Facial palsy, also called Bell's palsy or facial nerve palsy, is a condition that causes muscle weakness or paralysis on the face, affecting one or both sides of the face. This disease mainly results from temporary or permanent damage to the facial nerve and can affect anyone at any age, but is most common in people aged 15-45.
Affecting up to 40,000 people every year in India alone, facial paralysis is more likely to develop in pregnant women, people with diabetes, those with viral infections, and individuals aged 15-60, especially if there's a family history. Although this neurological condition can be alarming, most cases are temporary, and people often make a full recovery over time.
This disease begins suddenly and worsens within 48 hours. However, it can be cured very quickly with medication, therapy and exercise — no surgery needed, though there are surgical options as well.
In this blog, we will see whether or not facial exercises for facial paralysis actually work and look at 8 different exercises one may try from the comfort of their bed. Additionally, we have also shared other treatment options in case exercise does not work for you.
Table of Contents
- Can Facial Exercises Help With Facial Paralysis?
- What Exercises Are Good For Facial Nerve Recovery? 8 Simple Facial Exercises For Facial Palsy Recovery
- Other Ways To Improve Facial Paralysis — Nonsurgical & Surgical
- Expert’s Advice
- The Final Say
- FAQs
- References
Can Facial Exercises Help With Facial Paralysis?
Yes, facial exercises can help with facial paralysis.
In fact, facial exercises often play a vital role in the recovery of facial paralysis by gradually restoring communication from the brain to the nerves and muscles, helping improve the ability to perform various facial movements.
Facial exercises help restore muscle strength, coordination and facial symmetry. These facial exercises (the ones we’ve shared below) focus on stimulating and strengthening the muscles around the affected area, which can gradually improve facial paralysis. For optimal recovery, one should do it around 3-4 times a day.
Also Read: 5 Targeted Exercises For Meralgia Paresthetica: Treatment Options And Insights
What Exercises Are Good For Facial Nerve Recovery? 8 Simple Facial Exercises For Facial Palsy Recovery
Facial Paralysis exercises help build strength and improve facial muscle coordination. Here is a list of the top eight facial exercises for facial paralysis that you can do in the comfort of your own home, even on your bed:
1. Eyebrow Exercise
The aim of this exercise is to strengthen the movement in the most immobile eyebrows.
- Try raising your eyebrows.
- Now, gently try to lift one vertical side of the eyebrow with your fingers and stimulate the movement up and down. Don't force it, though.
Also Read: What Is Occipital Neuralgia? Know The Symptoms, Causes, Home Remedies & Treatments
2. Eye Exercise
The aim of this exercise is to reduce the stiffness of the eye muscles.
- Look down.
- Now close the affected eye and spread its eyebrows with your fingers.
- Rub your eyelids while spreading your eyebrows.
- Squinting also helps if movement of the eyelids is difficult.
3. Nose & Cheek Exercises
The aim of this exercise is to restore mobility in the area of the nose and cheeks in the face.
- Try to stimulate the movement of the nose and cheeks by frowning.
- Also, use your fingers to imitate facial movements in the affected area.
Also Read: 7 Powerful Exercises For Drop Foot Correction
4. Nose Exercise
The aim of this exercise is to restore mobility and flexibility in the muscles around the nose.
- Gently try to wrinkle the nose by bringing the nostrils toward each other.
- Hold for a few seconds, then relax.
5. Mouth Exercise
The aim of this exercise is to increase the flexibility of the muscles in the mouth area.
- Try smiling with your lips closed.
- Use your fingers to ensure that both outer edges of the mouth remain in the same relative position.
- Remove your fingers and try to hold on to that smile as long as you can.
6. Say "AEIOU"
This simple face exercise helps improve the flexibility and strength of the muscles around your mouth and face.
- Tilt your head back slightly and face the ceiling.
- Start by clearly pronouncing each vowel sound—A, E, I, O, U—while keeping your face relaxed.
- As you pronounce each vowel, focus on the movement in your mouth, jaw, and facial muscles.
7. Bulldog Bite
This particular exercise, the bulldog bite, may look silly, but this exercise works muscles in your neck and chin that you don't need as often.
- Pull your lower jaw forward.
- Tilt your head back slightly and face the ceiling.
- Hold the position for a second or two.
- Lower your head down to the resting position and repeat 10-30 times.
Also Read: 5 Safe Exercises For Herniated Disc To Give You Pain Relief And Strengthen Your Back
8. Stick Your Tongue Out
This helps improve the coordination and strength of the muscles around your mouth and jaw.
- Sit or stand with a relaxed posture.
- Stick your tongue out as far as you comfortably can.
- Hold your tongue out for 5 seconds, then gently relax.
Other Ways To Improve Facial Paralysis — Nonsurgical & Surgical
How to regain muscle function in the face? Suppose facial exercises don’t work for you, or you want to add more treatment to improve your facial paralysis quicker. In that case, you can try some other nonsurgical and surgical with effective treatments. Keep in mind that the underlying cause of facial paralysis will be important while choosing a treatment:
- If you develop facial paralysis as a result of a stroke, your healthcare provider will focus on treating the stroke.
- If facial paralysis is the result of a tumour, your provider will discuss options for removing the tumour.
- If Bell's palsy is the cause, your provider may prescribe medication and recommend facial strengthening exercises.
Nonsurgical treatment may include :
- Corticosteroids: Reduces inflammation and swelling of the facial nerve.
- Antivirals: Fights possible infection.
- Botox injections: Treats synkinesis — a secondary condition that results in involuntary muscle movements.
- Physical therapy: Improves facial symmetry, increases muscle strength and restores facial coordination.
- Speech therapy: Helps you regain your speech and swallowing function.
- Occupational therapy: Helps you improve functions such as facial expressions and interpersonal communication.
Surgical treatment may include:
- Eyelid surgery: Helps improve eyelid function by supporting the eye and enhancing the efficiency of blinking,
- Reanimation surgery: Reanimation surgery involves procedures like nerve transfer, tendon transfer, or muscle transplantation to restore facial movement and symmetry in cases of severe facial paralysis.
- Surgery to remove the tumour: If facial paralysis is the result of a tumour, a surgeon may perform invasive surgery to remove it and relieve pressure on your facial nerve.
- Cosmetic surgery: Cosmetic surgery for facial paralysis focuses on restoring facial symmetry and improving appearance through procedures like brow lifts, facelifts, or eyelid surgery.
Expert’s Advice
Facial exercises increase muscle strength in the face and help you regain facial coordination from facial paralysis. I encourage you to remember that exercise should be done gently and regularly, three or four times a day in short sessions, to reap the benefits.
Health Expert
Lavina Chauhan
The Final Say
Facial paralysis can be a very devastating and depressing condition for the patient because its location is on the most visible part of the body. However, it’s important to remember that it’s often temporary and fully reversible. You can improve this condition by doing regular facial exercises, as shared above. This would help strengthen your facial muscles and help a speedy recovery.
FAQs
1. What if I get pain during facial exercise?
Mild discomfort is normal, but sharp pain or significant discomfort may indicate improper technique or an underlying problem. If pain persists, stop and consult your healthcare provider.
2. How often should I do facial palsy exercises?
Facial palsy exercises should typically be done 2-3 times a day or as recommended by your healthcare provider.
3. How long does it take to see results from facial exercises?
Results from facial exercises can vary, with some people noticing improvement within a few weeks while others may take several months.
References
- https://www.goodrx.com/health-topic/neurological/exercises-for-bells-palsy
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/24525-facial-paralysis#care-and-treatment
- https://plexusnc.com/easy-facial-exercises-for-bells-palsy/
- https://www.portea.com/physiotherapy/5-easy-to-do-home-exercises-for-bells-palsy/
- https://www.spinalcord.com/blog/move-what-you-got-face-exercises-for-quadriplegics
- https://primerehab.com/facial-paralysis-massage-exercise/
- https://www.physiotattva.com/blog/bells-palsy-diagnosis-exercises-and-treatment
- https://www.lybrate.com/topic/facial-paralysis-how-can-physiotherapy-help-you-get-better/1400976396049a39e6a96f6926eff7f8
- https://navbharattimes.indiatimes.com/lifestyle/health/facial-exercises-to-treat-facial-paralysis-and-face-muscles/articleshow/111164286.cms
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