A high quality research study was conducted in 2015 entitled Acupuncture for the sequelae of Bell’s palsy: a randomized controlled trial. This Bell’s Palsy research concludes acupuncture works effectively for resolving facial paralysis. The following article gives a detailed summary of the study. You can read the entire journal article HERE.
Participants
The study was performed at Kyung Hee University Hospital of Korean Medicine, located in Seoul, Korea. Participants included patients who met the following criteria: diagnosed with Bell’s palsy at least six months prior to screening; aged 18–65 years; and scores of less than 70 on the Facial Disability Index (FDI) physical subscale and less than 80 on the FDI social subscale.
A total of 102 volunteers were screened with the eligibility criteria; 39 participants were randomly allocated to the acupuncture or waiting list groups.
Study procedure
The researchers did not allow the use of oral steroids or antiviral drugs, any history of surgery for facial palsy, such as facial nerve decompression or reconstruction of the facial nerve or muscle, or any acupuncture or massage therapy in the previous three months. They also excluded pregnant or lactating women.
The control group consisted of half the participants who were told they were on a waiting list for the study. In other words, they did not receive any acupuncture.
Interventions
Acupuncture was performed by specialists in Korean medicine who had graduated from a Korean medical school with a 6-year course and were licensed in Korean Medicine from the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare. In addition, the specialists were trained in acupuncture and moxibustion medicine in a 4-year residency program.
The acupuncture group received acupuncture treatments three times a week for 8 weeks for a total of 24 sessions. The treatment included 12 acupuncture points that were selected on the basis of acupuncture specialist forums and a Korean acupuncture textbook. These points were located on the face, arms and legs.
The participants in the waiting list group were told that they would receive the identical acupuncture treatment for 8 weeks after the randomization.
Outcomes
The primary outcome measure was the FDI social score after 8 weeks of acupuncture treatment or the waiting list period. The secondary outcome measures included the FDI social score at week 5, the FDI physical score, the House–Brackmann grade, lip mobility (lip length and nose indices), and stiffness scales at weeks 5 and 8.
Results
At 8 weeks, the FDI social and physical scores, Sunnybrook Facial Nerve Grading scores, and stiffness index were significantly better in the acupuncture group compared with the waiting list group.
The FDI social and physical scores, Sunnybrook Facial Nerve Grading scores, and stiffness index were significantly better in the acupuncture group than in the control waiting list group as early as 5 weeks after the initiation of acupuncture.
Discussion
In this study, acupuncture had a beneficial effect on sequelae of Bell’s palsy by relieving the social and physical impairments experienced by the participants. In addition, acupuncture improved facial nerve function and stiffness following Bell’s palsy.
The researchers identified significant positive improvements in FDI scores. In addition, they identified positive results for the change in the Sunnybrook Facial Nerve Grading score in the following three aspects: facial symmetry, movement asymmetry, and synkinesis.
Acupuncture appears to influence facial nerve function positively even at long periods after the onset of Bell’s palsy. There was an obvious decrease in facial stiffness in the acupuncture group.
The focal effect of acupuncture on paralysis could be attributed, in part, to the local effects of acupuncture in stimulating nerve fibers in the skin and muscle. The psychosomatic effects of acupuncture on the autonomic nerve system by regulating Qi probably contributed to the improvement of other outcomes, such as the FDI social score.
Conclusions
This Bell’s Palsy research concludes acupuncture works safely and effectively to resolve the sequelae of Bell’s palsy (facial paralysis). It conclusively demonstrated the benefit of acupuncture as an effective means of treating Bell’s palsy.
Bell’s Palsy Research Concludes Acupuncture Works
At Raleigh Acupuncture we treat a lot of patients with Bell’s Palsy. And we get good results. Most patients come in fairly quickly after getting the condition. Still others come years later and still get benefit from treatment.
If you have Bell’s Palsy, try acupuncture. There are no negative side effects. Needles are sterile and single use, and they don’t hurt. Treatments are relaxing. And the benefits are powerful.
Next Steps
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Bell’s Palsy research concludes acupuncture works. Come in and see for yourself!
What our Clients are Saying
I woke up in the morning and could not feel the left side of my face. I could not close my left eye. I have been to several doctors and have taken different drugs. I have a little improvement but majority of the problem remained. Out of desperation, I called Raleigh Acupuncture to check out if they treat this condition. They said they have successfully treated this condition and encourage me to come in as soon as possible because the sooner I come in, the better. I came in that same day. To my surprise, after just the first treatment, I could close my left eye. That was huge for me. Because I did not need to tape my left eye shut when I went to sleep for the 1st time since this happen. And during the day, I did not need to keep putting in drops to moisten it. I continued my treatment with them. I got better and better. I started to have sensation coming back. I could drink water without spilling all over myself. I could smile. Anyway, I am 100% cured. If you have this condition, don’t wait, call them and get treated right away. It surely saves a lot of anxiety and struggles.