Do you need therapy for Bell's Palsy?

Answer 1

Bell's palsy is most often a temporary condition when inflammation puts pressure on cranial nerve number 7. It is usually from a viral infection and resolves itself after a few weeks or months. Rarely, is it permanent, and massage may be helpful to keep the facial muscles in good tone for when they regain function.

=== === If someone has Bell's palsy they might benefit from a few acupuncture treatments as well, depending on the cause. Or, it might just resolve itself on it's own.

Answer 2

Yes, although it is most likely not going to do much. Your body needs time to fight off the cause of the palsy, which is inflammation of the cranial nerve, VII. Massaging the affected area won't cure the condition, because that does nothing to eliminate the inflammation of the VII nerve. The only thing that will eliminate the palsy is elimination of the inflammation. It doesn't hurt, though.

Massaging the facial muscles that are paralyzed is a good thing to do, even if it will do nothing to cure the condition. Massaging helps keep the paralyzed facial muscles from becoming atrophied and drooping. Some physicians will prescribe physical therapy in this form to prevent atrophy while the VII nerve recovers from the inflammation.

Answer 3

Not only do you not need physical therapy for Bell's Palsy itself, but it probably wouldn't do any good at all. On the other hand, facial Massage Therapy is sometimes prescribed in order to work the paralyzed muscles so that they do not atrophy while they are not usable.