Bell’s Palsy

Bell’s Palsy is a condition that presents with paralysis or weakness on one side of the face.

It is caused by inflammation of the facial nerve that supplies the muscles of the face, commonly after a viral infection. Compromise of this nerve leads to facial weakness/paralysis.

People with Bell’s Palsy usually recover some or all facial function within a few weeks.

Risk Factors of Bell’s Palsy

• Upper respiratory infections
• An existing dormant viral infection such as Chicken pox or Herpes Simplex
• Hypertension
• Physical trauma
• Autoimmune syndromes.
• Impaired immunity due to stress, minor illness or sleep deprivation.

Signs and Symptoms

• Loss of control of muscles on one side of the face.
• Drooping of face towards one side
• Trouble making facial expressions such as smiling, raising eyebrows, squinting
• Difficulty to shut one eyelid which causes eye dryness.
• Loss of feeling on one side of the face
• Drooling from one side of the mouth
• Loss of taste
   

Physiotherapy Interventions

The goal of physiotherapy is to restore muscle function on the affected side of the face.

Physiotherapy treatment will comprise of:

• Facial massage for the affected side to improve blood flow to muscles.
• Electrical stimulation of the affected facial nerve.
• Neuromuscular training

This involves retraining muscles responsible for certain facial expressions e.g smiling, blinking, raising eyebrows

• Mirror feedback

The patient performs voluntary facial movements while looking at a mirror. This helps with muscle activity re-education.

• Facial exercises to enhance coordination between both sides of the face.