Dr Maggie Ju Acupuncture London Chelsea, North Kensington, Notting Hill, and Richmond

Sinusitis, a common medical condition, affects millions of people worldwide. Often dismissed as a minor inconvenience, sinusitis can significantly impact your quality of life if left untreated. In this article, we will explore why it's crucial to get your sinusitis treated and the potential consequences of neglecting this common ailment. Understanding Sinusitis Sinusitis, commonly known as a sinus infection, occurs when the sinuses become inflamed and swollen. The sinuses are air-filled cavities located behind your forehead, cheeks, and eyes. When they become blocked and infected, it leads to a range of uncomfortable symptoms, including: Facial pain and pressure Nasal congestion Runny or stuffy nose Headache Coughing Fatigue Fever Types of Sinusitis There are several types of sinusitis, including acute, subacute, chronic, and recurrent. Each type can vary in duration and severity, but they all share the potential for complications if not properly treated. The Importance of Treatmen...

Facial spasm, also known as hemifacial spasm, is a relatively rare condition characterized by involuntary twitching of the facial muscles on one side of the face. Though typically not painful, it can lead to discomfort and impair normal facial expression and vision. The most prevalent cause of facial spasm is the compression of the facial nerve by an artery. This nerve plays a crucial role in controlling facial muscles responsible for moving the eyebrows, closing the eyes, and manipulating the mouth and lips. While conventional treatments involving anticonvulsants and muscle relaxants are used to manage facial spasm, a growing body of evidence suggests that acupuncture could offer a promising alternative. Over the past decade, various studies have explored the effectiveness of acupuncture in treating facial spasm, and the results have been encouraging. One of the early studies compared acupuncture with acupressure in 86 patients with facial spasm. The findings revealed that acupunctu...

Acupuncture for Orofacial Pain Orofacial pain, also known as facial pain, refers to a discomfort experienced in the front part of the head, including the oral cavity. It is a common issue seen in primary care settings. A study conducted in British primary care involving 2,504 adult patients found that nearly a quarter of them reported orofacial pain. The most frequent cause of orofacial pain is dental problems, such as tooth decay, periodontal diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and neuropathological conditions. Patients with orofacial pain often experience elevated anxiety levels, and there is a correlation between anxiety and the intensity of the pain. Managing orofacial pain can be challenging, and it typically involves the use of medications and complementary therapies. Acupuncture has been recognized by dentists as an effective method for relieving orofacial pain. The UCLA School of Dentistry offers a unique program based on evidence and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory ...

Neuropathic pain, also known as nerve pain, is a type of pain that occurs due to damage to the nervous system. It can arise from any level of the nervous system, including the peripheral nerves, spinal cord, and brain. Patients with neuropathic pain typically experience spontaneous and/or evoked pain. Spontaneous pain is characterized by shooting, burning, stabbing, or electric shock-like pain, as well as tingling, numbness, or a "pins and needles" sensation. Evoked pain, on the other hand, is pain brought on by normally non-painful stimuli, such as cold, gentle brushing against the skin, or pressure, and can also be increased by normally painful stimuli like pinpricks and heat. Neuropathic pain is a common problem, affecting more than 7% of the general population and accounting for 20 to 25% of individuals with chronic pain. However, treating neuropathic pain is a significant challenge, and the available treatment options are often limited by side effects and tolerance. In...

Trigeminal neuralgia is a syndrome characterized by neuropathic pain, which manifests as intense episodes of pain in the facial area within the trigeminal nerve region. While it typically affects only one side of the face, it can also affect both sides. The pain is often progressive and can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life. However, acupuncture is an effective treatment that does not produce any unwanted side effects. Trigeminal neuralgia is a condition that can cause significant discomfort and distress. The pain is usually described as a sharp, shooting, or electric shock-like sensation that occurs in the face. It may be triggered by certain activities, such as chewing, speaking, or touching the affected area. The pain can be so severe that it can interfere with an individual's ability to perform daily activities. Acupuncture is an ancient form of traditional Chinese medicine that involves the insertion of fine needles into specific points on the bo...

Bell's palsy (BP) is a common condition that affects the peripheral facial nerve, resulting in unilateral weakness or paralysis of the face. It is a type of cranial mononeuropathy and accounts for 70% of peripheral facial palsies. Despite its prevalence, the cause of BP is not fully understood. Acupuncture has been widely used to treat neuropathy, and previous studies have suggested that it can improve facial motor symptoms, reduce pain around the ear, and speed up recovery. In a recent study, researchers investigated the effect of acupuncture on the acute stage of BP. The study enrolled a total of 345 patients who had been newly diagnosed with BP and underwent acupuncture treatment between August 2016 and December 2021. Patients were followed until they had fully recovered. If recovery was incomplete within 6 weeks, the next follow-up was at 12 and 24 weeks. The facial function was assessed at all visits. The results of the study showed that patients who received acupuncture withi...

Acupuncture is effective for facial pain Acupuncture was effective in pain reduction in patients with facial pain. It has immediate effect. A case reported by Goddard G was about effectiveness of acupuncture in patients with orofacial pain. 29 patients with chronic orofacial pain received acupuncture treatment. The pain was assessed before and after acupuncture treatment. Pain score was significantly reduced after the treatment. Simma I et al studied the effect of acupuncture in patients with craniomandibular disorders, headache and local pain in orofacial, cervical and temporomandibular joint areas using randomized controlled trials. 23 patients were divided into two groups acupuncture group or placebo laser control groups. Pain was assessed immediately before and after the treatment. They found that pain reduction is significantly different between acupuncture group and control group. Shen YF and Goddard G assessed the effect of acupuncture on chronic myofascial pain. There were 15 p...