Physical Therapy for Bell’s Palsy

How Physical Therapy Helps in Bell’s Palsy Recovery

Physical therapy can be a great way to get your body working as it should again after Bell's Palsy and it keeps you from relying too much on medications. It can help you overcome the pain and regain your ability to talk and eat on your own.

While there isn’t a cure for Bell’s palsy, physical therapy can help reduce the pain and swelling of the facial muscles, which will aid in your overall recovery.

Treatment for Bell's Palsy

Your physician may prescribe corticosteroids and antiviral medications to manage Bell’s Palsy.

Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that can reduce the swelling in your facial nerves. Antiviral drugs, on the other hand, treat the triggers of Bell’s Palsy that are linked to causes of the condition.

Bell's Palsy is usually temporary, and patients recover faster with the help of physical therapy. As patients begin physical therapy for Bell's palsy, they are introduced to therapeutic exercises for the affected area.

These exercises will help patients regain use of the muscles that control their faces and ease pain and inflammation.

While physical therapy can help Bell's Palsy patients, it's important to consult a doctor before beginning this treatment.

Patients should not attempt to self-diagnose or self-treat Bell's Palsy. Working with a therapist is the best way to ensure treatment is done properly.

Basic Exercises For Bell’s Palsy

If you are diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, you’re probably looking for more information on how to get started with a treatment plan. Here, you’ll find a range of exercises to help with your recovery.

Please be advised that it is important to consult with your doctor before beginning any sort of treatment program. Exercises for Bell’s palsy can help with the improvement of your condition but it is advisable that you do them with supervision from your therapist.

Exercise to Help With Facial Stimulation

1. Try moving your face slowly. You can also support the affected side with your hands to make the movement easier.
2. Lift your eyebrows together. You may use your fingers to slowly raise the eyebrow on the affected area.
3. Start massaging every part of your face gently to relieve pain and spasm.

Exercise Nose and Cheeks

1. Try to wrinkle your nose slowly and repeat it to make movements on the affected nose area.
2. Inhale air through your mouth until cheeks puffed up then exhale the air out.

Exercise the Mouth

1. Repeat smiling widely and then frown.
2. Alternately, lift the corners of your mouth using your fingers.
3. Open your mouth widely and stick out your tongue. Repeat it several times.

Exercise the Eyes

1. Open your eyes one at a time then gently shut them down. Repeat it several times.
2. Raise your eyebrows simultaneously and then down.

Home Remedies for Bell’s Palsy

Home care for patients with Bell’s Palsy is crucial to their recovery and management of the pain.

Eyecare

Since you can’t control your facial muscles, you may have difficulty closing one of your eyes. Infection and dryness can result from leaving your eyes open.

Make sure to wear protective eyewear such as eyeglasses or an eye patch to prevent injury. Also, use prescribed eye drops to help lubricate your eyes.

Anti-inflammatory and Pain Relieving Drugs

Your doctor may prescribe medications to manage the pain. Pain relievers may include ibuprofen, aspirin, or acetaminophen.

Regular Facial Exercises

As recommended by your physical therapist, you need to do your part by keeping up with the prescribed exercises to maintain the progress of your recovery.

What is Bell's Palsy?

Bell's Palsy is a condition that can affect the nerves that control the muscles on one side of your face, causing facial paralysis.

The condition comes with symptoms like drooping on one side of the face, difficulty in blinking or closing the eye, or difficulty in talking or moving your mouth.

While the condition is not as severe as a stroke, it can cause problems with your appearance as well as your ability to make facial movements. In severe cases, the condition can lead to a loss of hearing as well.

In order to fully recover from the condition, you need to be able to work on your facial muscles. To start this process, you'll need to seek immediate care from your physician and physical therapist, who will help you regain movement and control of your facial muscles.

What Causes Bell's Palsy?

Bell’s Palsy is caused when there is damage to the seventh cranial nerve (facial nerve) that is responsible for the voluntary facial movement.

The damage is still unknown but medical professionals have cases wherein viral and bacterial infections including other health conditions can be triggers to Bell’s Palsy.

Possible triggers for Bell’s Palsy include:

• Cold Sores
• Respiratory infections
• Shingles
• Chickenpox
• Influenza
• Measles
• Foot and Mouth disease

Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy

Symptoms of Bell’s Palsy may develop in cases from mild to severe. People who manifest the following symptoms must seek immediate medical attention for early diagnosis and treatment.

• Facial droop (the most noticeable sign)
• Ear pain and sensitivity to loud noises
• Trouble chewing or swallowing
• Loss of taste
• Drooling

Diagnosis for Bell's Palsy

Physical examination from your physician is done to check other possible causes of facial weakness, such as nervous system disorders or trauma.

There are no laboratory tests specialized to diagnose Bell’s Palsy. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Computerized Tomography (CT) scan tests are performed for a thorough assessment of suspected nerve damage.

Are You Currently Suffering From Bell’s Palsy? Schedule an appointment with us!

If you have Bell's Palsy and are looking for a physical therapy center in Tampa, contact us at (813) 443-5370 or visit www.palmwellness.center for more information.