Bell’s palsy or Facial Paralysis causes sudden weakness in the facial muscles. The main effects of the  paralysis are one sided facial drooping, a one-sided smile and difficulty in closing the eye on the affected side.

 

Bell’s palsy, can occur at any age. The exact cause is unknown but it is believed to be the result of swelling and inflammation of the nerve that controls the muscles on one side of the face.  Bell’s Palsy may be a reaction that occurs after a viral infection.   Extreme stress may be a trigger.  For most people, Bell’s palsy is temporary although it can recur. Symptoms usually start to improve within a few weeks, with complete recovery in about six months.  A small number of people continue to have some Bell’s palsy symptoms for life.

 

Facial cupping in addition to Acupuncture may help to relax the paralyzed muscles which are tense and tight.  The cupping also brings a supply of blood and oxygen to the area, which may improve circulation and healing.  The combination of Facial cupping and Acupuncture may speed up the recovery time.  Patients report feeling an improvement after several treatments and generally the paralysis eases over the course of 10-15 treatments.*  For the best result it is recommended that the cupping therapy and acupuncture start as close to the onset of the paralysis as possible.

 

See the photos of one of my patients before, during and after treatment. The treatment time on this patient was less than 10 sessions.