<b>The Effectiveness of Acupuncture for Crocodile Tears Syndrome </b> / 日本東洋医学雑誌

ABSTRACT

I treated crocodile tears syndrome (gustatory-lacrimal reflex) after right facial nerve palsy with acupuncture. The patient was a 74-year-old female. Her right peripheral facial nerve palsy had started one and a half years earlier.<br>Most of her facial nerve palsy symptoms disappeared in about 5 months. Sixteen months after onset of the condition, her crocodile tear phenomenon occurred spontaneously. Three acupuncture points on the face were stimulated with fine needles for 10 minutes. Her crocodile tears disappeared completely with the first acupuncture session. This case suggests the possibility of acupuncture treatment for aberrant regeneration after facial nerve palsy.