Clinical Comparative Study on Warming-unblocking Acupuncture at Point Fengchi(GB20) for the Treatment of Bell's Palsy

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect of warming-unblocking acupuncture at point Fengchi(GB20) on Bell's palsy.Method Forty patients,in whom the duration of disease was more than one week,were randomly allocated to two groups,group A and group B.Group A received conventional acupuncture treatment.Yifeng(TE17),Qianzheng(Ex),Yangbai(GB14),Taiyang(Ex-HN5),Sibai(ST2),Yingxiang(LI20),Dicang(ST4),Xiachengjiang(Ex),Zhongzhu(TE3),Hegu(LI4) and Taichong(LR3) were selected on the affected side.Perpendicular or transverse needle insertion was performed.A G6805-2 Multi-Purpose Health Device was used.The device was set to produce continuous electrical stimulation at a frequency of 1 Hz and an intensity as high as the patient just felt vibrations and could tolerate.The electrostimulation was set for 20 minutes.The needles were not manipulated during electrical stimulation.Group B received warming-unblocking acupuncture at point Fengchi selected additionally as well as the treatment given to group A.The House-Brackmann Facial Nerve Grading System scores were compared at 10,30 and 60 days after acupuncture treatment.Result By comparison,the therapeutic effect was better in group B than in group A(P0.05).Conclusion Warming-unblocking acupuncture at point Fengchi in addition to conventional acupuncture is superior to conventional acupuncture alone in treating Bell's palsy.