Acupuncture for Bell’s Palsy
Bell’s palsy causes sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face, affecting your ability to smile, blink, or close your eye fully. It can be alarming when it appears, but most people recover well with the right care at the right time. At our Islington clinic we use acupuncture for Bell’s palsy alongside the treatment your GP prescribes.
When to Get Help Urgently
Call 999 immediately if symptoms come on suddenly (within minutes) and include any of the following, as these can be signs of a stroke:
• The face droops on one side
• One arm can’t be lifted and held up
• Speech is slurred or difficult to understand
If you notice one-sided facial weakness developing more gradually (over several hours or a day or two), contact your GP the same day or call 111.
Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy:
• Weakness or paralysis on one side of the face, developing over hours to a few days
• A drooping eyelid or corner of the mouth
• Difficulty closing the eye, or a dry or watering eye
• Drooling, or a dry mouth
• Pain around the jaw or behind the ear
Acupuncture for Bell’s Palsy:
Acupuncture may be used alongside your prescribed medication to support symptom relief and recovery. Acupuncture is thought to work by:
• Stimulating the local facial nerves and muscles
• Encouraging blood flow to the affected side of the face
• Helping to calm inflammation around the nerve
What to Expect from Treatment:
We’ll take a full history, including when your symptoms started, what your GP has prescribed, and how your face is affected day to day. We may take photos (with your consent) to track your progress over time and compare at future visits.
During acupuncture for Bell’s Palsy fine needles are placed at points on the face around the eyebrow, cheek, and jaw on the affected side, alongside points on the hands, legs, or feet which link to the facial channels. Most people feel a light tingling, warmth, or heaviness rather than pain. Sessions typically last 30–45 minutes, including time resting with the needles in.
We usually recommend once or twice weekly sessions in the early weeks, tapering as your face recovers. Since most people improve over several weeks to a few months (and Bell’s palsy can take up to 6–9 months to resolve fully), we’ll review your progress regularly and adjust the plan together.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Is acupuncture a cure for Bell’s palsy?
Acupuncture isn’t a cure on its own. It’s used alongside your GP’s treatment to support symptom relief and recovery.
How soon after diagnosis should I start acupuncture?
There’s no fixed rule, but many patients start once their GP has confirmed the diagnosis and steroid treatment is underway. The priority in the first 72 hours is to see your GP or call 111.
Is acupuncture safe to have alongside steroids or antiviral medication?
Yes, acupuncture is generally well tolerated alongside standard drug treatment for Bell’s palsy. Let your acupuncturist know exactly what you’ve been prescribed.
How many sessions will I need?
This varies by how severe your symptoms are and how you respond. We review progress regularly rather than committing you to a fixed course upfront.
Does facial acupuncture hurt?
Most people describe a light tingling or heaviness rather than pain. Needles used on the face are very fine.
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Islington Acupuncture is a short walk from Angel and Highbury & Islington tube stations and convenient from the City and North London.
Our team of BAcC-registered acupuncturists offers appointments Monday to Saturday. We treat patients from across Islington, Angel, Highbury, Barnsbury, Canonbury, and Finsbury Park, with both clinics an
After giving birth, I developed Bell’s palsy and despite being prescribed steroids by the doctor to relieve symptoms, acupuncture was really the only thing that seemed to make any difference to the pain and level of discomfort I felt. I am convinced that the weekly treatments with Helen helped speed up my recovery and restore movement and feeling to the left side of my face – it was a real saviour!
— Navene