Kansas City Chiropractor uses Acupuncture to Help Patients with Bell's Palsy & Facial Numbness

Have you ever seen someone walking around with one side of their face numb and swollen?

I just took care of a new patient today that been numb on the left side of his face for one week!

Bell's Palsy is one of the most common reasons for a sudden onset of one-sided face paralysis.  I often find that Bell's Palsy is triggered by stress or exposure to a cold draft (ceiling fan, air conditioner, cold weather).  This usually results in a sudden onset of numbness and puffiness on one side of the face.  If the person tries to smile, they can't on the affected side.  Sometimes the eye can't close either. 

How does Acupuncture help Bell's Palsy?

Acupuncture is a system of treating energetic imbalances in the body along pathways called meridians.  This imbalance of energy can be detected with a tool called Acugraph.  I use this diagnostic tool to evaluate each patient before their Acupuncture session to see where there body is out of balance.  In the case of Bell's Palsy, we usually see imbalanced energy in meridians that course through the face and neck.  I use specific Acupuncture points to balance the energy in each patients' body and monitor them for changes at each visit.  After an Acupuncture treatment, the body will continue to move energy into a more balanced state for the next 48 hours.  This is why some patients will continue to improve even after they have left my office. 

Where do you put the Acupuncture needles to help with Bell's Palsy?

First, I always evaluate each patient with Acugraph before I treat them.  This ensures that I am getting a fresh picture of their body's energy at each visit.  I treat them according to where their body's Acupuncture meridians are out of balance, as well as treating points on the face and scalp that are known to be beneficial for Bell's Palsy. 

 How soon would I notice a difference from the Acupuncture treatment?

Some patients notice an improvement before they leave the office during their first visit.  Other patients may not notice improvement for several days or after a few Acupuncture sessions.  How quickly a patient responds depends on several factors:

-length of time they have had the problem

-how much water they drink

-diet

-stress levels

-sleep quality and quantity

I coach my patients from a holistic perspective and always discuss changes they could make in their daily routine to increase the benefits they receive from their Acupuncture sessions.

Does Acupuncture hurt?

I never tell a patient that Acupuncture never hurts.  It really depends on your sensitivity to pain, possible fear of needles, and how sore your body already may be.  I have patients that tell me that some of the needles they could feel be inserted, while others they could not feel at all.  Having received Acupuncture treatments myself for over 20 years, I strive to make each patient's Acupuncture session as comfortable and pain-free as possible. 

How many Acupuncture sessions will it take to help Bell's Palsy?

Typically, Bell's Palsy patients are significantly improved in 4-8 sessions, and in some cases completely resolved.  Each patient is different and will respond at their own speed.

It is always important to be examined before starting any treatment, to ensure that your particular case can be helped by Acupuncture.  Any time someone experiences facial paralysis, they should be evaluated to determine the cause. 

If you have any questions, please call me!

Better Health is Only a Phone Call Away!

 Dr. Kristine Baker

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