What is Facial Palsy?
Facial palsy is the paralysis or weakening of facial muscles as a result of damage to the controlling facial nerves. Onset of the condition is usually very quick, often happening overnight with no prior warning signs. The resulting lack of control over the facial muscles on the affected side usually gives the appearance of drooping features and tear or saliva production can be affected too. Eye movement control and any kind of facial movement on the affected side can become very difficult.
What causes Facial Palsy?
The exact mechanism which causes some people to be affected by facial palsy and not others is not fully understood. It is thought a virus, typically Herpes, triggers an inflammatory reaction in the facial nerves. This reaction puts pressure on the nerves that inhibits function or can cause damage to the nerve causing temporary paralysis. Facial palsy can last a few weeks or even several months, depending on the severity of damage done the facial nerve.
In these cases where there is no obvious cause for the facial weakness or paralysis, such as a transient ischemic attack, the condition is usually referred to as Bell's palsy.
What are the symptoms of Facial Palsy?
The severity of facial palsy can vary greatly producing a range of different symptoms. The presentation of the palsy usually comes on rapidly with many people reporting significant alteration occurring overnight. These symptoms may include;
- Rapid onset of weakness or paralysis on one side of your face.
- A drooping of the soft tissues features on one side of your face.
- Altered production of saliva or tears on affected side.
- Numbness on affected side of face making eating and drinking difficult.
- Altered sensation of taste.
- Lack of active control over facial muscles / loss of expression.
- Inability to actively fully close the affected eye, often leading to eye irritation / drying out.
- Increased sensitivity to sound, pain in or around the ear.
Diagnosis of Facial Palsy?
Your GP will normally confirm a diagnosis of facial palsy after a thorough assessment to rule out other possible conditions. They may even request x-rays or refer you to a neuro specialist.
For more information about how physiotherapy can help treat facial palsy, or to book yourself an appointment, please email us at office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or ring us on 0151 558 0077
What would a physiotherapy assessment for Facial Palsy involve?
If you book in with us at Liverpool Physio, our Physiotherapists will seek a comprehensive amount of information about your condition to make sure you receive the correct treatment. Your first appointment would include an assessment which is split into two parts.
A conversation between our physiotherapist and yourself, to discover what may have caused the onset of your symptoms and gain an understanding of the impact these symptoms have had on your lifestyle.
Objective Taking into consideration any current pain, this part of the assessment would look at your available movement, functional control and sensation around the affected side of your face.
What does Physiotherapy treatment for facial palsy involve?
At Liverpool Physio, our specialised physiotherapists are experienced at treating people with facial palsy. Physiotherapy treatment will help you regain your maximum function as soon as possible and provide you with advice and support throughout your rehabilitation. Physiotherapy treatment will be focused on:
- Increasing range of movement
- Increasing control of facial movements
- Improving your facial expressions
- Improving your eye movements
- Enhancing self-esteem
- Returning you to activities such as speaking, eating and closing the eyes as soon as possible.
- Stretching exercises to regain finer eye brow and mouth movements
- Structured exercise program including passive and active movement to enhance muscle function.
- Electrical Stimulation to preserve the bulk of facial muscle and to prevent atrophy
- Activities to improve sensation such as tapping or brushing along the affected muscle tissue to stimulate the motor and sensory nerves.
Above: We offer a variety of treatment techniques to help with on going headaches and tnesion in the head and neck area.For more information about how physiotherapy can help treat facial palsy, or to book yourself an appointment, please email us at office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or ring us on 0151 558 0077.
How can I arrange a physiotherapy assessment for Facial Palsy?
If you have experienced the sudden onset of facial weakness of paralysis you may have facial palsy and should seek medical intervention. Once your doctor has ruled out more serious conditions we will be happy to assess you for treatment with one of our experienced physiotherapist.
You can contact us directly to arrange an assessment and we can advise you if further treatment is recommended, or give you details on self-management for minor cases. To arrange an appointment please email office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or call 0151 558 0077.
Summary
Facial Palsy can have a significant impact on normal interactions of daily life. It can affect your eating, drinking and sleeping habits along with your general levels of comfort. Physiotherapy intervention can assist in maintaining facial muscle tone and flexibility until you have recovered. We can use stimulation therapies to improve the speed and quality of your recovery, getting you back to the best possible functionality, so you can confidently resume normal daily activities.
Our specialist physiotherapists at Liverpool Physio can tailor a treatment plan to your specific needs. We can use a combination of massage, mobilisations, stretching and strengthening exercises to ensure you achieve the best possible return to normal function. Every treatment session will aim at getting you back to the normal daily activities and you enjoy.
For more information about how physiotherapy can help treat facial palsy, or to book yourself an appointment, please email us at office@liverpoolphysio.co.uk or ring us on 0151 558 0077. ↑ Back to top
