8 Facial Exercises for Bell's Palsy Rehabilitation and Recovery

Facial Weakness and Bell’s Palsy

Bell’s palsy is a sudden weakness or paralysis of one side of the face caused by dysfunction of the facial nerve. Its exact cause is often unknown, although inflammation possibly related to viral reactivation is suspected. Symptoms may include a drooping mouth, difficulty fully closing one eye, altered facial expression, and leakage of liquids from the corner of the mouth. Sudden facial weakness requires prompt medical assessment to confirm the diagnosis and exclude other causes such as stroke.

Rehabilitation may include the following when selected for the individual:

- Electrical stimulation is not a routine home treatment. Evidence remains uncertain, and it should be considered only after specialist assessment with appropriate equipment and parameters.

- Gentle, individualized facial movement retraining or facial exercise may be used under guidance. Forceful or repetitive over-exercising may worsen abnormal linked movements in some people.

- A comfortably warm, not hot, compress may be used for comfort if the skin has normal sensation, but it has not been proven to restore facial-nerve function.

This video introduces facial exercises for educational purposes. Do not begin a general exercise program without an assessment, especially when the weakness is new, complete, worsening, or accompanied by other neurological symptoms.