Bells' Palsy or facial paralysis is a condition caused by the dysfunction of the facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) resulting in the loss of control of facial muscles on the affected side.  Generally, it affects only one side of the face, but in rare cases, it can affect both sides.  It can begin suddenly and reach peak symptoms within 48 hours.  Symptoms range from mild weakness to total loss of control (paralysis). They may also include twitching, drooping of the eyelid or corner of the mouth, drooling, dry eye or mouth, loss of taste, or inability to completely close the eye.  It is common to have distorted facial expression. 

Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chretien had Bell's Palsy at his youth and it was not completely resolved, resulting in one side of his face slightly frozen.

TCM (Tradition Chinese medicine) views Bell's Palsy as being caused by weaknesses in the internal systems and deficiency of Qi and Blood, combined with an attack by external pathogenic factors such as Wind which cause stagnation of Qi in the meridians.  The treatments will need to be geared towards where the weaknesses and deficiencies are, as well as the expulsion of Wind from the affected areas.  The success rate is excellent when acupuncture is applied within a day or two of the appearance of the symptoms.  In general, the longer the delay of acupuncture, the more work is required to remove the symptoms, since the Wind will have settled more deeply into the meridians causing more serious blockages.