Acupuncture Treatment for Facial Pain and Paralysis
By Michelle Gellis LAcMAcDiplAc
This article addresses acupuncture treatment for facial pain and paralysis which are common conditions which can be difficult to treat with western medicine. As a practitioner and instructor of facial acupuncture I frequently get calls from individuals seeking help for various medical conditions affecting the face. Although conditions such as Bells Palsy, Stroke, TMJ, Trigeminal Neuralgia, and Ptosis are vastly different, they all affect the facial muscles, nerves, functionality and appearance of the face. Fortunately, there are many acupuncture techniques, which are extremely effective in bringing movement and normal sensory function to the face.
Facial and scalp acupuncture, facial cupping and motor points are uniquely suited to address facial pain and neuropathy. The same Acupuncture points which can be used to raise a saggy jowl or a furrowed brow can be used to treat a drooping eyelid such as with ptosis or bells palsy. The same scalp points which can help with nerve pain or motor issues can help with facial pain from trigeminal neuralgia or shingles on the face. Facial cupping, (when done with special facial cups and by a practitioner trained in facial cupping) brings blood and energy to the muscles of the face and has the potential to relieve TMJ and invigorate conditions affected by paralysis or weakness such as MS, brain injury, or stroke. https://gellisacupuncture.com/facial-cupping/. Lastly, intramuscular needling techniques (which are invaluable in acupuncture facial rejuvenation for relaxing taught muscles which cause deep wrinkles) can be used to relax an atrophied facial muscle as may happen with myasthenia gravis or stroke.
In Chinese medicine, not all individuals exhibiting particular symptoms of a disease will have the same treatment. Treatment is based on a thorough diagnosis of the patient’s medical history, diet, lifestyle and other factors. Once a diagnosis has been made by a licensed acupuncturist specially trained facial acupuncture, the facial concerns as well as the underlying condition, which may have caused them, are treated. I have been working with patients with these types of conditions for over a decade, and the results I have seen have been very positive. The benefit of acupuncture is that there are no side effects, downtime, or invasive procedures. Typically results can be seen after 6-8 treatments and many insurance companies cover the cost of acupuncture treatment (you would need to contact your provider for eligibility). Acupuncture needles are the diameter of a human hair and the treatment is virtually painless. Most of my patients fall into a deeply relaxed state during treatment and receive benefits reaching beyond their physical symptoms. For more information on treatments for Facial pain, paralysis and neuropathy. Contact Michelle Gellis https://gellisacupuncture.com
Testimonials:
“When I contracted Bell’s palsy, I went to my doctor and was put on a 6 day regimen of cortisone to help to reduce the inflammation of the cranial nerve.
It was not until a week later, after I contacted Michelle Gellis, my acupuncturist, and had a treatment, that I experienced any improvement in my condition. The improvement was dramatic in lessening of the facial paralysis. Within a 3-week period, my facial paralysis was improved to a point, that people could not tell that I had been suffering with the condition. Originally, being told that my condition could last somewhere between 6 weeks, on the mild side, and 6 months, I was thrilled, when the regimen of treatments that Michelle performed, had helped my condition so dramatically”. -Linda B. D.
“I contacted Michelle for my ptosis condition (one eyelid sat lower than the other) because my wedding was approaching, I was desperate and even considering surgery, but after just a few sessions my eyelids were even. I was so grateful my eyelids were even for my special day-and so thankful that I did not have to go the invasive route, along with its expense and recovery time. Michelle is very skilled with her needles and definitely master of her craft.”-Steph J
Since I’ve started the treatments with Michelle for my TMJ and related migraines, I have felt great improvement. I actually have not had one migraine since I started and the overall pain in my jaw has decreased significantly. I have not been able to even chew anything on the right side of my mouth for the past few years and I am now starting to retrain myself to chew on both sides. The Improvement has been amazing, much better than I had hoped for. -Jackie M
