[SUN Shentian's clinical experience in the treatment of refractory facial paralysis with acupuncture and moxibustion].

Abstract

This paper introduces Professor SUN Shentian's clinical experience in the treatment of refractory facial paralysis with acupuncture and moxibustion. Professor SUN believes that the etiology of refractory facial paralysis is complex. Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment should be based on cortical localization, Baihui (GV20), lower 1/5 of motor area and brainstem area are selected, and repetitive transcranial acupuncture is applied. Under the ultrasonic positioning, acupuncture is performed on the starting and ending points of the mimetic muscles in different lesion sites. Combined with the TCM pathogenesis of refractory facial paralysis with deficiency of healthy qi and retention of pathogenic factors, acupuncture and moxibustion treatment takes strengthening the healthy qi and eliminating pathogenic factors as the core, and reuses the acupoints of yangming meridians (Yingxiang [LI20], Sibai [ST2], Dicang [ST4], Hegu [LI4], Zusanli [ST36], etc.) as the main acupoints to dredge the meridians. The main facial mimetic muscles and related collateral points are selected for cluster needling to dredge the collaterals. Acupuncture at Yangbai (GB14)-toward-Tongziliao (GB1), Sibai (ST2)-toward-Dicang (ST4), Dicang (ST4)-toward-Jiache (ST6) is applied and combined with the needle-sticking and lifting technique to nourishing tendons. Qihai (CV6) and Guanyuan (CV4) are selected for acupuncture before moxibustion. In addition, Professor SUN emphasizes that the three methods of kneading, acupuncture and moxibustion should be used in Yifeng (TE17), Qianzheng (Extra) and Xiaguan (ST7). Professor SUN combines TCM syndrome differentiation with modern technology, which has the advantages of accurate positioning and diverse techniques, and provides a new idea for the treatment of refractory facial paralysis.