By: Samantha Crisafulli, PT, DPT, Cert. DN
Bells Palsy is a condition that affects the nerves that control the muscles on one side of the face, causing facial paralysis. It affects about 1 in 70 people and affects women and men equally. Symptoms are most common between the ages of 10 and 40 years old. In most cases, the symptoms are temporary and improve after several weeks. However, it can take up to 6 months to fully recover.
Symptoms include drooping on one side of the face, difficulty blinking or closing the eye, or difficulty in talking/moving the mouth. Other symptoms include drooling, pain around the jaw or behind the affected side ear, increased sensitivity to sound on the affected side, headaches and loss of taste. Medical attention is required immediately due to the possible cause of a stroke. Bells Palsy is not caused by a stroke, but it presents with very similar symptoms.
The exact cause of Bell's Palsy is unknown; however, it is often related to having a viral infection. Typically, individuals at risk include women who are pregnant, individuals with an upper respiratory infection, diabetics, individuals with high blood pressure and obese/overweight individuals.
Treatment for Bells Palsy includes Corticosteroids, to reduce swelling of the facial nerve, antiviral drugs, however, the effects of antiviral drugs are still unknown, physical therapy and surgery. With a referral from your MD, physical therapists will perform an extensive examination looking at symmetry between the facial muscles. Treatment would consist of soft tissue mobilization, therapeutic modalities and therapeutic exercises, consisting of exercises for the nose, cheeks, mouth and eyes, all with the goal of restoring full function of the facial muscles that will allow you to eat, swallow, talk, drink and sleep with no compensation.
At Professional Rehabilitation Services, we treat a wide variety of musculoskeletal and neurological conditions using the latest in evidence-based therapies provided by highly credentialed physical therapists. Professional Rehabilitation Services has eight convenient locations in Pawleys Island, Murrells Inlet, Surfside Beach, Market Common, Myrtle Beach, Carolina Forest, Conway, and Little River. For further information on this or other related topics you can contact Richard DeFalco, DPT, OCS, CSCS, CWcHP at Professional Rehabilitation Services (Myrtle Beach) (843) 839-1300, Brian P. Kinmartin PT, DPT, MTC, STC, OCS, CWcHP (Pawleys Island) (843) 235-0200, Richard A. Owens, MPT, OCS, Cert. SMT, CWcHP (Surfside) (843) 831-0163, Jill P. Phelan, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Conway) (843) 773-3031, Lisa O'Brien, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Murrells Inlet) (843) 314-3224, Brandon Stanley, PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Little River) (843) 281-4222, Samantha Crisafulli PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Carolina Forest) (843) 282-0440, Zach Daniels PT, DPT, Cert. DN (Market Commons) (843) 213-6338, and our longs office (843) 491-0388 or visit our website at www.prsrehabservices.com where you can learn more about the company and even download a referral form for your physician to fill out. You can also call and schedule a free 15-minute consultation.
