TCM and Acupuncture Is Strongly Recommended For the Quick Recovery of Bell’s Palsy Symptoms

Bell’s palsy is a neurological condition that affects an estimated 40,000 people in the United States each year. This disorder manifests as a paralysis of the face and usually impacts just one side of the face. It is believed to be caused by facial nerve damage that controls the muscles on one side of the face. The muscles begin to droop which affects the sufferer’s ability to cry as well his ability to control his saliva and taste. Pregnant women, people with diabetes, old people, and young adults are the most at risk for this condition although it can potentially strike anyone.

Bell’s palsy usually develops overnight and without warning. Most sufferers wake up to find that their facial muscles have been paralyzed. A lot of them either manifest no symptoms beforehand, or they overlook the warning subtle signs, including pain in the back of the head, pain behind the ear, and pain in the neck. Bell’s palsy sufferers can experience several difficult facial dysfunctions including slurred speech, and difficulty smiling, eating and shutting their eyes. Oftentimes, people mistake these signs as the effects of a stroke, which thankfully, Bell’s palsy is not. While the symptoms can dramatically appear, they are only temporary and gradually disappear or get better within three weeks.

There are a number of natural remedies that can hasten the recuperation process whilst the patient is waiting for the disorder to abate. Herbal remedies are used by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners to alleviate stress (believed to worsen Bell’s palsy), boost the functionof the nervous system, and provide a therapeutic effect on the body. Herbal preparations such as Aconite, Dulcamara, and Causticum, as well as herbs such as Avena Sativa, St. john’sWort, and Valerian can be used to address conditions associated with the nervous system. Intake of zinc, and vitamins B6 and B12 can stimulate nerve growth and may accelerate the healing of the damaged facial nerve.

Bell’s palsy symptoms can be substantially assuaged with massage therapy. Practicingdaily facial exercises and/or a mild massaging of the affected parts of the face can improve the condition. One can also go for a full body massage that includes body parts not affected by the condition. This type of massage targets stress which can worse the condition, and is believed to be a factor that precipitates the onset of an episode; therefore, receiving a full body relaxingmassage may relax a patient which can result in quick and full recovery.

A syndrome of disharmony known as “External Wind Invasion of the Meridians of the face” is usually the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis for Bell’s palsy. TCM practitioners believe that one of the primary implications of this condition is an underlying deficiency of vital energy (qi). For thousands of years, practitioners in China have used acupuncture to aid in the recovery of Bell’s palsy. Initially, the goal of TCM treatment is to boost flow of blood to the face, invigorate qi, clear Damp and, expel Wind. Acupuncture treatments in Overland Park once or twice a week can improve nerve function, quicken the dissipation of the paralysis, and help relax a patient.

Bell’s palsy patients may require some weeks of recovery time. They can take some time off from their normally daily routines and just rest at home. Holistic healing and TCM can offer several options, from vitamin supplements, acupuncture, massage to herbal remedies to help quicken recovery from Bell’s palsy.