Will Acupuncture and Laser Light Therapy Help Me?

I have tried an acupuncurist twice and didn't feel any relief. He wants to try low level laser therapy and wants me to purchase an inexpensive laser pointer and use it every day on the painful and tight areas on my face. He used it on my and I didn't feel any better the second day, possible even a littel worse. What do you think? It has been 8 mo and I am tired of the pain and pulling.

Tags:

Comment on this

2 Doctor Answers | Asked by Fiona12

Doctor Answers (2)
Community Comments (2)

Dysesthesias 8 Months after Facelift

Though the dysesthesias may get better with time, a pain management specialist may be appropriate. Massage may help, as well as neuromodulating drugs like Gabapentin. Local blocks may be helpful or lidocaine patches, but I have never used these -- these are better determined by pain management specialists. Hope this helps.

Adjunctive Therpaies for Facelift Healing

In my office, I routinely give all my surgical patients a homeopathic formulation of Arnica montana (for swelling and bruising), and use light and ultrasound therapy after surgery to promote healing. Discuss with your surgeon if gentle massage (with a therapist) may be helpful at this point. Sometimes, Botox into the tight platsyma (neck) muscles can lessen the tension in the neck until healing is complete.

Comments (2)

PLM11 30 Nov 2012

Hi Fiona, I stumbled upon your question. Is the tightness/pulling primarily around the ears? I had a mini-facelift and neck lift 6 months ago and my ears have been pretty miserable ever since.As I understand it, healing nerves are the culprit. Other than massage, ultrasound and possibly steroid injection, nothing much to do except wait and hope for the best. (There are also some neurological meds you can take but they have lots of side effects.) By the way, I tried two different acupuncturists -- first one had absolutely no effect and the second one actually made things much worse. I'd be very careful with lasers. Good luck to you -- I literally feel your pain.

Lydia in NJ 12 Nov 2012

Fiona12, I am sorry you're suffering so from the "pain and pulling." Desiring the procedures you had done 8 months ago, I have been reading quite a lot regarding face, eye, and neck lifts on this site. I stumbled upon your questions/comments while researching. And so, I did a search about the tightness you are suffering with -- and came across the following question: "Neck And Lower Facelift Are Too Tight" -- located in the Lower FaceLift Q&A section -- asked by a member named, "la in Watervliet." Likely, you have found and read this post, on your own, already -- but if not, take a look. There are 21 doctor responses. Some are quite technical and informative. Ignore the responses that are not helpful for your situation. Anyway, I gather from my skimming of the doctor responses that surgical intervention is perhaps a possibility. Also, that although you've been suffering so many months, apparently nature (eventual re-loosening due to normal continual aging) will loosen the tightness. Personally, I was friends with a woman who felt the noose-like feeling you have she had itnfor a little over a year. Suffering in silence, finally she felt relief (although her neck didn't look as smooth and tight any longer). She honestly didn't care about her appearance. She was happy to be feeling better. REMAIN HOPEFUL! Do seek surgical help in the meantime, but also know you will feel better eventually.

Ask a Question