Patient Profile:
The patient, a 38-year-old female, presented with a sudden onset of right-sided facial weakness, drooping of the right side of her mouth, and difficulty closing her right eye. She had been diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy by her primary care physician and had been prescribed a course of steroids. She was also experiencing significant stress due to her work and personal life.
Acupuncture Treatment:
The patient sought out acupuncture as a complementary therapy to help manage her Bell’s Palsy symptoms. The acupuncturist performed a comprehensive assessment and developed a treatment plan tailored to the patient’s needs.
The treatment plan consisted of a series of weekly acupuncture sessions, with each session lasting approximately 60 minutes. The acupuncture points used were selected based on Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) principles, with a focus on addressing the patient’s specific symptoms and underlying imbalances.
The main acupuncture points used were ST4, ST6, LI4, LI20, GV20, and EX-HN3. ST4 and ST6 were used to stimulate the muscles of the face, while LI4 and LI20 were used to promote circulation and reduce inflammation. GV20 was used to calm the patient’s mind and promote relaxation, and EX-HN3 was used to promote the flow of Qi and blood to the face.
Outcome:
After six weeks of acupuncture treatment, the patient reported a significant improvement in her Bell’s Palsy symptoms. She was able to close her right eye more easily and had regained some of the strength in the right side of her face. The patient also reported feeling less stressed and more relaxed overall.
The acupuncturist continued the treatment for another two weeks, with the patient receiving acupuncture twice a week. By the end of the eight-week treatment, the patient’s Bell’s Palsy symptoms had almost completely resolved, with only a mild residual weakness in her right facial muscles.
Conclusion:
This case study suggests that acupuncture may be an effective complementary therapy for managing the symptoms of Bell’s Palsy. Further research is needed to confirm these findings, but this case highlights the potential benefits of using acupuncture as part of an integrative approach to managing Bell’s Palsy symptoms.