• 11 Oct 2022
• |
• By Admin

Explained: Physiotherapy for Facial Palsy / Bell's Palsy

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Yes, Physiotherapy can help patients with Facial Palsy / Bell's Palsy to reduce pain, start the recovery process, and gradually lead a normal life.

Before we share how, let’s first discuss what is Facial Palsy / Bell's Palsy, and the common symptoms and causes of the same.

Let’s start!

What Is Facial Palsy / Bell's Palsy?

In Bell’s Palsy/Facial Palsy, the patient experiences sudden weakness of face muscle, mostly on one side, which makes the face appear to droop.

In most cases, both facial palsy and bell’s palsy are used interchangeably, but, there exist some differences.

While facial palsy can be a permanent situation, Bell’s Palsy is temporary and can be cured gradually. In fact, in most cases of Bell’s palsy, the patient is able to recover without any surgical process.

Causes Of Facial Palsy / Bell's Palsy

Still, even after much advancement in medical research, the exact cause of Facial Palsy / Bell's Palsy is unknown.

As per some research, it was found that this condition occurs due to swelling and inflammation of the nerve, which controls the muscles on the face.

In some cases, it can happen due to some spontaneous reaction after a viral infection, especially if a dormant virus becomes re-activated.

Some other causes include Haemorrhage, Vasculitides, HIV, Multiple sclerosis, Intracranial tumor, and/or stroke.

Symptoms Of Facial Palsy / Bell's Palsy

Some common symptoms include:

- Mild to severe paralysis of one side of the face, which can happen suddenly, without any warning

- In some mild cases, there is no paralysis, but the sudden weakness of the facial muscles

- Facial droop is the most common symptom

- The patient has difficulty making facial expressions and finds it tough, almost impossible to smile

- Difficulty in the closing of eyes at the impacted side of the face is also common

- Continuous or random drooling

- Constant pain in and around the jaw and in some cases, even behind the ears

- Headache

- Loss of taste

- The amount of tears and saliva is changed gradually

Physiotherapy For Facial Palsy / Bell's Palsy

Every case of Facial Palsy / Bell's Palsy is different and has certain unique characteristics, pertaining to the patient’s age, the severity of the condition, symptoms, and more.

In typical cases of bell’s palsy, it has been found that physiotherapy has been extremely helpful in the management of pain, increasing the strength, and mobility of the patient, and enabling them to lead a normal life, without any external support.

In our Clinic we have Excellent HMS surge Faradic, Galvanic Facial Stimulator, Which re energizes the Motor Points of Facial muscles and starts Impulses in them, Along with facial Stimulation , targeted facial exercises helps to restore the Power in muscles and regain facial coordination and movement.

Besides, physiotherapy has also been observed to help in the management of Synkinesis, which happens after an injury to facial nerves.

With physiotherapy, patients can be taught to re-learn neuromuscular activities, which enables them to regain strength, range of facial movement, and symmetry.

Book an appointment with our UK-trained and certified physiotherapists to find out more about different physiotherapy-based treatments for Facial Palsy / Bell's Palsy, and take the 1st step towards healing.