Acupuncture for Bell's Palsy - FAQ

Experienced Acupuncturist, Judy Bowen-Jones, answers your questions about acupuncture for Bell's Palsy - when and how often you should have acupuncture treatment, and what happens during your treatment for Bell's Palsy. Judy has successfully treated many patients for Bell's Palsy.

Judy is a Registered Member of the British Acupuncture Council.
She holds regular acupuncture clinics in Crowborough, East Sussex and Tunbridge Wells, Kent.

Video transcript:
"If you are watching this video, then it’s likely that you or someone you know is suffering from Bell’s Palsy.
What is Bells Palsy?
Bell’s Palsy is a temporary facial paralysis, typically on one side of the face, caused by inflammation and swelling of the facial nerve where it passes through the skull on the side of your head. With Bells palsy, you have problems moving your facial muscles, and your face droops on the affected side. You may have problems eating and closing your eye.
What causes Bells Palsy?
Recent evidence in Western medicine suggests that Bells Palsy may be caused by Herpes Simplex, the virus which causes cold sores.
In Chinese Medicine, Bells Palsy is caused by the invasion of EXTERNAL, COLD, WIND – catching a severe chill in your face from a cold draught.
Emergency service drivers – ambulance drivers and police patrol drivers seem to be particularly susceptible to Bells Palsy. They will tell you that one of the causes is driving at high speeds with the window open. This fits the Chinese Medical explanation.
How can acupuncture help Bells Palsy?
For many people, the symptoms of Bells Palsy will resolve spontaneously over time. But about a third of people will be left with mild to moderate facial weakness if it left untreated.
Clinical trials suggest that acupuncture is at least as effective as steroids and may improve recovery in patients with Bell’s Palsy. Acupuncture works by improving blood circulation, reducing inflammation and stimulating the nerves and muscles of the face.
When and how often should I come for treatment?
For best results, its important to start your acupuncture treatment as soon as possible. In my experience, the earlier you start treatment, the quicker your recovery and the more complete your recovery.
You will probably need to come for acupuncture twice a week for the first 2-3 weeks, then weekly for a week or two after that, depending on your recovery.
What’s involved in acupuncture treatment for Bell’s Palsy
Acupuncture for Bell’s Palsy does involve use of some facial acupuncture points on the affected side of the face, as well as body points. The needles used are very fine – as thin as a human hair. The treatment also involves warming the acupuncture needles used on the legs using a process called moxibustion. This involves putting hot ‘caps’ of a herb – moxa, on the needs. [Still photo moxa on legs] These warming needles help to build energy and blood, strengthen your immune system and drive out the cold. The moxa treatment feels wonderful.
What else can I do to help me recover from Bell’s Palsy?
If you have been affected by Bell’s Palsy, it is likely you were already run down, perhaps under stress or overworking. To help your recovery, its really important to take care of yourself, take time off work, get lots of rest, keep warm and eat well.
It is generally considered helpful to take a good quality multivitamin, an omega 3 fish oil supplement and turmeric - to help reduce inflammation, and Vitamin B12 and zinc for nerve repair. You may also need to take some eye drops.
There’s a specialist Facial Palsy clinic at the Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead, West Sussex. Ask your GP for an urgent referral. The physiotherapists there will measure and monitor your facial weakness and advise you on facial exercises and self massage to help your recovery.
If you have had Bell’s Palsy, you will likely be vulnerable to getting it again if you get run down, so it’s important to look avoid sitting in a draught or under an air conditioning unit, and make sure the air vents in your car are not pointed at your face and neck. People seem to be especially vulnerable in the Autumn, with the onset of colder weather. Many of my patients come for a top-up acupuncture treatment at this time of year to help build their immunity and protect them from the cold.
Where can I find more information about Acupuncture for Bell’s Palsy?
If you want to read about patients experience of acupuncture for Bells Palsy there are several reviews on my website. If you have any questions about acupuncture for Bell’s Palsy or anything else, please do not hesitate to get in touch."
Warmest wishes,
Judy Bowen-Jones MBAcC Acupuncture

Further Information: Acupuncture and Bell’s Palsy, British Acupuncture Council Fact Sheet November 2014

[evacuevas]

Thank you so much for this video, I'm on week5, in Mexico it's always been a belief that facial paralysis is caused by cold air suddenly hitting your face, trying to do all i can to get better, Thanks again .

[michelascheuerman]

Thank you for this video Judy! I am on meds for BP and I have booked my 1st acupuncture (for BP; I had it done before for anxiety) and I am taking really good care of myself. I am 58 on top of it and I really did not expect this. 🙏🙏.

[mehDOGIESRATS]

Has been driving me insane for years and it's quite painful . I have dry eye disease from it and I have it long term . It's annoying meeting people I haven't before . Not being able to make the right facials . I get some weird looks now and then . It's not dropping, but it's just rather a tight sort of feeling and hurts around my cheek bone . I have had it done for my fingers years ago and it worked . Had it helped with the dry eye disease, because that would be amazing if my eye started producing tears ago . Been in constant pain for 5 years now . Sometimes I just lye in bed and think I just want to die . Sometimes I feel like I don't want to do anything, can be quite hard to motivate myself . Drinking booze is quite a good relief even know I know it's bad for me . Destroyed my relationship with my GF, she doesn't look at me the same anymore . So sad because I like her still even know she's 8 years older than me lol . I'm 45 this year and she's 52 . She can be rather nasty about it . But she is nice now and then, I still live with her . We aren't together anymore, and I think this is has put her off me . I got mine from shingles . According to my Doctor . Shingles is forever, if someone is reading this . So it's more likely to be from shingles than anything else . My Shingles were so painful I was banging my arm against the wall .

[octobergal]

I just went for my 2nd Acupuncture session for Bell's Palsy. May I know if it is normal to feel bruised after an acupuncture treatment? Thank you.

[yawmarfo]

Please I’m 4months in with Bell’s palsy would you still recommend I go in for Accupuncture?

[negaselegese]

Hello thank you for nice video.o had Bell paldy for 4year do you recommend me acupuncture

[yawmarfo]

4 months in is it ok to still go in for acupuncture?

[pammikaur]

Very nice video. mam my mum had bell palsy two months before we take to mum emergency hospital they check everything and gave for 10 days steroids tablets then after they check ear eye nose. They gave ear drops then check after two weeks. Not full recovery yet. She can close her eye and face still in one side. From last week we start private acopatur. She had two treatment not any difference shall we carry on this treatment please reply to me. Thank you mam .