Differential Needling for Facial Paralysis

Upcoming Event at the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine

Wednesday, February 19

12:30 – 1:00 PM

Lunchtime Lecture Series Presents:

Treating Facial Paralysis:

Differential Needling by Location & Stage

Presented by Dr. Lili Tian

In the past, acupuncture practitioners treated facial paralysis solely according to TCM differentiations such as wind invasion, heat patterns, etc. But as Chinese medicine has evolved to incorporate scientific knowledge, effective treatment of facial paralysis combines accurate neurological diagnosis with time-tested needling techniques.  For example, disorders of the facial nerve can be categorized by the segment of the nerve which is affected. When a pathogen affects the segment of the facial nerve out of the stylomastoid foramen, the result is simple facial paralysis. When the segment of the facial nerve from the stylomastoid foramen up to geniculate ganglion is affected, the patient is diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. Beyond the geniculate ganglion, affliction of the facial nerve results in the serious condition of Hunt’s Palsy.

 In her lecture, Dr. Tian will elaborate on the importance of determining which nerve segment(s) are affected in relation to choosing needling techniques and point combinations. She will also describe the stages of facial paralysis, which determine the treatment plan. Evolving treatments of principal stages are: expelling pathogenic factors; reducing and reinforcing combinations; and tonifying qi and blood.