A close look at an integrative treatment package for Bell's palsy in Korea.

Author: Lee SM1, Lee S2, Park JH3, Park JJ4, Lee S5.
Affiliation:
1Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: seungminnie@gmail.com.
2Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: sjstarry41@naver.com.
3Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: good-iii@hanmail.net.
4Department of Anesthesiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, NC, 27708, USA. Electronic address: jongbae.jay.park@duke.edu.
5Department of Clinical Korean Medicine, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, 02447, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: shlee777@khu.ac.kr.
Conference/Journal: Complement Ther Clin Pract.
Date published: 2017 Feb
Other: Volume ID: 26 , Pages: 76-83 , Word Count: 161


To provide an overview of the integrative treatment package for Bell's palsy provided at Kyung Hee University Korean Medicine Hospital (KHU KMH).
SUMMARY:
The Facial Palsy Center at KHU KMH has been providing integrative treatment for Bell's palsy patients during the past three decades. Within 72 h of symptom onset, corticosteroids are recommended but complementary treatment including acupuncture and herbal medicine can be used to help suppress inflammation and nerve degeneration. If patients suffer from postauricular pain, pharmacopuncture and cupping is utilized. During the subacute or chronic periods, different acupuncture types are selected accordingly, and herbal medicine and moxibustion helps to improve immune functions and relieve accessory symptoms. Qigong programs are also provided to help relieve facial tension and paralysis.
CONCLUSIONS:
Although rigorous research is warranted, with limited treatment options, we highly suggest that it is worth applying integrative medicine to Bell's palsy patients.
Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

KEYWORDS:
Acupuncture; Bell's palsy; Integrative treatment; Korean medicine
PMID: 28107855 DOI: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2016.12.003

BACK