Acupuncture Treatment of Diseases Neurology 4: Facial Paralysis 面瘫

Definition: 1.Also called “deviation of the mouth and eyes”. 2.Mainly manifested as deviation of the mouth and incomplete closure of the eyes. 3.Any ages and any season. 4.Occurs suddenly, usually on one side of the face. 5.Facial paralysis is peripheral facial palsy in western medicine.

Causes and Pathogenesis : 1.When defensive qi is insufficient due to over- exertion or 2.When healthy qi is weak. The external wind may invade the channels and collaterals of the face and affect the nutrition of the tendons and vessels, resulting in Facial Paralysis.

Clinical Manifestations: Chief symptoms: i.Unilateral facial weakness, numbness and paralysis. ii.Disappearance of wrinkles. iii.Enlarge rima-oculi. iv.Exposure of the sclera. v.Lacrimation. vi.Flattened nasolabial groove. vii.Drooping mouth angle with deviation to the healthy side. viii.Unable to frown, to rise eyebrow. To close the eyes, to show the teeth. ix.Pain behind the ear in the beginning stage. x.Taste deficiency.

Clinical Manifestations: 1.Wind-cold type (acute onset) Stated manifestations with: i.History of cold affecting the face. ii.Light coloured tongue. iii.Thin white tongue coating. iv.Floating, tight pulse.

Clinical Manifestations: 2.Wind-heat type (acute onset) Stated manifestations with: i.Fever. ii.Dry throat. iii.Red tongue. iv.Thin yellow tongue coating. v.Floating, rapid pulse.

Clinical Manifestations: 3.Qi-Blood deficiency type (convalescent stage or in patients with a prolonged course of the disease) i.Vertigo. ii.Lassitude. iii.Pale complexion. iv.Pale tongue with thin white coating. v.Thready, weak pulse.

Treatment : General principle Dredge and regulate qi and blood of the local tendons and collaterals. Promote blood circulation Dispel wind (in acute stage). Supplement qi and blood, nourish muscles and tendons (in convalescent stage). Principle channels: 1.GB channel. 2.ST channel. 3.LI channel. 4.LR channel. 5.EX-O.

Principle acupoints : 1.GB 14 Yangbai 阳白. 2.ST 2 Sibai 四白. 3.ST 4 Dicang 地仓. 4.ST 6 Jiache 颊车. 5.LI 4 Hegu 合谷. 6.LR 3 Taichong 太冲. 7.EX-HN5 Taiyang 太阳.

Prescription explanation (Principle acupoint): 1.GB 14 Yangbai 阳白, ST 2 Sibai 四白, ST 4 Dicang 地仓, ST 6 Jiache 颊车 EX-HN 5 Taiyang 太阳 : Channel acupoint of the GB ， ST channel and extra-ordinary point, chosen to dredge and regulate qi and blood of the local tendons and collaterals and promote blood circulation. 2. LI 4 Hegu 合谷， LR 3 Taichong 太冲： Yuan-Source acupoint of the LI and LR channel where qi of the organ originates, passes and stays, chosen to remove external pathogenic factors.

Principle of treatment 1.Wind cold type: Acute stage Smooth and dredge channel and collateral qi, dispel wind and cold. Principle acupoints: as stated Supplementary acupoints: 1.GB 20 Fengchi 风池.

Principle of treatment 2.Wind heat type: Acute stage Smooth and dredge channel and collateral qi, dispel wind and heat. Principle acupoints: as stated Supplementary acupoints: 1.LI 11 Quchi 曲池.

Principle of treatment 3.Qi and Blood deficiency type: Convalescent stage Supplement qi and blood, nourish muscles and tendons (in convalescent stage). Principle acupoints: as stated Supplementary acupoints: 1.ST 36 Zusanli 足三里.

Supplementary acupoints: for difficulty in raising eyebrow. 1.BL 2 Cuanzhu 攒竹. 2.EX-HN 4 Yuyao 鱼腰. Supplementary acupoints: for pain in the mastoid region. 1.TE 17 Yifeng 翳风. Supplementary acupoints: for deviation of mentolabial groove. 1.GV 26 Shuigou 水沟. 2.CV24 Chengjiang 承浆. Supplementary acupoints: for flattened nasolabial groove. 1.LI 20 Yingxiang 迎香.

TCM medical advises: 1.Wear mask and protect eye 2.Avoid exposure to cold and wind. 3.Regular light diet habit avoiding raw, cold and greasy, pungent and spicy food. 4.Eye drop administration.