Curezone Physiotherapy, Mississauga collaborates with a team of providers such as Physiotherapist, Massage therapist, Chiropractor, Osteopath providing treatments in various neuromuscular conditions including Bell’s palsy. It is an acute disorder of the facial nerve, which produces full or partial loss of movement on one side of the face. The facial palsy gets completely better without treatment in most, but not all, people. It is a paralysis and/or weakness on one side of your face that can cause visible drooping of your facial features especially due to a virus affecting the facial nerve. Most patients will have complete recovery, usually within 3 to 6 months. But about 20 per cent of patients will have persistent weakness. You might lose the ability of facial expressions like blink, furrow your brow, raise your eyebrows or frown, eating, drinking and speaking, as well as with facial expressions such as smiling. The psychological effects are also significant.
Bell’s palsy symptoms can also include:
- Uncontrollable tearing in one eye
- Loss of taste
- Facial twitching
- Drooling
- Pain in or behind your ear and jaw
- Numbness on one side of your face
- Increased sensitivity to sound
- Ringing in one or both ears
- Headache
- Impaired speech
- Dizziness
Causes of Bell’s Palsy
Bell’s palsy happens when the nerve that controls your facial muscles becomes swollen, inflamed, or compressed.
While the exact cause of Bell’s palsy isn’t known, some scientists believe that viral meningitis or herpes simplex (cold sore virus) could cause it. Bell’s palsy has also been associated with the flu virus, chronic ear infections, hypertension (high blood pressure), trauma, as well as chronic conditions like diabetes.
Physiotherapy Treatment for Bell’s palsy at Curezone Physiotherapy Clinic
For many people, the symptoms of Bell’s palsy take up to 48-hours to reach their peak and up to 6-months to go away without any medical treatment. But, for other people, symptoms can become permanent or semi-permanent, this happens when the paralyzed face muscles shrink and shorten. The patients should seek medical attention to ensure appropriate diagnosis and medical management (like medication and proper eye care).
Curezone physiotherapy clinic, Mississauga location can help your Facial muscles improve using education, and mixed manual therapy techniques. Facial exercises are inappropriate at first, as the facial nerve needs time to heal. Forceful facial movements have little effect other than to exercise the uninvolved side. Later, they may be harmful as they can reinforce improper movement.
Our registered physiotherapist at Curezone Physiotherapy is qualified physiotherapist for treating Bell’s palsy and evaluates the patient’s recovery and works with the patient to develop an individualized treatment plan which can help manage Bell’s palsy with techniques like:
- Massage
- Neuromuscular facilitation
- Facial exercises
- Acupuncture
- Dry needling
- Biofeedback
- Laser therapy
- TENS or Nerve stimulation also called as electrotherapy are used to fasten recovery, improve facial function.
- Patient education. And self-management
- Manual Therapy
Our registered physiotherapist will help to provide patient’s knowledge about their disease, help patient to make informed choices, encourage self management, empower patient, and improve self-confidence. The physiotherapist will also use a means of manual therapy to help with the recovery for the patient. Education is made available in different languages to suit the local population. Our physiotherapists are fluent in 4 languages to explain and educate patient properly.
Facial exercises associated with mirror and/or EMG biofeedback as treatment. The grade of facial recovery was assessed by the facial disability scale (FDI) and the House–Brackmann scale (HBS).
Treating Bell’s Palsy at Home
In between physiotherapy appointments you can help ease symptoms of Bell’s palsy at home.
Using moist heat or even a warm washcloth several times a day can relieve pain and improve circulation. You can also prevent muscle waste, ease pain, and maintain your facial tone by using electrical stimulation at home with a TENS unit. Your physiotherapist can show you how best to use these home remedies and individualized exercises as part of your treatment plan.
Our goal is to relieve your pain, minimize the stiffness and Restore normal function and mobility as soon as possible.
Experiencing Bell’s palsy Symptoms? Book an Assessment with a Physiotherapist
If you are experiencing Bell’s palsy symptoms, seek an assessment from a qualified physiotherapist near you.
Make sure you book your appointment today and get assessed by our physiotherapist now.
