Acupuncture is a commonly used method in traditional Chinese medicine for treating facial paralysis. However, some people may experience facial pain after acupuncture. So, what should you do if you experience facial pain after acupuncture for facial paralysis?
What to Do If You Have Facial Pain After Acupuncture for Facial Paralysis
If you experience facial pain after acupuncture for facial paralysis, it is likely a residual sensation from the needling. Usually, resting for a while will help alleviate and fade the symptoms of facial pain.
During this time, it is important to avoid exposing your face to drafts, avoid air conditioning, and refrain from washing your face with cold water. Additionally, you should avoid consuming spicy and stimulating foods, as well as beef and mutton.
Does Facial Pain in Facial Paralysis Improve?
Facial pain in facial paralysis does not necessarily indicate improvement.
In the early stage of facial paralysis, there may be pain, varying in severity, often caused by exposure to cold. Some facial paralysis patients may start experiencing pain after one month of onset, while others may continue to experience it. In reality, this pain is caused by the fact that the facial paralysis condition has not fundamentally improved, and there is still inflammation in the internal facial nerve.
It is recommended to continue treatment and undergo a detailed examination at a reputable hospital to obtain a clear diagnosis and receive targeted treatment based on clinical symptoms.
Signs of Improvement After Acupuncture for Facial Paralysis
1. Stronger Eye Opening
After acupuncture for facial paralysis, the recovery of the eyes takes precedence over the mouth. Treatment can significantly improve uncontrollable tearing and strengthen eye opening.
2. Appearance of Forehead Wrinkles
Subsequently, the recovery of the muscles around the eyes follows a certain order. The appearance of forehead wrinkles occurs first, followed by increased strength in closing the eyes and the appearance of crow's feet.
Next, the appearance of wrinkles on the lower eyelids improves. Patients will feel that their eyes are opening and closing with increasing strength.
3. Restoration of Mouth Function
At the same time, the sensation of chewing in the mouth gradually becomes stronger. Symptoms such as drooling and difficulty eating rice gradually improve. As eye function fully recovers, mouth function quickly returns to normal. Patients will no longer experience drooling, food getting stuck, or biting their lips. The nasolabial groove also becomes deeper.
4. Facial Symmetry
After acupuncture for facial paralysis, the asymmetry of the face gradually improves, and patients can noticeably feel that their face is becoming symmetrical, essentially returning to normal.
Acupuncture Methods and Treatment Course for Facial Paralysis
The course of facial paralysis is approximately 40 days, meaning that most patients require about 40 days from onset to recovery. Even with timely and effective treatment, the process still takes more than 20 days. Facial paralysis can be divided into three stages: acute stage, stagnant stage, and recovery stage. If complete recovery does not occur after 40 days, it enters the sequelae stage. Now, let's take a closer look at the characteristics of the three stages of facial paralysis and the corresponding treatment methods.
(1) Acute Stage
The acute stage of facial paralysis starts from the first day of onset, counting 7 days from when mouth and eye deviation is detected.
Clinical manifestations include mouth and eye deviation, incomplete closure of the affected side's eyelid, tearing in the wind, disappearance or shallowening of the nasolabial groove, inability to make expressions like frowning or wrinkling the forehead, and deviation of the mouth corner toward the unaffected side.
Treatment principle: Expel wind and activate meridians, regulate and invigorate channels and collaterals.
Acupoints: Mainly from the hand and foot Yangming meridians, select acupoints Yifeng, Hegu, Yangbai, Dicang, Quan Liao, and Jia Che.
All needling is done on the affected side.
(2) Stagnant Stage
The stagnant stage starts from the 8th day of onset and lasts until the 17th day, totaling 10 days. During this period, the degree of facial asymmetry will not worsen, general symptoms will lessen or disappear after treatment, but mouth and eye deviation will still be present.
Clinical manifestations include mouth and eye deviation, incomplete closure of the affected side's eyelid, tearing in the wind, disappearance or shallowening of the nasolabial groove, inability to make expressions like frowning or wrinkling the forehead, and deviation of the mouth corner toward the unaffected side.
Treatment principle: Expel pathogenic factors and activate meridians.
Acupoints: Fengchi, Hegu, Yangbai, Sibai, Shangguan, Yingxiang, Xiaguan, Qianzheng, Dicang, Jia Che, and Jiachengjiang.
All needling is done on the affected side.
(3) Recovery Stage
The recovery stage begins on the 18th day after facial paralysis and lasts until the 40th day, totaling 23 days. Some patients recover quickly, with a shorter recovery period of 15 days or less. At this time, general symptoms gradually disappear, and facial muscle function gradually recovers.
Clinical manifestations include improvement in facial paralysis, gradual increase and deepening of forehead wrinkles on the affected side, deepening of the nasolabial groove, narrowing or complete closure of the eye slit (though not tightly closed), and gradual correction of mouth corner deviation.
Treatment principle: Tonify qi and blood, promote blood circulation and activate meridians.
Acupoints: Mainly from the stomach meridian of the foot Yangming. Select acupoints Yangbai, Sibai, Quan Liao, Hegu, Dicang, and Jia Che.
All needling is done on the affected side.
Precautions During Facial Paralysis Treatment
1. Facial paralysis patients should avoid washing their face with cold water, direct exposure to drafts, and be mindful of weather changes. Add clothing in a timely manner to prevent catching a cold. After drinking alcohol, taking a bath, or washing the hair, the body's pores will open, so it is important to avoid wind and cold to prevent the invasion of external pathogenic factors. Additionally, strengthening exercise and enhancing physical fitness can boost the body's vitality and prevent external pathogenic factors from entering.
2. Due to incomplete or inability to fully close the eyelids, slow eyelid movements, and delayed corneal reflex, the cornea is exposed for a long time, which can easily lead to eye infections and corneal damage. During the illness, it is advisable to limit watching TV and using phones, reduce prolonged driving, and minimize eye strain. When going outside, wear sunglasses to avoid strong light exposure. Additionally, applying lubricating and anti-inflammatory eye drops and wearing an eye mask or covering with gauze when sleeping can provide protection.
3. Patients can practice voluntary movements of the paralyzed facial muscles in front of a mirror. Sequentially perform actions such as raising the forehead, frowning, closing the eyes, opening the eyes, twitching the nose, smiling, showing teeth, puffing out the cheeks, and whistling. Repeat 2-3 times a day for several minutes until fatigue. Afterward, massage the affected side of the face for 5-10 minutes to promote local blood circulation.
4. If there is swelling and pain in the area around the ears and cheeks, local hot compress can be performed to dispel wind, activate blood circulation, reduce swelling, and relieve pain. You can use a warm damp towel to apply heat to the face at home, 1-2 times a day for 10-15 minutes each time.
5. Patients should consume less lamb, seafood, and chili peppers, as well as avoid raw, cold, and stimulating foods.
6. Rest on time, maintain a regular lifestyle, keep emotional balance, and ensure sufficient sleep to facilitate faster recovery from facial paralysis.
