Bell's Palsy
If you've never heard of Bell's Palsy, you're not alone. But it's a condition you should be aware of. It refers to paralysis of the facial muscles on one side of the face and can be mistaken for the symptoms associated with a stroke.
What Happens?
Western medicine attributes the condition to the herpes zoster virus (the same virus that causes chicken pox). The virus lies dormant in the cervical spine and attacks the facial nerve during times of high stress. The facial nerve becomes inflamed and all communication to the facial nerve is shut off causing facial paralysis.
Bell's Palsy occurs when a combination of factors are present:
- High-stress, often prolonged
- Weakened immune system
- Fatigue due to overwork
- Exposure to COLD, especially at the back of the neck
- Sudden changes in temperature (Going from Palo Alto to Lake Tahoe)
What You Can Do:
If this happens to you, get to your acupuncturist immediately. We have a very high (>90%) success rate treating this condition with people who come in within the first three months. Without intervention, this paralysis can be permanent. Western therapies of antiviral medications and oral steroids rarely help the problem and patients are often advised to "wait it out" until the face returns to normal.
To prevent Bell's Palsy, take care of yourself, manage your stress, and pay attention to your body if catch a cold. Make sure to get plenty of rest, too.
