Physiotherapy is very important for the complete recovery of facial movements, in case of Bell's facial paralysis. In this case, the physiotherapy treatment may rely especially on the exercises, which are essential for a faster and more complete recovery.
Exercises should be performed every day, preferably in front of the mirror, for greater body awareness and should start with little repetition and with a longer contraction, and after a few days of treatment, the number of repetitions can be increased and decrease the time of each contraction.
In physiotherapy, the physiotherapist may indicate some facial mimic exercises, such as:
- Open and close your eyes tightly; Try to raise your eyebrows; Bring your eyebrows together, forming vertical wrinkles; Frown making horizontal wrinkles appear on your forehead; Smile hard, showing your teeth and without showing your teeth; Give a 'yellow smile'; Clench your teeth tightly; pout; put a pen in your mouth and try to draw a drawing on a sheet of paper; bring your lips together as if you want to 'send a kiss'; open your mouth as much as you can; wrinkle your nose, as if he smelled badly; make soap bubbles; inflate air balloons; make faces; try to open his nostrils.
During these exercises, the physiotherapist may use an ice cube wrapped in a napkin sheet to slide over the paralyzed area as a form of stimulus for muscle contraction. To help the person make the contraction, the therapist can help the direction of movement by placing 2 or 3 fingers on the face, which are then removed so that the person can maintain the contraction properly.
See what other forms of treatment are available for Bell's palsy.
How long does recovery take
Complete recovery should take place in approximately 3 to 4 months, and as soon as physical therapy begins, some advances may be noticed. About 15% of people who have this peripheral facial paralysis do not recover completely, and there may be a need to use botox or have surgery months later.
Why exercises help
These exercises will, little by little, strengthen the muscles of the face, and should be started 3 weeks after discovering Bell's palsy, because before that, it is very likely that the person will not be able to perform any type of contraction of the muscles of the face.
These exercises can be performed at home, and help in the recovery of facial paralysis, but the physiotherapist can indicate other exercises that are more suitable, if there are other needs. The number of repetitions must also be indicated by the therapist, according to the need that each person presents, so the treatment is always individualized.
Other physiotherapy techniques
In addition to the exercises, other treatment strategies can also be used, such as the massage performed with the index fingers (on the outside of the cheek) and the thumb (on the inside of the cheek) to make a muscle relax or to stretch the affected muscles.. Before the massage, you can use a warm compress on the affected area for about 10 minutes.
