A 60 -year -old woman came to our acupuncture clinic with an unusual case. A few months after taking Botox injections around her eyes for cosmetic purposes, she developed Bell’s paralysis on the right side of her face. Its symptoms included the fall of the face, the difficulty in closing its right eye and the impaired speech.
He asked for acupuncture to regain facial balance and improve nerve function. However, previous Botox treatment presented a unique challenge: Botox muscle effects come into conflict with the aim of acupuncture to stimulate nerve and muscle recovery.
This case highlights the complexity of Bell’s Paralysis management in patients with recent Botox treatments and explores how acupuncture can play a decisive role in their recovery.
The role of Botox and its challenges in recovery of Bell’s paralysis
Botox (botulinum toxin) operates temporarily by paralyzing specific muscles, reducing wrinkles or treatment of muscle hyperactivity. In our patent, Botox injections around her eyes had relaxed the Orbicularis oculi muscles, which play a decisive role in the closure of the eyelids and the symmetry of the face.
When Bell’s paralysis occurred, the natural weakness of the facial muscles combined with the effects of Botox, making it difficult to evaluate the actual extent of nerve malfunction. In addition, the prolonged effects of Botox (lasts 3-4 months) a complicated objective of acupuncture: stimulating muscle activity and nerve regeneration. The basic conflict emerged because:
- Botox suppresses nervous activity in the processed area, while acupuncture aims to restore it.
- Over -stimulation of muscles already weakened by both Botox paralysis and Bell paralysis are at risk of causing unnecessary intensity or imbalance.
- The acupuncture therapy required to avoid the disorder of the Botox -treated areas while still experiencing facial asymmetry and nerve recovery.
Acupuncture
Despite the challenges, the patient’s therapeutic plan focused on balancing the overall facial energy, stimulation of nerve repair and the improvement of blood flow to the affected areas without directly offsetting the effects of Botox. Her treatment included the following strategies:
1. Acupuncture points
Local points: These points were selected near, but not directly to areas filled with Botox:
- St 4 (Decan) and ST 6 (Jiache): Stimulate facial muscles and improve circulation on the cheek and jaw.
- Li 20 (Yingxiang): Supports nerve regeneration near the nasal area.
- GB 14 (Yangbai): Improves the muscle tone of the medium and helps to close the eyes.
- Si18 (Quanliao): Aim local swelling and inflammation in the yeast.
Peripheral points: These points supported systematic healing and nerve function:
- Li 4 (Red): Known to reduce the pain and inflammation of the face, in hand.
- ST 36 (Zousanli): Promotes overall circulation and enhances immune response.
- LV 3 (Tahongon): Understand the nervous system and promotes energy flow.
2. Acupuncture of the scalp
Acupuncture of the scalp, especially along the engines and sensory areas of brain face representation, was used to stimulate nerve restoration and improve muscle activation.
3. Electricity
Low frequency electrocytes was applied to specific points such as ST 4 and ST 6 to enhance muscle activation, while avoiding over -stimulation of Botox -treated areas.
Prognosis of Bell’s Paralysis treatment with acupuncture
The patient underwent acupuncture treatments twice a week for eight weeks. While Botox effects initially covered its true muscle strength, acupuncture helped in the following ways:
Short-term improvements (weeks 1-4): Reduce rigidity and facial inflammation. Improved traffic on the affected side. Gradual ability to close its right eye more effectively.
Long-term improvements (weeks 5-8): Improvement of muscle tone and facial symmetry, as the effects of Botox. Enhanced nerve response, with remarkable improvements in the clarity of smile and speech.
By the end of the treatment march, the patient had a significant recovery, recovering over 80% of the function of the face. Continuing acupuncture is recommended monthly to treat residual weakness and prevent complications such as synthetic (involuntary muscle contractions).
Recommendations
This case underlines the importance of understanding the interaction between botox and acupuncture when managing the paralysis of Bell. While Botox can initially complicate nerve and muscle evaluation, strategic acupuncture can promote recovery without undermining the benefits of previous Botox treatment.
- Avoid immediate targeting of Botox-treated areas during the active phase (first 3-4 months).
- Focus on systematic points and unwanted areas to support the overall nerve treatment.
- Use gentle stimulation techniques, such as scalp acupuncture or electrocyria to avoid over -stimulating the attenuated muscles.
This patient’s journey depicts the power of acupuncture as a holistic treatment for the paralysis of Bell, even in the presence of university agents such as Botox injections. With careful design and approach to the patient, acupuncture can complement modern cosmetic therapies while facing the main causes of nervous dysfunction. For patients such as ours, it offers hope and a recovery course when facing the challenges of facial paralysis.
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