Integrative Bell’s Palsy Treatments
Get your Smile Back
Integrative, personalized acupuncture treatments - all natural
“I had already had facial paralysis for two months with few signs of revival on the affected side when I visited [Prisca] for the first time. Prisca was surprisingly more knowledgeable about my condition than my own family doctor as well as the neurologist I visited. I felt instant improvements on my face during each treatment, and the recovery between my weekly or sometimes biweekly visits also picked up pace. I began to regain my smile shortly afterwards. I'd highly recommend her for anyone with Bell's palsy.”
- Judy, Astoria, NY
Yes, you can speed up Bell's palsy recovery with natural treatment! We offer integrative, personalized treatments to optimize results while minimizing discomfort. Most patients can start to feel changes during the first or second treatment.
Case Studies
Acupuncture for bell's
Pathology: Bell's palsy is primarily caused by blockage and “Wind attack” in the meridians that control the eyes, cheeks, and mouth. Certain traumatic events, lifestyle patterns, and illnesses throw the body off balance and makes the body more susceptible to a Wind attack.
Treatment: The ideal time to start treatment is within the first week of the Bell's palsy onset, the earlier the better. Treatments can include acupuncture, moxibustion, facial cupping & Guasha, manual therapy, LED light therapy, and herbal medicine. Treatments are completely natural.
Prognosis: For acute cases, the average recovery time is between 3 weeks to 2 months. The time will vary according to your health history, how soon you start treatment, and how you follow the lifestyle and diet suggestions (see below). More chronic conditions will require more treatments.
Conventional Treatments for Bell's
Pathology: According to the NIH, "Bell's palsy occurs when the nerve that controls the facial muscles is swollen, inflamed, or compressed, resulting in facial weakness or paralysis." The exact cause of the damage, however, is unknown. Most scientists agree that it can be caused by a viral infection.
Treatment: Within the first 2 weeks, your doctor may prescribe steroids to reduce inflammation and swelling. Other drugs, such as antivirals, may also shorten the course of the disease, if your Bell's palsy was caused by a virus. Analgesics may also be prescribed to relieve pain or discomforts. Side effects may occur. Beyond the first few weeks, there are no other treatments available.
Prognosis: According to the NIH, the average recovery time with or without treatment is 3 to 6 months.
FEES
Initial Visit: $200 (includes examination, consultation, treatment, & self-care guide)
Follow-up Visit: $150
Some insurance plans cover acupuncture treatments for Bell’s palsy - contact to inquire.
EACH SESSION May INCLUDE additional modalitie:
Electric stimulation
Infrared heat
Moxibustion
LED light therapy
Facial cupping or Guasha
Because Bell’s palsy is a medical condition, additional modalities are included at no extra charge.
Self-Care with Lifestyle and Diet
Eat a balanced diet, maintain a healthy habit, and keep these healing factors in your regimen:
No direct wind. The breeze may feel good, but it isn't good for you. Avoid sitting close to a fan, air conditioner, or open window.
Avoid spicy foods. Spice generates internal heat and Wind, which worsens the symptoms and can delay recovery time.
Sleep. This is when the body heals. We recommend going to bed by 11 PM, and getting 7 to 8 hours of good, uninterrupted sleep.
Take it easy. Studies show that high stress contributes to weakening the immune system. Stress reduction is part of every acupuncture treatment, but we encourage you to find any other healthy activity you enjoy to help manage stress. Check the Fun Stuff page on our site and follow us on social media to see frequently updated posts about tips, exercises, recipes, and workshops (scroll to the top for icons).
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I come in? We recommend you come in as soon as possible, ideally within 3 days of your onset for optimal results.
When will I see results? Most patients begin to see improvement within the first 2 treatments. Some patients feel changes while still on the table! On average, we see full recovery within 3 weeks to 2 months, which is faster than the 3 to 6 month waiting period suggested by the NIH. Of course, each case will vary by how soon treatments begin and if there are any coinciding health complications. Please see your doctor to rule out other disorders and illnesses.
Are there side effects? Acupuncture has almost no side effects. Many patients report feeling more relaxed and less stressed.
Does it hurt? Your comfort is very important to us. Some parts of the body are more sensitive than others, so you may feel a slight prick at the needle site, but most people do not feel any discomfort during treatments.
How are your treatments different from other acupuncturists? The treatments are integrative. Besides acupuncture, I also use other modalities like moxibustion, facial cupping, facial guasha, self-care recommendations, food therapy, PhotoBioModulation/LED light therapy, electric stimulation, herbal medicine, etc. These depend on each individual’s needs. I do not start with local needles on the face. Strategic points are selected on the arms and legs, and you'll be asked to move your facial muscles to see if there are any changes as you're receiving treatments. This means you will notice changes before you even leave the treatment room!
Does insurance cover acupuncture treatments for Bell's palsy? Most health insurance plans in New York cover acupuncture - please contact us and we can check for you.