Clinical manifestations and treatment of facial palsy

  Facial palsy is a unilateral peripheral facial nerve palsy of unknown origin and acute onset. The etiology and pathology are not fully understood. It can occur at any age, but is slightly more common in males, and usually has an acute onset, peaking within a few hours or 1-3 days. Initially, there may be pain behind the ear or behind the angle of the jaw on the paralyzed side. The main symptoms are paralysis of facial expression muscles on one side, loss of frontal lines, inability to frown, inability to close or incomplete closure of the eye fissure, shallowing of the nasolabial fissure on the sick side, drooping of the corners of the mouth, skewing of the corners of the mouth to the healthy side when showing the teeth, leakage of air when puffing or whistling, easy retention of food between the teeth and cheeks on the sick side, and loss of taste sensation in the front 2/3 of the tongue on the same side.  In the acute stage of facial palsy, we use ultrashort wave with superficial acupuncture to reduce inflammation and edema in the facial nerve area; in the recovery stage, we use electroacupuncture with rehabilitation therapy to enhance blood circulation in the facial nerve area, improve the nutritional status of nerve and muscle tissue, and promote the recovery of facial nerve. After 2~4 weeks of comprehensive treatment, facial palsy can be cured after obvious improvement. Compared with other traditional treatments, this combination of acupuncture and physiotherapy is more scientific, more effective and better recovery.  At the same time, it is necessary to remind patients that facial palsy is a manifestation of facial nerve inflammation, and it takes some time to recover. It is hoped that the patient will go to a regular hospital for standardized and patient treatment in time when it first develops, instead of seeking medical help frequently and missing the best time for treatment.