Did you know that nearly 40,000 people per year in the United States are affected by a temporary paralysis of the face known as Bell’s Palsy?

This condition usually comes as a complete shock overnight, with the patients waking with paralyzed facial muscles, usually on one side of the face.

The symptoms include swelling and inflammation that affects the symmetry of the face, leaving it difficult to generate everyday expressions like smiling and sometimes even preventing the eye from closing.

Luckily, acupuncture for Bell’s Palsy is proving to be effective in treating and managing the condition and there are several benefits it provides.

While people diagnosed with the condition usually begin to recover within two weeks with full facial functioning returning between three to six months later, the treatment of acupuncture is an efficient way of speeding up recovery. What’s more, there’s little risk of undertaking acupuncture for Bell’s Palsy, and only the benefits to reap.

Ready to learn of such benefits? Read on to learn more.

1. Promotes Effective Functioning of the Nervous System

Acupuncture promotes the successful functioning of the nervous system. For thousands of years, acupuncture has been used to help in Bell’s Palsy recovery. This works as the treatment addresses an underlying deficient in qi, which is an individual’s inherent energy.

Through acupuncture treatment, qi (pronounced ‘chee’) progresses blood circulation to the face.

Fourteen studies investigated acupuncture as a treatment for Bell’s Palsy. The research authors discovered that patients in those studies who received the acupuncture treatment resulted in fewer symptoms than those who didn’t receive the treatment.

Further studies have shown that acupuncture may provide up to 60 - 70% improvement rates for those suffering from Bell’s Palsy. This includes those diagnosed with chronic Bell’s Palsy.

Intensive treatment of acupuncture also saw greater improvements in function in patients with Bell’s Palsy than those treated with standard care. The Harvard researchers behind the study believe that the needles used in acupuncture boost blood flow to the paralyzed facial muscles. Plus, they provide more nutrition to help reduce inflammation.

American singer and television host Carnie Wilson revealed she suffered from Bell’s Palsy back in 2013. Carnie hailed acupuncture as her treatment to improving her symptoms stating that the treatment was working on Twitter. It’s always good to hear the positives straight from the horse’s mouth!

2. Improves Immune System

Acupuncture can also fend off pathogens by boosting the body’s immune system, which in turn can help the body treat the effects of Bell’s Palsy.

3. Prevents Stress

Due to the strain of condition, high-stress levels and depression can be high in patients suffering from Bell’s Palsy.

Relieving stress is one of the top reasons why people with or without certain medical conditions seek acupuncture treatment. For this reason, it’s popular for those diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy.

Acupuncture lowers stress hormones and regulates mood to reduce anxiety and increase feelings of happiness. So, the treatment would be particularly effective for those suffering from Bell’s Palsy. This is because suffers may struggle with juggling their health condition, work, family life, and self-confidence.

Scared of needles? In such cases, patients can opt for acupressure which involves a therapeutic massage. This treatment stimulates the body's circulatory, lymphatic and hormonal systems.

This deeply relaxing experience can help relieve stress, tension, and anxiety, like traditional acupuncture.

4. Provides Relief from Headaches

Linking in with the stress of the condition, those suffering from Bell’s Palsy may be likely to suffer from headaches and migraines.

Acupuncture has been traditionally used to treat headaches for thousands of years. So, it can reduce the lasting effects of stubborn migraines.

5. Enhances Mental Clarity and Increases Energy

Bell’s Palsy acupuncture patients report enhanced mental clarity. This is often with a surge of increased energy that may have dropped once diagnosed with the disorder.

With positive side effects of acupuncture including a sense of euphoria and relaxation, such feelings can help clear the mind.

6. Improves Sleep

Improved sleep is another benefit. Many sufferers of Bell’s Palsy struggle with insomnia or other sleep conditions that may have developed after the stress of the diagnosis.

7. Provides Relief from Digestive Conditions

The link between digestive health and health is indisputable and acupuncture can regulate the digestive system. This is beneficial to patients whether there is a link between their digestive health and their diagnosis of Bell’s Palsy or not.

Acupuncture for Bell's Palsy and Home Treatments

In the combination of acupuncture for Bell’s Palsy, there are several home treatments to include to help assist and speed up recovery.

These include applying lubricating eye drops to an eye that can’t close during the day and ointment at night to keep the eye moist.

It’s also a good idea to wear glasses or even goggles during the day. During the night, opt for a medical eye patch. These methods prevent the eye from getting scratched, poked, or irritated.

Over-the-counter pain relievers like aspirin, ibuprofen or acetaminophen can also help ease any physical pain related to the condition.

Physical therapy exercises are also a great benefit – speak to your physical therapist who can advise on home-based facial massages and exercises that can help relax the facial muscles.

Remember that acupuncture and any other treatments for Bell’s Palsy should always be discussed with and performed by a qualified professional.

Whether you or a loved one is suffering from Bell’s Palsy or not, acupuncture is beneficial in various ways, as mentioned above. If you’re curious, learn more about the acupuncture treatment we offer here.