5 Signs You Have Bell’s Palsy

Bell’s Palsy, some of us have heard of it but we’re not quite sure if we have it until it’s too late. As for myself it was something that I read about in my medical books but I will never forget the first patient I treated as an intern. My professor was right when he said once you see it you will immediate recognize it again, it’s something that stays with you forever. The first patient I treated with Bell’s Palsy was a young woman in her mid-thirties. She stated she was in the middle of a divorce and had gotten into an argument with her husband. She was very upset and stated her blood pressure was high. She went to sleep and woke up in complete shock after she looked at herself in the mirror. The left half of her face was lopsided, her mouth was droopy, her speech was slurred and she could not close her eye completely. Of course she went into shock and quickly went to the emergency room. The treating physician diagnosed her with Bell’s Palsy. He prescribed a week of anti-viral and steroids and sent her on her way.

So what exactly is Bell’s Palsy and how do we get it?

Here are some of the signs and symptoms to be aware of..

• You’re unable to close your eyelid or blink
• Your eye waters more or less than usual
• Drooling
• Difficulty chewing
• Decreased sense of taste
• Your facial muscles twitch
• Pain or numbness behind your ear

Bell’s Palsy is caused from multiple reasons, here are the most common:

• Herpes Virus
• Weak Immune system
• High Stress Levels
• Going from one extreme temperature to another rapidly
• Unknown factors
• Here are some tips on how to prevent Bell’s Palsy
• Keep your immune system high
• Reduce stress levels with exercise and meditation
• Maintain a proper diet and nutrition
• What do you do if you think you have Bell’s Palsy..
• Immediately see your Primary Care physician or go to the ER
• Ensure you take your medication as prescribed
• Seek after care therapy
• Although every patient is different, most symptoms can last from 6-8 weeks and sometimes even longer

I highly recommend anyone with Bell’s Palsy start acupuncture treatment as soon as possible. Acupuncture is a natural medical treatment that is very effective way to relieve the lingering side effects of Bell’s Palsy such as the lopsided and unsymmetrical face. The acupuncture needles stimulate the blood flow in the facial muscles that help them return to normal. With acupuncture treatments you can reduce the recovery time by approximately 50%. Every patient will experience different symptoms and the recovery time is different for everyone. During the recovery time it is very difficult for the patient to be in social environments because of the the current droopiness in their face. Many people are even insecure and apprehensive about going back to work due to the stares of their co-workers and the constant explanation. Of course anyone with Bell’s Palsy do not only suffer physically but in my practice I have noticed a significant emotional toll it takes on them during the weeks of recovery. Usually their are not many warning signs and it happens very rapidly.As you go through the treatments at Holistic Healing you will be supported not only physically but emotionally.

Unfortunately, many western doctors are not aware of the amazing benefits of acupuncture so they do not refer their patients for treatments. They simply tell them to wait it out and it will eventually get better. But the truth is some people never truly recover and are left with lingering symptoms with no options or hope. Acupuncture is now becoming more mainstream in the conventional medical system and the patients that do get after care treatment with acupuncture have a faster, easier and usually complete recovery in half the time. The best part about acupuncture is that it is safe, natural and effective.

My goal is to educate the community about the benefits of acupuncture and that this is not something you have to suffer with alone. Their is support and hope at Holistic Healing and with any other qualified acupuncturist. So if you ever find yourself or a family member with Bell’s Palsy make sure you seek acupuncture treatments and get you back to being the best you!

Love and Light,
Amanda Sanchez
Holistic Healing