How long does facial neuritis require acupuncture treatment?

Written by Feng Ying Shuai
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Updated on February 17, 2025
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Facial nerve neuritis, acupuncture is a very important rehabilitation method for it. The duration of acupuncture should be analyzed based on different individuals.

Acupuncture mainly helps with the recovery from facial nerve neuritis. The duration of acupuncture is primarily to restore the movement and sensation of the facial expression muscles on the affected side to be almost the same as the healthy side. At that point, acupuncture can be stopped. Based on clinical situations, most people might need about 2-3 courses of acupuncture to see improvement. However, there are a very small number of people who might need a longer duration of acupuncture, such as 4-5 courses, and some even longer.

The duration of acupuncture depends on the location of the nerve damage. If the damage is close to the inside of the skull, the duration might be longer, whereas if it's closer to the outside, it might be shorter. Additionally, the constitution of the patient also plays a role; patients with a stronger constitution might require less time, while those who are weaker, older, or have complications such as diabetes might need a longer duration of acupuncture.

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Symptoms of facial neuritis

Facial neuritis, known as idiopathic facial paralysis, is a common disease in neurology. The main clinical manifestations and symptoms include acute onset, peaking within several hours to days. The primary manifestation is paralysis of the expression muscles on the affected side of the face, such as diminished forehead wrinkles, inability to open the eye, furrow the brow, or weak eyelid closure. Some patients may experience pain behind the ear, and in the tympanic membrane and external ear canal. Additionally, some patients exhibit deviation of the mouth corner, air leakage when puffing or whistling, and difficulty retaining food residues while eating or leaking water while drinking. Other patients may experience loss of taste in the anterior two-thirds of the tongue, along with secretion disorders of the salivary and lacrimal glands. Overall, the diagnosis of facial neuritis is relatively straightforward, and its clinical presentation is not particularly complex. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, timely treatment is essential, and most patients can recover.

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What should I do if facial neuritis is accompanied by a fever?

Patients with facial neuritis who experience a fever with a body temperature above 38.5°C can undergo antipyretic treatment. They can take oral acetaminophen or ibuprofen, or receive intramuscular injections of Chaihu and Lysine Aspirin Injection. Simultaneously, antiviral medications should be used, such as ribavirin, oseltamivir, ganciclovir, and acyclovir, etc. It is also crucial to actively use medications that nourish the nerves, such as oral vitamin B1, vitamin B12, cobamamide, and methylcobalamin. During the acute phase, corticosteroids, which also have a certain antipyretic effect, can be used to reduce local edema and promote the absorption of inflammation. Dexamethasone and prednisone are commonly used clinically, and the medication period should generally not exceed two weeks, etc. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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The difference between facial neuritis and facial nerve paralysis

The difference between facial neuritis and facial nerve paralysis is that facial neuritis refers specifically to peripheral facial paralysis, while facial nerve paralysis is a broader concept. It includes peripheral facial palsy caused by facial neuritis, as well as central facial palsy caused by cerebrovascular diseases. Therefore, the two have different clinical concepts and symptoms. Facial neuritis can involve paralysis of the entire facial muscles, including the disappearance of forehead lines and the shallowing of the nasolabial fold below the eye slit, as well as deviation of the mouth corner. Facial nerve paralysis, in addition to the symptoms caused by facial neuritis, may also include central facial palsy caused by cerebrovascular diseases. Central facial palsy does not affect the facial muscles above the eye slit, but only causes paralysis of the facial muscles below the eye slit, including shallowing of the nasolabial fold and deviation of the mouth corner. Therefore, facial nerve paralysis is a more extensive concept.

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Is facial neuritis inflammation?

Bell's palsy is essentially an inflammatory reaction, but this inflammation is a nonspecific type. It also exhibits the typical inflammatory symptoms of redness, swelling, heat, and pain. However, this inflammation is not caused by direct infection from viruses, bacteria, or fungi. Since Bell's palsy is an inflammatory condition, its treatment must include corticosteroids for management. Additionally, administration of B vitamins is necessary to promote nerve function recovery. Moreover, targeted rehabilitation exercises, acupuncture, and local physiotherapy from the rehabilitation department also play a vital role in the recovery from Bell's palsy. Generally, with proper and timely treatment, Bell's palsy can fully recover, and most patients will not experience any impact on their future quality of life. However, if the symptoms of Bell's palsy are very severe, and the patient has a history of diabetes, the prognosis may be poorer.

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Symptoms of facial neuritis

The clinical symptoms of facial neuritis mainly manifest as peripheral facial paralysis, such as the patient's affected side having shallower forehead wrinkles, or disappearing wrinkles, weakened eyelid closure, and in some severe cases, the inability to close the eyes, which can easily lead to corneal damage. There is also noticeable drooping of the mouth corner, a shallower nasolabial fold, and leaking while drinking. The affected individuals are unable to whistle or puff their cheeks. Some patients may also experience disorders in the secretion of salivary and lacrimal glands, taste disturbances at the anterior part of the tongue, and a few may have herpes zoster in the external auditory canal or periosteum with significant pain. The treatment for facial neuritis generally involves the use of corticosteroids.