Bell’s Palsy is probably caused by a viral infection of the facial nerve which can affect anyone at any time. It often starts after a cold or mild illness.
A recent patient to The Nerve Injury Clinic started with right sided neck, ear and head pain which over a period of 24 hours developed into facial muscle weakness and a facial droop. She was unable to close her eye at all so that it was at risk of damage from drying out or debris landing in it. She was unable to blink to clear the eye. She felt rotten – very tired and unwell. Luckily, she went to the Accident and Emergency Dept at her local hospital who diagnosed a Bell’s Palsy and prescribed her a short course of steroids and anti-viral medication.
She came to see me a few days later and the initial physiotherapy treatment focussed on teaching her to tape her eye shut safely so that the eye was protected. She was also advised on eating, talking and sleeping techniques to help her face cope. She gradually improved over the following 10 weeks and physiotherapy was able to help her regain her facial posture at rest so that her face was straight and symmetrical as well as regaining facial movements for facial expression, most importantly, her beautiful smile. Facial stretches, exercises and support techniques, including taping were very effective in helping her cope with the discomfort of an asymmetrical face as well as the incoordination of movement.
This lady was fully recovered 12 weeks after it started and back to normal. Not everyone is like this-some get better quicker, and some take much longer. However, everyone does improve but to
varying degrees.
I really enjoy treating patients with Bell’s Palsy- both supporting them in the early stages and the hands on physiotherapy that makes such a difference to regaining facial movement as fast as
possible.
Please, if you know someone who has a Bell’s Palsy, tell them to see a specialist physiotherapist, because treatment really helps recovery. Or why not ask them to Contact us here at The Nerve Injury Clinic.
