According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, facial paralysis is known as 'deviated mouth'. It was attributed to 'wind' by past dynasties. 'Qi' refers to the vital substances comprising the human body and the physiological functions of viscera and bowels, channels and collaterals. It maintains life activities and reflects the resistance of the human body. Deficiency of 'qi' allows the invasion of exogenous pathogenic wind. Acupuncture is part of Traditional Chinese Medicine and dates back thousands of years. It involves inserting fine needles into specific points on the skin or applying various other techniques to the acupuncture points to bring about healing. In Bell's palsy, acupuncture treatment might have numerous beneficial effects.

Western Point of View
Bell's palsy is a condition that affects the facial nerve, and therefore the function of the muscles, on one side of the face. The facial nerve is one of the 12 cranial nerves and is given the designation of the 7th cranial nerve (CN VII). There is a facial nerve on each side of the face. This nerve can be considered to be the nerve that controls facial expression, so when its function is disrupted, the control of facial expression is impaired.

While a number of different conditions can cause damage to the facial nerve, including tumors, trauma, toxins, and neurologic diseases, true Bell's palsy is an idiopathic (meaning that the cause is unknown) paralysis of the facial nerve. It typically occurs on one side of the face and comes on suddenly, sometimes overnight. The diagnosis of Bell's palsy is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that this diagnosis is made when all the potential other causes of nerve damage have been ruled out. Most investigators believe that Bell's palsy results from a viral infection of some type.

The degree to which facial muscle control varies among affected individuals. Symptoms are paralysis (to a varying degree) of all muscles on one side of the face, including the forehead muscles, which results in an asymmetric or distorted appearance to the face and an abnormal facial expression. The face may appear to droop, and it can be hard to close the affected eye. It can be difficult to eat or drink without spilling food out of the side of the mouth. There can be associated numbness or pain in the ear, face, neck, or tongue. Some patients report an increased hearing sensitivity (hyperacusis) as well. The paralysis may be accompanied by twitching of the face, dryness of the mouth or eyes, drooling, or changes in taste perception.