On Facial Paralysis

Acupuncture has long been used as a complementary approach for people experiencing facial paralysis, including Bell’s palsy.

From my practice and experience in China, I have seen many people with facial paralysis seek acupuncture, particularly during the early stages of their condition. Recently, we had the opportunity to help a client who developed facial paralysis on the left side of his face.

He had already been prescribed prednisone and was frustrated that he could not fully close his left eye. The left side of his mouth was also affected, causing his mouth to deviate and making it difficult for him to drink without leaking.

He began receiving acupuncture on the third day after the onset of his symptoms.

After each treatment, he noticed small changes and gradual improvement. By his seventh session, he felt that his face was about 90% back to normal. After his eighth session, he told us that his face felt “perfect.”

We were very happy to see his progress.

When I was studying in Tianjin, China, facial paralysis was something I encountered frequently in my community and clinical experience. Tianjin is known for its cold, windy weather, and traditional Chinese medicine has historically associated exposure to wind and cold, as well as overall health and stress, with certain patterns of facial symptoms. These traditional explanations are part of the TCM framework and are different from the modern medical understanding of Bell’s palsy.

Today, Bell’s palsy is understood as an acute dysfunction of the facial nerve. Most people with typical Bell’s palsy recover well, and early medical treatment is important. Corticosteroids such as prednisone are considered a standard first-line treatment, particularly when started early. People who cannot fully close an affected eye also need appropriate eye protection to prevent complications.

Acupuncture may be used as a complementary therapy, but current evidence is not strong enough to establish how effective it is for Bell’s palsy. At Benefit Acupuncture, we believe acupuncture should complement, rather than replace, appropriate medical evaluation and treatment.

Every person and every case is different, but we are grateful that this client experienced such meaningful improvement and was able to see his face return to what felt normal to him.

Individual results vary, and this story reflects one client’s experience.