Massage Therapy for Bell’s Palsy

Bell's palsy is not hard to diagnose. If a person presents symptoms of unilateral facial weakness, with sudden onset and unknown cause, he probably has Bell's Palsy. The symptoms generally max out within just a few days. Bell's Palsy is an issue involving the facial nerve, also known as the cranial nerve VII. Other typical manifestations are loss of taste, slurring of speech, drooling, hypersensitivity to sound, and involuntary tearing of the eye. Ear pain may also be present. Bells Palsy causes a flaccid paralysis of facial muscles on the same side of the nerve lesion.

Bell ’s palsy is believed as being a consequence of injury to the facial nerve which facilitates movement of the muscles on one side of the face, that can cause drooping of that same side of the face (ipsilateral facial paralysis). While Bell ’s palsy is most frequent in teenagers, the elderly, diabetic patients, and expectant mothers, it may also inflict anyone.

Bell's palsy usually occurs as a shock to anyone especially that the discovery of the disorder happens in the morning when they wake up and feel heaviness and numbness on the face. What shocks them the most is their face drooping to one side when they look at themselves in the mirror. Majority of sufferers have no previous symptoms or ignore the signs, such as ear and neck pains or pain at the back of the head. While it is thought to be a stroke attack at first, they are absolutely different and the locations of the lesions are different. Bell's palsy is a temporary condition which generally resolves in 3 weeks’ time without medication.

The goal of treatment focuses mainly on preventing corneal complications and achieving fast recovery. The affected eye must be kept lubricated by applying eye drops at daytime and an eye ointment at bedtime. Faster recovery may be obtained with the use of antiviral drugs, corticosteroids, and physical therapy.

Massage therapy can definitely help in speedy recovery from Bell's palsy. The therapy involves daily facial massage and practicing facial expressions. Moreover, a full body massage may also help the patient as the condition may bring about great stress emotionally and psychologically. Stress and depression are just two negative feelings that a Bell’s palsy patient may suffer.

A 20 minute facial massage must be an everyday regimen for all those battling with Bell's palsy. A face massage may help keep the paralyzed portion of the face stimulated as well as relieve any kind of discomfort associated with the disorder.

Massage should be done in circular motion, starting from the eyebrows toward the chin and giving special attention to the region below the cheekbone. The process is best done twice a day, morning and night.

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