We experienced two cases of paralysis in the facial area treated with complementary oriental medicine.
Case 1
A 68-year-oid female presented herself in the emergency department at the Iwate Medical University with a complaint of facial deformity.
She was diagnosed as left facial paralysis with ptosis and drooping of a corner of the mouth.
In our clinic, she was first treated with stellate ganglion block, steroids and antivirals.
One week later, we adopted trans-cutaneous electric stimulation therapy and 2 months later used acupuncture. All the symptoms disappeared over a 9 month period.
Case 2
A 49-year-old female was referred to Iwate Medical University Department of Oral Maxillo-facial Surgery because of her facial itching and hypesthesia.
She was diagnosed as herpes zoster and transferred to our clinic. She was treated with stellate ganglion block, trans-cutaneous electric stimulation therapy and steroids.
One month later, her symptoms were partially lessened.
Two months later, a diagnosis of peripheral trigeminal nerve paralysis of the fist, second and third divisions, was established after a complete medical examination.
After that, her paresthesia gradually changed neuralgia-like in spite of our clinical care.
Five years later, her symptoms improved to a certain extent with the use of acupuncture.
Conclusion
We conclude that oriental medicine is effective in the treatment of paralysis.