How does the combined needle and oxygen method treat facial palsy?

  According to incomplete statistics, 400,000 people suffer from facial palsy in China every year. The highest incidence is in the age groups of 40 and 70 years old. Facial palsy is divided into two types: central facial palsy and peripheral facial palsy. The commonly referred to facial palsy is peripheral facial palsy, which is caused by facial neuritis. Hyperbaric oxygen combined with acupuncture for peripheral facial palsy is easily accepted by patients because it is less invasive and has fewer side effects.  Ms. Zheng developed facial palsy four months ago and has not recovered well from various treatments such as medication and physical therapy. The left side of her face was still swollen, her left eye could not close completely, and her mouth was obviously crooked to the right; when she smiled, the corner of her mouth pulled the whole face to the right; and she missed everything she ate. She came to the hospital and the doctor recommended hyperbaric oxygen combined with acupuncture treatment. The doctor stuck two needles in her hand, and soon she felt a “warm feeling” along the arm up the face, the affected side immediately felt more comfortable, about half a minute after the needles, then into the hyperbaric chamber to receive hyperbaric oxygen therapy. After several treatments, Ms. Zheng’s facial swelling subsided significantly, her left eye could be closed, and her slightly skewed mouth no longer leaked anything. She finally had a full smile.  Acupuncture treatment has the function of invigorating blood, dispelling wind, and harmonizing qi and blood. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy is the treatment of diseases by inhaling pure oxygen in an environment with more than 1 atmosphere of pressure. The usual treatment pressure used is 2-2.2 atmospheres. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can promote the recovery of facial nerve function by reducing tissue edema and facial nerve swelling and improving nerve hypoxia, among other mechanisms. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy can also enhance the acupuncture needle feeling, and the close combination of the two can often obtain a “1+1>2” therapeutic effect.