Hemifacial spasm, also known as facial tics, is characterized by involuntary twitching on one side of the face. The twitching is paroxysmal and irregular, with varying degrees of severity, which can be exacerbated by fatigue, mental tension, and voluntary movements. It often starts with the orbicularis oculi muscle and then involves the entire face. Hemifacial spasm can be divided into two types: one is primary hemifacial spasm, and the other is hemifacial spasm resulting from facial paralysis sequelae. The two types can be distinguished by their symptomatic manifestations. Primary hemifacial spasm can occur even in a resting state, with spasms that last for several minutes and then subside, uncontrollable. Hemifacial spasm resulting from facial paralysis sequelae only occurs during actions such as blinking and raising eyebrows. Hemifacial spasm falls under the category of "facial wind" in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is believed that this condition is caused by external pathogenic factors invading and obstructing the meridians, or by internal stagnation transforming into heat and congesting the meridians, or by a pre-existing deficiency of yin and blood in the body, leading to spasms in the facial muscles and tendons. The following acupoints are used during the acute phase of the condition: Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Zusanli (ST36), Yanglingquan (GB34), and Taichong (LR3). For the remission phase, the acupoints are the same.
Wind-Cold Obstruction Type: Facial muscle twitching, which is often exacerbated by anger or mental tension, with red face and eyes, bitter taste in the mouth, and dry throat, usually irritable and prone to anger; the tongue is slightly red, with a thin yellow coating, and the pulse is taut and rapid.
Wind-Yang Disturbance Type: Facial muscle twitching that is often intensified by annoyance or mental tension, with red face and eyes, a bitter taste in the mouth, and a dry throat. Typically irritable and prone to anger; the tongue is slightly red, with a thin yellow coating, and the pulse is taut and rapid.
Blood Deficiency and Wind Movement Type: Facial muscle twitching, dull complexion, insomnia, forgetfulness, palpitations, and anxiety, pale lips and nails; pale tongue, thin coating, and a fine and taut pulse.
It is recommended to perform moxibustion once a day, targeting 2 to 3 acupoints each time, with each acupoint being treated for 30 to 40 minutes. Rotate the points treated, with a 10-day period constituting one course of treatment, and then rest for 2 to 3 days before continuing with the next course. (If time permits and there is a need, more acupoints can be treated with moxibustion. The specific duration should be adjusted according to one's own physical needs.)
1. Patients should maintain a pleasant mood, prevent mental tension and irritability. Develop good living habits, balance work and rest, and ensure adequate sleep. 2. Engage in more facial functional exercises, such as raising eyebrows, puffing out cheeks, tightly closing eyes, and opening mouth wide. Daily facial acupoint massage should be persisted in. 3. Dietary therapy recipe: Gastrodia Elata and Pigeon Porridge. One pigeon, 10 grams of Gastrodia elata. Gastrodia elata is wrapped in cloth and stewed together for consumption, one a day. Pigeon meat in the recipe nourishes the liver and kidneys, and replenishes qi and blood. Gastrodia elata extinguishes wind and relieves convulsions, combined for conditioning hemifacial spasm caused by blood deficiency and wind disturbance.