Bell's Palsy: Understanding Facial Paralysis and How Traditional Chinese Medicine Can Help
- LMAC
- Jun 23
- 5 min read
Updated: Jul 2
"I heard your clinic can treat Bell's palsy. I don't have an appointment, but can you see me right now?" I looked up and saw a man in his 30s with the right side of his face drooping. It is common for us to receive patients with facial paralysis, such as patients affected by Bell's palsy, because our clinic helps expedite the recovery without any medication and its side effects. You can review our Bell's palsy clinical results in the Success Stories section.
Facial paralysis can affect anyone, and it can happen so fast. One morning, you look in the mirror and notice one side of your face isn't moving normally. Smiling feels uneven; one eye won't fully close, and drinking water makes it leak from the corner of your mouth. These sudden symptoms can be frightening. It can happen to teens as well as older adults, and it affects about 24.5 out of 100,000 persons in the USA, according to a 2025 study by Wei et al. However, the good news is that Bell's palsy can be improved significantly with timely treatment.
While conventional medicine focuses on reducing inflammation and prescribing antiviral medication, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a complementary approach that aims to restore muscle and neurological function to support recovery. While the results vary from person to person, you can schedule a complimentary 15-minute phone consultation with us today to determine if you are the right candidate.
Experience the difference. Our innovative, patient-centered approach to care has earned us the Best of Edina award three years in a row (2024, 2025, and 2026).
What Is Bell's Palsy?
According to a Western medical textbook, Bell's palsy is a sudden weakness or paralysis of the muscles on one side of the face due to inflammation of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII). The exact root cause is not always known, but many cases are believed to be triggered by viral infection or reactivation of dormant viruses.
Symptoms usually develop hours post-infection and may include:
Droopy face on one side
Difficulty smiling or moving one side of the lip
Inability to fully close one eye
Inability to raise an eyebrow on the affected side
Drooling
Difficulty eating or drinking
Changes in taste
Increased sensitivity to sound
Dry eye or excessive tearing
Although Bell's palsy can resemble a stroke, it is a different condition. While both Western medicine and TCM agree that early treatment (within a week is ideal) provides the best chance of full recovery, the approaches are vastly different.
There are four phases of Bell's palsy:
Phase 1: Acute Inflammatory Phase (day 1–7).
During the first week, inflammation compresses the facial nerve.
Phase 2: Early Recovery Phase (week 2–6).
Inflammation begins to decrease, and the nerve starts healing.
Phase 3: Regeneration Phase (1–6 months).
The facial nerve continues regenerating.
Phase 4: Chronic or Residual Phase (beyond 6 Months).
Most patients recover well, but some continue to experience facial tightness and unwanted muscle movements.
From both Western medicine and TCM perspectives, early evaluation and timely treatment improve the chances of a full recovery.
Western Medical Treatment
Here are a few common treatments through Western medicine:
1. Corticosteroids
Prednisone is the first-line treatment and should ideally begin within 72 hours of symptom onset.
Benefits:
Reduces nerve swelling
Prevent the likelihood of worsening of the symptoms
Shortens recovery time
2. Antiviral Medication
Some physicians prescribe antiviral medications such as:
Acyclovir
Valacyclovir
These may be used together with steroids, particularly in severe cases or when a viral cause is suspected. Evidence suggests antivirals alone provide little benefit, but they may offer a modest additional benefit when combined with corticosteroids.
3. Eye Protection
Since many patients cannot fully close the affected eye, protecting the cornea is essential.
Treatment may include:
Artificial tears
Lubricating ointment
Moisture chamber
Eye patch during sleep
Protective glasses outdoors
4. Physical Therapy
Facial rehabilitation may include:
Facial muscle exercises
Massage
Neuromuscular retraining
These techniques help improve muscle coordination and reduce long-term complications.
5. Surgical Treatment
While a surgery is rarely recommended today, it is reserved for highly selected cases. It often involves facial plastic surgery utilizing facial reanimation procedures, nerve transfers, and muscle transplants.
Bell's Palsy Through the Lens of TCM
From a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) perspective, Bell's palsy is not viewed solely as inflammation of the facial nerve. Instead, it is believed to result from a combination of internal weakness and the invasion of external pathogenic factors, such as flu or cold.
When the body's defensive energy is weakened, it becomes more susceptible to external influences that can further impair facial nerve function.
Modern lifestyle and poor habits also contribute to this internal weakness. Chronic stress, poor sleep, overwork, an unhealthy diet, and staying up late night after night may gradually reduce the body's resilience to pathogens. Think of it like leaving the front door of your house unlocked—when your defenses are down, unwanted intruders have an easier opportunity to enter. In TCM, external pathogens are thought to exploit these moments of vulnerability.
Acupuncture has been used throughout Asia for centuries to treat Bell's palsy and is commonly integrated with conventional medical care nowadays. During the acute phase, many patients receive antiviral medications, corticosteroids, or other treatments prescribed by their physician to reduce inflammation and help prevent further nerve damage. Acupuncture is used alongside these treatments to enhance the body's natural healing process, promote circulation to the affected area, encourage nerve recovery, and help restore facial muscle function.
Our Holistic Approach to Recovery
At Le Meridian Acupuncture, we care for patients with Bell's palsy at every stage of recovery—from the acute phase to chronic cases with lingering symptoms. Rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach, we develop a personalized treatment plan based on each patient's condition. Treatment may include acupuncture, individualized lifestyle recommendations, herbal therapy when appropriate, and other Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) techniques to complement your medical care.
Many of our patients notice positive changes after their first treatment, with continued improvement over the following weeks as their recovery progresses. You can review our Bell's palsy clinical results in the Success Stories section.
Our treatment philosophy focuses on identifying and addressing the underlying imbalances in internal function and energy patterns—not just the facial symptoms. By supporting the body's natural healing mechanisms, reducing muscular tension/stiffness, and improving poor circulation to the affected areas, we help create the conditions for facial muscles and nerves to recover and regain normal function as efficiently as possible.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for educational purposes and should not replace professional medical evaluation. Always seek prompt medical assessment for sudden facial weakness to rule out a stroke or other serious conditions.
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