Multiple Sclerosis

Head and Facial Deficits

Multiple sclerosis (or MS) is a chronic, often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system (CNS), (which is made up of the brain, spinal cord, and optic nerves.)

Symptoms may be mild, such as numbness in the limbs, or severe, such as paralysis or loss of vision.

The progress, severity, and specific symptoms of MS are unpredictable and vary from one person to another

How MS Affects the Face

Certain clinical manifestations can affect the facial region in individuals with MS (Multiple Sclerosis)

Trigeminal neuralgia is present in about 1.9% of cases. Compared to conventional Trigeminal Neuralgia which is unilateral, the trigeminal neuralgia caused by multiple sclerosis can be bilateral. The pain is sudden, is described as being like an electric shock and can be provoked by touching the cheek, tooth brushing or eating.The pain only lasts for a few seconds; however, it can return several times during the day. The pain is usually very severe.

Sensory neuropathy of the trigeminal nerve (parasthesia) secondary to multiple sclerosis can be progressive, irreversible and bilateral. It preferentially affects the second and third divisions of the trigeminal nerve. Onset is sudden and is sometimes accompanied by pain.

Facial paralysis appears later in the course of the disease. It may be difficult to distinguish between the paralysis caused by multiple sclerosis and that due to Bell’s Palsy, Up to 24.3% of multiple sclerosis sufferers may experience facial paralysis.

Acupuncture Can Help With MS

With the many symptoms of MS, how the face is affected depends a lot on the type of MS, the severity, and progression of MS. Many of the facial symptoms are similar to other facial neuromuscular conditions, such as stroke, bells palsy, and trigeminal neuralgia. 

Acupuncture has been effectively used in all of these conditions with good success when treatment starts early with onset of symptoms. Because of the complexity of MS, your acupuncturist will treat both the body and face to achieve the best results.

Depending on the severity of your symptoms, your acupuncture may recommend treatments 2-3 times a week initially until the symptoms start to improve, then treatments may decrease to 1-2 times per week until desirable results are achieved. Your acupuncturist may also recommend herbal medicines that are designed specifically for facial palsy and or facial pain. 

Begin your journey to healing and call today 603-672-0272.