말초성 안면마비 후유증 환자에서 침 치료와 바깥목동맥으로의 분지 영역에 시행한 고주파 병행 치료의 안면부종 감소 효과: 증례보고

This study was performed to evaluate the effect of high frequency therapy applied to the region branching to the external carotid artery for peripheral facial paralysis sequelae. A patient suffering with facial edema due to facial paralysis sequelae had been treated with acupuncture, high frequency therapy on the branch area to the external carotid artery for 7 weeks. The evaluation of clinical outcome was done by degree of swelling by measuring the distance of the face and skin temperature of face through digital infrared thermographic imaging. After treatment, the patient''s degree of swelling and the temperature difference between the affected side and normal side was decreased. In addition, the temperature was changed in the entire facial area as well as the treatment point of high frequency therapy. This result shows that acupuncture combined with high frequency therapy at the region branching to the external carotid artery could be an effective way to improve facial blood flow, although further clinical studies will be needed. (J Korean Med Rehabil 2020;30(4):233-241)