☯ Difference between stroke and facial nerve paralysis
Many patients confuse facial nerve paralysis with stroke. But facial nerve paralysis and stroke are different kinds of diseases, therefore patients have to talk to doctor and set mind at rest.
- Stroke
Cerebrovascular accident accompanied by weakness of one side of arm and leg, slurred speech and in worst case clouded consciousness. Facial paralysis that's along with stroke is a unfavorable prognosis so patients need to get a thorough medical checkup.
- Idiopathic facial nerve paralysis (Bell's Palsy)
Bell's palsy affects only one side of the face's paralysis without any other symptoms of paralysis of other parts of the body, slurred speech etc. Even though paralysis is progressing at a rapid pace in early stage of Bell's palsy, it's quite a favorable prognosis.
- Herpes Zoster Oticus (Ramsay Hunt Syndrome)
Herpes zoster oticus is a facial nerve paralysis caused by herpes zoster. It's different from the facial nerve paralysis led by stroke. Herpes zoster oticus takes long recovery period and has possibility of after effect compared with Bell's palsy. Patient with herpes zoster oticus should get aggressive treatment.
☯ Treatment
Patient must quickly receive treatment such as acupuncture, herbal medicine, Korean medicinal physical therapy, external treatment in the first stage (within two or three days). If patient can't get proper treatment in time, paralyzed facial muscles cannot recover and sufferer may suffer from long term after effect (e.g. a facial tic, facial numbness or hypesthesia.) Normally, facial nerve paralysis tends to progress for about a week from its occurrence. Usually patients recover from a facial paralysis over a period of a month or two months.
☯ Exercise therapy
Look on the face through mirror and make the right movement.
1. Lift forehead
2. Close the eyes tightly
3. Frown and make forehead and eyebrow wrinkles
4. Flare nostrils
5. Smile
6. Whistle
7. Blow out the candle
8. Blow up a balloon
☯ Precaution
1. Avoid stress, overwork, chilly air, ice-cold water
2. When going outside, keep paralyzed face warm by wearing a mask, cap, scarf
3. Wear an eye patch when patient can't close the eye
4. When washing face, be careful of soapy water
5. Eat nutritious food
6. Get enough rest and sleep
☯ Facial massage
< Acupressure therapy >
It's good to warm the face using steamed towel and massage several spots on the face from forehead and over the eyes to below the mouth for facial paralysis. It's quite important to relax the tension in the shoulder and back of the neck by performing acupressure treatment.
Perform acupressure on
- for forehead ; YangBeak
- for eye ; JeongMyeong, DongJaRyo, ChanJuck, EoYo, SaJuckGong, SeungEup
- for chic ; GwanRyo, HaGwan
- for mouth ; SaBeak, JiChang, YoungHyang, HwaRyo, InJung, SeungJang.
Massage is also highly effective.