Treatment of Bell's palsy using tan balancing acupuncture

Bell's palsy is an acute peripheral facial neuropathy resulting in facial asymmetry and sensory paralysis on the affected side. Its pathogenesis may involve viral infection, nerve compression, and autoimmunity. Male and female individuals are equally affected. Medical interventions include eye protection, treatment with corticosteroids or antivirals, physical therapy, surgery, and acupuncture. Acupuncture had been used in the treatment of Bell's palsy and showed satisfactory results for persistent cases particularly in reducing numbness and facial asymmetry. This study showed the effects of manual acupuncture using the Tan balancing method, a rarely used technique that has never been published before, in the treatment of Bell's palsy. In this case report, Tan balancing acupuncture showed satisfactory results.