5 easy to do home exercises for bell’s palsy

bell’s palsy is face exercises

Imagine waking up one morning unable to blink or purse your lips—it’s a frightening experience. Unfortunately, around 23 out of every 100,000 people aged 15-60 might suddenly face this situation. Bell’s palsy is a type of facial paralysis that weakens the muscles on one side of your face. This condition primarily stems from significant damage to the facial nerve, which controls the muscles on the affected side. Common symptoms include numbness and weakness on one side of the face, drooling, difficulty closing the eye on the affected side, pain around or behind the ear, increased sensitivity to sound, loss of taste, and eye problems. Regularly performing certain exercises can help alleviate the discomfort associated with this type of facial paralysis. Continue reading to learn more.

what are bell’s palsy exercises?

Bell’s Palsy exercises are highly effective for improving facial muscle function and reducing discomfort. Performing these exercises daily can prevent further atrophy of facial muscles and enhance movement in areas like the face, eyes, nose, and lips. The best part is that you can do these exercises at home. If you’re seeking effective Bell’s palsy exercises, we’ve got you covered. Below is a list of exercises designed to help alleviate the discomfort associated with Bell’s palsy.

effective facial exercises for bell palsy’s to do at home regularly

While performing various facial exercises for Bell’s Palsy, sit in front of the mirror.

1. Eyebrow Exercises

• Look in the mirror, raise your eyebrows, and hold them in the raised state for 10 -15 seconds. Continue holding your eyebrow in the raised state till the corner of your mouth or cheek begins to move. Wrinkle your forehead.
• Place your four fingertips on your affected eyebrow, and rub by making a firm stroke with your fingertips up to the hairline.
• Make a frowning face and try to draw your eyebrows down.

2. Lip Exercises

• Curl your upper lip up. Then raise it and try to protrude your upper lip.
• Close and lightly compress both your lips just as the kid in the picture above. Then, release them and again lightly compress both the lips. Try to maintain the lip compression till your eyelid begins to move. During this exercise, focus on relaxing the muscles that surround your eyes. Initially, your eye movements might occur. Following this regularly, you will be able to perform these lip movements without involving your eye.
• Pucker your both the lips and maintain lip compression for some time.
• Snarl by stretching both your lips.
• Now smile. While smiling focus on your smile till your eyelid is not involved. Watch your eye and lower eyelid. Also, watch your neck muscle and try not to pop it out while you are smiling.
• First smile without showing your teeth up and then smile by showing your teeth.
• Speaking activities also help improve lip movements. Practice speaking words that involve letters B, M, F, and P slowly and softly, and repeat them by looking in the mirror continuously. Maintain our eyelids open while you are speaking.
• Puff your cheeks out with air in them. Now, hold your air-puffed lips shut ensuring that no air escapes out. Hold your puffed cheeks for 3 to 5 seconds.

3. Nose Exercises

• Wrinkle up your nose.
• Sniffle
• Have a deep breath through your nostrils and try to flare your nostrils.

4. Eye Exercises

• Compress your eyes making them narrow as if you are trying to look at the sun. Close your eye gently as the kid in the picture above.
• Look down. Keep your neck straight and without bending it look down, this helps in exercising your eye and eyelids.
• Place the back of your index finger on your closed eyelid and use the opposite hand along your eyebrow in order to stretch your eyebrow upwards. This exercise helps your affected eyelid to relax and prevent it from becoming too stiff.
• Gently press your eyelids together.
• Wink your one eye gently and then the other. Make sure you do not push it.
• Wide open your eyes without involving the movement of your eyebrow. Stop widening your eyes if you experience any inappropriate muscle movement.

5. Neck and Chin Exercises

• Tilt your head to one side and slightly backwards, then hold it for ten seconds and slowly get back to normal. Follow the same on the other side. This neck exercise stretches your neck muscle and improves its flexibility.
• Wrinkle or harden your chin
• Like a boxer, stick out your chin

causes for paralysis of the left side of the body

Physiotherapy plays a crucial role in the management and recovery from Bell’s Palsy by targeting the rehabilitation of facial muscles affected by the condition. The primary objectives of physiotherapy in Bell’s Palsy include:

1. Muscle Strengthening: Physiotherapists design specific exercises to strengthen the weakened facial muscles, improving their function and endurance. This can help reduce muscle atrophy and promote more effective facial movements.
2. Improving Facial Symmetry: Through targeted exercises, physiotherapy aims to restore symmetry in facial expressions. This involves practicing movements to balance the muscle activity on both sides of the face.
3. Enhancing Coordination: Physiotherapists help patients regain better control and coordination of facial muscles, which can be disrupted by Bell’s Palsy. This includes exercises to improve fine motor skills and facial expressions.
4. Preventing Complications: Regular physiotherapy helps prevent secondary complications such as muscle contractures, joint stiffness, and facial pain. By keeping the muscles active and flexible, the risk of these issues is minimized.

benefits of doing bell’s palsy exercises at home

• Convenience: You can perform exercises at any time that fits your schedule without needing to travel to a clinic or therapy center.
• Cost-Effective: Exercising at home eliminates the need for ongoing costs associated with professional therapy sessions.
• Privacy: Exercising at home provides a private setting where you may feel more comfortable performing the exercises and addressing your condition.
• Consistency: Regular, daily practice at home helps maintain and improve muscle function and facial movement, which is crucial for recovery.
• Customized Routine: You can tailor the exercises to your specific needs and progress, allowing for adjustments based on how you feel and what works best for you.

care tips:

While performing these exercises at home, to mitigate your discomfort resulting due to Bell’s palsy, you also need to take some proper care. Make sure you follow these care tips.

• Try chewing your food by involving both the sides of your mouth. Doing so helps you retain normal patterns when you get your normal movements back.
• Make sure you do not chew the gums as chewing the gums exercises your wrong muscles and may also make you suffer from synkinesis.

Want to know more about Physiotherapy exercises for Bell’s Palsy? Use Portea chat and book online video consultation with a physiotherapy doctor for more details.

faq’s

what are the management and treatment for bell’s palsy:

Management and Treatment for Bell’s Palsy:

1. Medications: Corticosteroids reduce inflammation and swelling; analgesics manage pain.
2. Physical Therapy: Facial exercises help restore muscle function and prevent atrophy.
3. Facial Massage: Eases muscle stiffness and improves circulation.
4. Eye Care: Use lubricating drops and possibly an eye patch to protect the eye.
5. Heat Therapy: Apply warm compresses to reduce discomfort and improve blood flow.
6. Supportive Measures: Counseling can help manage emotional stress.
7. Surgical Intervention: Considered in rare cases if symptoms persist.
8. Lifestyle Adjustments: Maintain overall health, avoid cold drafts, and practice good facial hygiene.

how often should i perform bell’s palsy exercises?

It’s generally recommended to perform Bell’s Palsy exercises 2-3 times daily for the best results, but always follow your healthcare provider’s advice on frequency.

how long does it take to see results from these exercises? 

Results vary; some individuals may see improvement within a few weeks, while others might take several months. Consistency and patience are key.

what if i experience pain while doing the exercises?

Mild discomfort is normal, but sharp pain or significant discomfort may indicate improper technique or an underlying issue. Stop and consult your healthcare provider if pain persists.

can these exercises cure bell’s palsy?

While exercises can improve muscle function and reduce symptoms, they are part of a broader treatment plan. Bell’s Palsy often improves on its own with time, but exercises help speed up recovery and prevent complications.

Author

Manjiri Kochrekar

Manjiri loves to explore various facts, ideas, and aspects of life and pen them down in her own words. Writing is her passion, which means she enjoys writing on a vast variety of subjects, and health care is just one among her several specialty areas. She works closely with the Portea Health care team to churn out informative health content.