Neurological disorder: Trigeminal neuralgia – Trigeminal nerve (V) Facial nerve paralysis -Bell’s palsy and Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome

Cranial nerve disease is an impaired functioning of one of the twelve cranial nerves The most common cause of this cranial nerve damage is Bell’s palsy (idiopathic facial palsy) which is a paralysis of the facial nerve. Although Bell’s palsy is more prominent in adults it seems to be found in those younger than 20 or older than 60 years of age. Bell’s Palsy is thought to occur by an infection of the herpes virus which may cause demyelination and has been found in patients with facial nerve palsy. Symptoms include flattening of the forehead, sagging of the eyebrow, and difficulty closing the eye and the mouth on the side of the face that is affected. The inability to close the mouth causes problems in feeding and speech. It also causes lack of taste, acrimation.

Melkersson–Rosenthal syndrome (also termed “Miescher-Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome”),is a rare neurological disorder characterized by recurring facial paralysis, swelling of the face and lips (usually the upper lip)

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Note on Patient #1:

Trigenminal Neuralgia – Stabbing, burning, shocking pain above gum-line below left eye next to nostril. Sometimes accompanied by pain above eye in forehead.

The trigenminal neuralgia started after a root canal 4 years ago. Pain comes and goes every couple of months. Patient has tried Septoplasty, Apecoectomy, Glycerol injections into the nerve with no sign of improvement.

First of acupuncture treatment has stopped the pain for several hours. The pain came back with lesser strength. The pain later stays most in the upper cheek from Ju Liao to left eye. Since patient face is oily and dark color, the Spleen meridian is added to assist Qi movement. Third visit has shown greater improvement. Advice patient not to smoke and drink alcohol.

Patient recovered completely after her 8 sessions.

N.C
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Note on Patient #2:

Suffering from facial paralysis of left side of face or Bells Palsy for 2 weeks. Patient has type II diabetes. Patient has tried different kinds of medication except surgery which patient feels risky and no-proof. Her conventional doctor said her all left side of face were paralyzed. In addition, she has burning pain from back of head to her ear.

After 4 sessions, her left side face can show muscle tone. There were no pain in her ear and back of head. Left eye still cannot close. After 10 acupuncture sessions or about 2 weeks of treatment, her left side face can smile and move, left eye can close. Her mouth moves centered and can speak. The Bell Palsy symptoms are barely visible and patient feels much more confident.

B.H