Physiotherapy for facial paralysis
Bell's palsy is a paralysis or weakness of the muscles on one side of face characterised by drooping of face, deviation of angle of mouth, difficulty in eating, drinking, whistling, speaking. It is due to the damage to the facial nerve that controls those muscles. In typical case, smile is one sided, eye on the affected side resists closing and may cause headache, pain in the neck, ear of affected side. The cause is unknown in most cases and can occur at any age. Fifty percent patients recover within seven to ninety days. However, physiotherapy treatment can be of benefit to speed recovery. Special type of therapeutic exercise for facial muscle should be performed in front of large mirror. The procedure may include facial exercises to activate weak facial muscles, facial massage and use of electrical facial stimulation in longer term cases. Those whose paralysis persist beyond three months, it is very difficult for him/her to run a business or perform work that demands interpersonal communication. Tropic electrical stimulation is therefore of enormous value to these people.
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