Treatment results of acupuncture in inferior alveolar and lingual nerves sensory paralysis after oral surgery

Abstract

The effect of acupuncture in sensory paralysis was evaluated in 43 patients. Thiry-two cases in the study group were after mandibular third molar extraction and 11 cases by postoperative injury of orthognathic surgery. Treatment was performed in four forms: needles only (A), A with moxibustion (AK), electrical needle stimulation (ESA) using LEP 4000 OhmPulser Ra direct current 6 V 5-100 Hz, and ESA+A; exercise therapy was also given 1 or 2 times weekly. There were, however, some variations depending on the patient's conditions. Visual analog scale (VAS) measurement was carried out in addition to the estimation of effectiveness. The group receiving ESA+A seemed to improve better than those receiving other forms of treatment. The results indicated that young patients less than 40 years old tend to improve with fewer treatment times of shorter duration. With respect to the relationship between the effect and the time of starting treatment, we noticed that the earlier the treatment is started, the better the improvement. In summary, the study indicated that acupuncture is useful in treating sensory paralysis.