Facial Paralysis

Q If I receive treatment diligently, can I fully return to how I was before? Or will some trace remain?

A. Mild to moderate cases have a high chance of full recovery. Severe cases may leave a subtle asymmetry, but in many cases recovery reaches a level that doesn't interfere with daily life.

Q My ear hurts terribly and blisters appeared, and now I have facial paralysis. Is this Ramsay Hunt syndrome?

A. When blisters and pain around the ear appear together with facial paralysis, Ramsay Hunt syndrome is suspected. It recovers more slowly and has a lower cure rate than Bell's palsy, so early antiviral treatment is important.

Q Along with facial paralysis I developed tinnitus and hearing loss. Are the two symptoms related?

A. The facial nerve and the auditory nerve run very close together inside the ear, so hearing abnormalities can accompany facial paralysis. This is especially common in Ramsay Hunt syndrome.

Q My eye won't close and it's very uncomfortable at night. How do I prevent corneal damage?

A. Use artificial tears frequently, apply eye ointment at bedtime, then close the eye with tape or an eye patch. If the eye can't close, there is a risk of corneal damage, so prompt measures are needed.

Q Are there facial muscle exercises I can do at home? I've also heard they can do harm if done wrong.

A. In front of a mirror, gently practice closing the eye, pursing the lips, and wrinkling the forehead three times a day. Excessive force can worsen synkinesis, so don't overdo it.

Q How do you tell facial paralysis from a stroke apart from facial palsy (gu-an-wa-sa)? I heard if the forehead wrinkles it's okay.

A. In peripheral palsy (gu-an-wa-sa) the forehead won't wrinkle and the eye won't close, but in stroke (central type) the forehead is normal and only the lower face is paralyzed. If limb weakness or slurred speech also occur, go to the emergency room immediately.

Q Is it safe to take the steroids prescribed by my doctor together with herbal medicine?

A. In most cases they can be combined, but the type of herbal medicine and the timing need to be coordinated. Be sure to tell your Korean medicine doctor about your prescribed medications.

Q How long does it take for facial palsy to fully heal? I'm worried about my job.

A. Mild cases may take a few weeks, severe cases several months. The course of recovery within 6 to 8 weeks of onset and the initial House-Brackmann grade determine the prognosis.

Q I heard after-effects can remain if treatment starts late. What kind of after-effects are there, and can they be prevented?

A. If recovery is incomplete, after-effects such as synkinesis and facial contracture can remain. Starting treatment quickly within 72 hours of onset is the key to preventing them.

Q My mouth suddenly drooped and I can't close my eye. Why does facial palsy (gu-an-wa-sa) happen?

A. It occurs when the 7th facial nerve is compressed by inflammation and swelling within its narrow bony canal. The most common form, Bell's palsy, is thought to be triggered by viral infection.

Q My mouth twisted after extreme overwork and lack of sleep. Can being exhausted really be the cause?

A. Overwork and sleep deprivation drain the body's energy, undermining blood flow and immunity to the facial area. A depleted, run-down body is an important backdrop to onset.

Q Are there foods I should avoid during facial palsy treatment? I usually enjoy coffee and salty food.

A. Caffeine dries out the mucous membranes, and salty or heavily seasoned food raises blood viscosity and hinders circulation. Cutting back during treatment is good for recovery.

Q My facial palsy came during a period of heavy stress and overtime. What should I change to prevent recurrence?

A. Chronic stress overactivates the sympathetic nervous system, constricting microvessels and lowering immunity. Adequate sleep and relaxation are the keys to preventing recurrence.

Q How often do I need to visit Dongjedang in Dongincheon? Do I have to come every day?

A. The acute phase (1 to 2 weeks) is usually 4 to 5 times a week, the recovery phase 3 times a week, and the later phase 1 to 2 times a week. It is adjusted according to severity and recovery speed.

Q They say the 72 hours after facial palsy onset is the golden time. Do I really have to start treatment within that window?

A. Yes, the 72 hours after onset is the golden time. Starting steroids together with Korean medicine treatment in this window makes a big difference in reducing nerve damage and preventing after-effects.

Q How does Korean medicine treatment differ between the early stage and the recovery phase?

A. The acute phase uses clearing-the-upper-body and detoxifying to address heat and blood stasis, the recovery phase focuses on circulation and muscle rehabilitation, and the later phase on suppressing after-effects and replenishing qi and blood, changing stage by stage.

Q Is acupuncture actually effective for facial paralysis? I'm confused because different clinics give conflicting advice.

A. Acupuncture and electroacupuncture treatments performed on facial acupoints such as Jichang and Xieju are effective for symptom improvement when combined with Western medical treatment. They stimulate both nerve-related circulation and muscle rehabilitation.

Q Does herbal medicine help facial palsy recovery? How is it different from just getting acupuncture?

A. Herbal medicine matched to your pattern, such as Gyeonjeong-san, calms nerve inflammation and replenishes depleted qi and blood to aid recovery. If acupuncture is local stimulation, herbal medicine addresses the flow of the whole body.