Facial Exercises for Bell’s Palsy Patients

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Facial Exercises for Bell’s Palsy Victims

I promised my readers, the other day, to give them tips on facial exercises for Bell’s Palsy. But wait for a while. Let me remind you first of the basic premise about Bell’s Palsy. First, that Bell’s Palsy is a kind of temporary nerve paralysis. Second, Bell’s Palsy does not have a definite cure, and finally, that Bell’s Palsy victim must respect the natural body mechanism before attaining full recovery, that means you cannot force the body organ until they are prepared.

Having said clearly let me enumerate the basic facial exercises I observed even up to now. Again, these exercises were based on my personal experiences with Bell’s Palsy. And I benefited a lot. These include: mirror-kiss, lip-stretching, raising the cheek, rapid close and up-down exercise.

These exercises are quite long to explain but let me simplify the job for you.

1. Mirror-kiss Exercise. This is very simple. The immediate indication for Bell’s Palsy is the pulpy mouth. Please consider the picture above. The muscle, either on the upper or lower lip sagged.  In my case, half portion of my mouth from the center to the left was paralyzed for almost 3 months. To spew water or saliva out from the mouth was so disturbing. Because of the sagging  lips, I could not pronounce the letter “F” or speak  the “F” sounding words clearly. To do the mirror-kiss exercise, you should have a mirror, literally, in front of you and make a gesture of kissing the mirror. Of course, as you would observe, it’s difficult to make a pointing mouth figure. Don’t you? Do this by assisting   with your thumb and index fingers to achieve the desired figure.

2. Lip-stretching Exercise. Literally, stretch your lips sidewards. Of course, it will be very inconvenient.  But just like on the above process, do it in front of the mirror. Don’t be ashamed of yourself. Stretch your lips, possibly,  on its own, if not, assist it with your left and right index fingers. The principle behind, you should stretch the muscle and the fine nerves on your lips.

3. Raising the Cheek Exercise. The face muscle drooped heavily. And as you would observe later, as if, there is a kilo of meat weighing down. So it’s quite heavy to raise your cheek. Don’t be upset! Try your best raising both of your cheek muscle in full coordination. Of course, just as the other exercises, it would be very upsetting. Do it by assisting your check with your palm. Do it in up-down manner. The principle behind, move the muscle, as you prepare  it towards gradual recovery.

4. Rapid -Close Exercise. This has concern with your eyelids and eyebrows. Most Bell’s Palsy victims could not close their affected eyes. It’s a burden! Small objects enter into it occasionally. Try your best to move the muscles on the eyelids through rapid closing. Again, if you can’t do it, start gently by assisting the affected area with your finger.

5. Up-Down Exercise. In some instances, the eyebrow could not be moved, as if the victim blinks using only one eyebrow. Assist your eyebrow. Gently raise it using any of the fingers, until it gains strength.

Reminder, exercises must be done regularly, even if you are alone. Don’t be bothered on what people may say upon seeing you do the exercises. Explain to them the principles behind.

Possibly, take pride on your smile. Don’t be ashamed to smile. Show it to them. All of the muscles in the face work when we smile…. Smile now and then… even if you are alone… for exercise sake.

On my next write-up, I will tell the readers on the signs of recovery and healing. When could you say that recuperating process has begun? God Bless You…..!