How to treat Bell's Palsy with Exercises?
What is Bell's palsy?
Many of us have heard about facial palsy and facial paralysis where one half of the face loses its ability to voluntarily contract or produce facial expression. This kind of facial paralysis happens in pathologies such as brain tumor, stroke, myasthenia gravis, lyme disease or injury to the facial nerve. Bell’s palsy is one of the kind and is mainly caused due to dysfunction of the facial nerve (7th cranial nerve). Bell’s palsy is known for its rapid onset and can even happen overnight. It is mainly noted as unilateral (one side) face paralysis where the lower quadrant of your face (which includes the buccal muscles and the mouth) to stretch on the side resulting in deterioration of the facial musculatures.
Signs and symptoms of Bell's Palsy
Common signs are:
-slur speech due to deteriorated facial muscles
-sometimes drooling of the saliva is noted
-the eyelid on the same side drops
-increased sensitivity on touch, pain, temperature and pressure
-unable to say words ringing with vowels
Have you suffered from Bell's palsy?
Exercises for Bell's Palsy
It has been noted that physical therapy really helps in improving the bell’s palsy symptoms. Modalities such as electrical stimulation to the local musculatures helps in sending the twitching impulses to the brain. Along with modalities it is a must that the pain also perform facial strengthening exercises. I have tried to summarize few of the best facial strengthening exercises below.
1) Isometric Jaw protrusion exercise: Place your fingers on the front of your jaw and draw it forward. Resist with your fingers.
Protocol: Perform: 2 time in a day
Repeat: 15 repetitions
Hold time: 5-10 seconds.
Signs and symptoms of Bell's palsy
-slur speech due to deteriorated facial muscles
-sometimes drooling of the saliva is noted
-the eyelid on the same side drops
-increased sensitivity on touch, pain, temperature and pressure
-unable to say words ringing with vowels
Further exercises for Facial palsy
2) Isometric Jaw lateral deviation : Place your fingers on the side of your jaw and draw it to the side. Resist with your fingers.
Protocol: Perform: 1-2 time in a day
Repeat: 15 repetitions
Hold time: 5-10 seconds.
3) TMJ resisted opening: Standing or seated in front of a mirror (if able). Open jaw slightly keeping correct alignment. Use hand under chin to give mild resistance.
Protocol: Perform: 2 time in a day
Repeat: 15 repetitions
Hold time: 5-10 seconds.
4) TMJ tongue on the roof of mouth: Stand or sit in front of mirror (if able). Open jaw slightly and relax face keeping correct alignment. Press the tip of your tongue on the roof of your mouth.
Protocol: Perform: 2 time in a day
Repeat: 15 repetitions
Hold time: 5-10 seconds.
More Exercises...
Few more exercises are listed in the video beside the text. I just tried to make it less boring.
5) Angry face: Draw your eye brows together as in making an angry face.
Protocol: Perform: 2 time in a day
Repeat: 15 repetitions
Hold time: 5-10 seconds.
6) Frown: Draw the corners of your mouth downward as in making a sad face.
Protocol: Perform: 1-2 time in a day
Repeat: 15 repetitions
Hold time: 5-10 seconds.
7) Raised eyebrow: Draw your eyebrows upward as in surprise.
Protocol: Perform: 1-2 time in a day
Repeat: 15 repetitions
Hold time: 5-10 seconds.
8) Pucker: Draw your lips together firmly as in puckering for a kiss.
Protocol: Perform: 1-2 time in a day
Repeat: 15 repetitions
Hold time: 5-10 seconds.
9) Upper lip elevation: Draw your upper lip upwards as shown.
Protocol: Perform: 1-2 time in a day
Repeat: 15 repetitions
Hold time: 5-10 seconds.
10) TMJ-pop bottle reading for stability: Place a plastic soda bottle lid between your front teeth. Place a book, newspaper magazine in your lap so the head stays slightly down to prevent the pop bottle from falling into your throat if you lose it. Maintain erect posture in your trunk. Read out loud. Make sure you only put light pressure on the lid the whole time. You should be able to make all sounds except "sh", because "sh" requires you to put your front teeth. Will begin with 1 minute. May gradually and slow progress up to three minutes.
Conclusion and summary
All the exercises mentioned above helps in strengthening the facial musculature. Consistently following the protocol helps in improving the bell’s palsy facial deterioration caused by facial nerve paralyses. However, one should always consult the doctor first if you wake up in the morning and see facial dysfunctions. Continue doing the exercises and I bet it will really help if you have been diagnosed of bell’s palsy. If you have any questions please leave a comment below. Thank you!
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