture, it may sometimes puncture tiny blood vessels, causing local vascular dilation. If hot compress is applied, it may worsen vascular dilation and result in small hematomas, which is not conducive to further acupuncture and can easily cause infection.
Therefore, hot compress should not be applied immediately. It is recommended to wait for 2-3 hours before applying hot compress.
How many days should acupuncture be done for facial paralysis?
The recovery time for facial paralysis acupuncture treatment is between 10 and 40 days. The number of acupuncture sessions required for recovery varies among different individuals and depends on their symptoms. It is recommended to consult the attending physician based on individual conditions.
Facial paralysis patients often cannot perform basic facial movements such as raising eyebrows, closing eyes, or pursing lips. Traditional Chinese medicine acupuncture has significant advantages in treating facial paralysis and the nervous system. It mainly treats facial paralysis according to different stages, adjusts the local facial meridians through acupuncture to promote circulation and achieve recovery. Moreover, the diagnostic and treatment standards for acupuncture are relatively well-established.
What should be taken into consideration after facial paralysis acupuncture treatment?
1. Avoid cold drafts
After facial paralysis acupuncture treatment, avoid exposure to cold drafts and avoid consuming spicy and stimulating foods such as beef and lamb. The treated area should be washed with cool water and dried with a towel after washing.
2. Avoid contact with cold water
For the first day after facial paralysis acupuncture treatment, avoid contact with cold water to prevent invasion of cold and dampness.
3. Avoid air conditioning
After facial paralysis acupuncture treatment, avoid strong winds, especially from air conditioning, as sudden changes in temperature can cause significant harm to sensitive meridians and disrupt the effects of acupuncture.
How to exercise facial muscles after facial paralysis?
When facial muscles begin to recover, facial muscle strength training is needed, focusing on training facial expression muscles and contracting facial muscles. Examples of exercises include opening eyes, wrinkling forehead, sucking, curling lips, smiling, lifting mouth corners, whistling, pouting, and lowering jaw.
Each session should last about 20 minutes and should be done once a day until complete recovery.
What should be noted during facial paralysis treatment?
1. Facial paralysis patients should avoid washing their face with cold water, direct exposure to strong winds, and should pay attention to weather changes and dress appropriately to prevent catching a cold. After drinking alcohol, taking a bath, or washing hair, pores open up, so it is important to avoid exposure to wind and cold to prevent the invasion of external pathogens. In addition, strengthening exercise and improving physical fitness can enhance the body's resistance and prevent the invasion of external pathogens.
2. Due to incomplete or inability to fully close the eyelids in facial paralysis patients, eye blinking and corneal reflex may be delayed, leading to prolonged exposure of the cornea and increased risk of eye infections. During the illness, it is advisable to avoid watching TV or using mobile phones for long periods, minimize eye strain, wear sunglasses when going out to avoid strong light exposure, and use eye drops with lubricating and anti-inflammatory effects. When sleeping, eye masks or gauze can be used for protection.
3. Patients can practice voluntary movement of the paralyzed facial muscles in front of a mirror, performing actions such as raising eyebrows, wrinkling forehead, closing and opening eyes, lifting nose, smiling, showing teeth, puffing cheeks, and whistling. This should be done 2-3 times a day, for several minutes each time until fatigue. After that, massage the affected facial muscles for 5-10 minutes to promote local blood circulation.
4. For those with swelling and pain around the ears and cheeks, local hot compress can be applied to dispel wind, promote blood circulation, reduce swelling, and relieve pain. This can be done at home with a warm and moist towel, 1-2 times a day for 10-15 minutes each time.
5. Patients should avoid eating lamb, seafood, chili, and other raw, cold, and stimulating foods.
6. Adequate rest, regular lifestyle, emotional well-being, and sufficient sleep can contribute to faster recovery from facial paralysis.
