Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine for Facial nerve palsy | See a Western Doctor First, Then Follow Up with Chinese Medicine? | Can Facial Paralysis Be Treated Concurrently by Both? |acupuncture

Patient Inquiry:

"It is currently the 2nd day of my facial paralysis. Should I see a Western medicine doctor first, and if it doesn't heal, then seek acupuncture treatment from a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioner?"

TCM Practitioner's Answer:

Most cases of facial nerve palsy are caused by viral infections that lead to nerve inflammation and edema (swelling). Whether in Western or Chinese medicine, the primary objective of treatment is to control the inflammation first.

Take a patient from our clinic as an example:

• Onset Night: The patient immediately sought Western medical treatment and started taking prescribed steroids.

• Day 5 of Onset (After Steroid Use): The patient came to our clinic for TCM treatment (as shown in Figures 1-3 on the left).

• After the 7th Treatment: The patient's muscle strength showed significant improvement (as shown in Figures 4-6).

Acupuncture for Facial nerve palsy

[Treatment Outcome] Within 3 weeks, most of the muscle strength on the affected side of the patient's face had recovered. Although full functionality has not completely returned to normal, it is recommended to continue with a few more sessions to consolidate the therapeutic effects.

Conclusion

Both Chinese and Western medicine share a similar understanding of this disease (referred to as "Disease Differentiation"), as both are based on modern medical knowledge regarding nerve damage and recovery. The core goal of treatment for both is: first control the inflammation, then assist in nerve functional recovery.

Whether using Western medicine's steroids or Chinese medicine's acupuncture, both can effectively control the progression of inflammation. The difference lies in their therapeutic approaches, particularly the "Syndrome Differentiation and Treatment" emphasized in Chinese medicine:

• TCM practitioners gather additional information regarding the patient's time of onset, geographic location, personal constitution, and overall physical state.

• Through acupuncture or herbal medicine, a personalized treatment plan is tailored specifically for the patient.

Therefore, while recognizing the disease itself (Disease Differentiation) is crucial, "Syndrome Differentiation" is the true soul of TCM treatment.