ML – 2022/08/08

My review of Revolve Therapy is particularly addressed to skeptics like myself, and those with no experience in Traditional Chinese Medicine. I receive no compensation for this. My goal is to encourage anybody on the fence to give acupuncture a shot if they are considering whether to pursue it. My other goal is to generally promote the wonderful results I have experienced as a result of visiting Revolve Therapy. If you are visiting Revolve Therapy for any other reason than acupuncture, I have some general thoughts further down but have no experience with the other functions of the clinic.

Revolve Therapy has been an essential part of my routine for the last four months. Four months ago, near the end of March 2022, I left work early because of a severe headache. It was bright when I went outside, and I soon discovered that when I squinted my eyes to avoid looking into the sun, the right side of my face wouldn’t move. Concerned that I was having a stroke, I visited the ER where i was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy (aka idiopathic facial palsy, aka Palsy of Cranial Nerve VII). I have been recovering from this ever since. Three independent medical professions (the ER doctor, my neurologist, and a second opinion) noted my case as either severe or one of the worst cases they have ever seen.

When this began, my assigned neurologist had suggested that acupuncture had worked for others, although the research linking recovery to acupuncture was thin. They suggested that acupuncture, however, would do no harm. I researched various medical journals searching for details. What I found were two very explainable issues that resulted in less-than-ideal research:

– Most studies were done in regions where acupuncture is very popular, specifically China, and therefore do not represent a global population;

– Tests were not “double-blind”, i.e. the person administering the acupuncture has to know that they are administering acupuncture. In a true double-blind experiment, both the subject and the expert would not know whether they are receiving acupuncture or not. I can’t think of a way you would conduct this experiment.

My initial skepticism prevented me from pursuing acupuncture immediately. After two weeks of deliberation and absolutely zero improvement in my ability to move the right side of my face, I decided to schedule a consultation and appointment. I tested several diagnostics one hour prior to my appointment. I was:

Not able to close my right eye without the use of medical tape;
·       Not able to taste from the front-right of my tongue;
·       Lubricating my eye several times a day;
·       Unable to pronounce consonants such as B, P, F and V.
·       Unable to keep a seal in my lips (therefore unable to use straws or drink without tilting my head);
·       Hearing louder out of my right ear due to how it suppresses a dampener in the ear.

During the first acupuncture treatment:

·       Within 20 minutes, my right eye was able to close naturally (it still wouldn’t blink);
·       I felt the ability to move the right side of my lips.

I was nowhere near my previous full motor ability after one session. However, this a quantum leap of improvement considering my state just two hours ago. I felt this initial treatment was the momentum boost I was looking for.
 
Currently, I visit Revolve Therapy for one hour a week and I estimate the right side of my face is 90-95% back to normal. While I do not attribute all of the recovery to acupuncture alone, I have no choice but to believe that it has been very helpful as a complementary treatment. Initially I was warned that I may have to apply medical tape to close my eye for “several months”. Instead, I stopped using medical tape entirely after roughly four treatments.
 
Here’s what you can expect from Revolve Therapy:
·       Courteous staff, knowledgeable professionals, expert technique;
·       Direct deposit with your insurance, if they cover your treatment;
·       Punctuality, cleanliness, attention to client service.
·       Simple appointment scheduling and appointment reminders.

Revolve Therapy is pretty no-frills. There’s no waterfall, large glass windows, or marble countertops. They have everything they need to provide a welcoming and professional environment, and not much more. The savings go directly into your pocket.

Staff are extremely friendly and will go above and beyond to answer any questions you may have. The treatment itself is as efficient as you can ask for. You enter the room, lie down, have any questions answered, get the treatment (it doesn’t hurt in my case), pay, and leave. There’s chit-chat if you want it, and silence if you prefer that.
 
As somebody who has almost fully recovered from this ordeal, I feel compelled to tell anybody with the same condition to at least try Traditional Chinese Medicine for themselves. The treatment is bespoke to your condition and can change based on how it looks that day. It requires a skillful hand to properly assess how to apply treatment, and I have full faith in the staff at Revolve Therapy to do everything within their power to ensure you have an enjoyable experience and the best results they can deliver.