Making smiles and eye closure natural! Application of acupoint injection therapy in facial paralysis comorbidities: A case report

Abstract

Facial paralysis comorbidities is now understood to include two distinct forms: synkinesis and micro-entrapment syndrome of nerves innervating the face (MESNIF). These disorders manifest as oromandibular synkinesis, stiffness and atrophy of facial muscles on one side, which affect activities of daily living. Acupoint Injection is a treatment for facial paralysis, combining the meridian theory of traditional Chinese medicine, with the injection of specific drugs into acupuncture points of the face. In recent years, the use of acupoint injections has shown in remarkable clinical efficacy and few adverse effects. We report the case to introduce this integrative therapy and outline the key principles of rehabilitation therapy.