Facial Paralysis Exercises

Facial paralysis can follow a stroke, brain tumor or disease known as Bell's palsy, which is an inflamed facial nerve. It can last as little as three hours or as long as three days and there is a danger of permanent deformity, so a special exercise regimen has been designed to prevent such damage and help recovering patients.

Massage

• Massage is generally an effective way to begin exercises. Messaging your face in a circular pattern, gently stretching the skin from the mouth toward your ear will help stimulate damaged nerves. Also, rubbing an ice cube, or the back of an electric toothbrush, on your forehead is recommended.

  Attempt to keep the jaw relaxed by gently opening your mouth. Also, place a finger or thumb inside your cheek to massage your cheek muscles.

Silent and Vocal Exercises

• There are certain silent sounds that can be pronounced while exercising your face. Making an "ee" sound while smiling, puckering up your lips as if to make an "ooo" sound as well as placing your tongue behind your bottom teeth, making an "ahh" sound has proven effective.

  Also, reading and speaking while concentrating on sounding out your words, helps the face get used to normal movement again.

When and Where to Exercise

• The recovery process after facial paralysis can be longer for some, and experts suggest patients follow their basic routine as much as two to three times a day. Also, it is advised to concentrate more on doing the exercises correctly than to worry about how many times a day you do them.

  Try exercising in front of a mirror so you can better critique your progress. Especially watch the difference in progress from the left face to the right, and try hard to keep them balanced.