7 Facial Exercises to Reduce the Effects of Bell’s Palsy

Surprised to learn that physical therapy can be used to treat Bell’s palsy? You’re not alone! Before we explain how facial exercises can improve the lives of those with Bell’s palsy, it may help you to understand what the condition actually is and how it happens in the first place. Otherwise, you may find yourself scratching your head wondering why physical therapy treatments are so effective at getting rid of Bell’s palsy symptoms in many people who use them regularly.

1) Open your mouth wide 

Open your mouth as wide as you can and hold for 10 seconds. This will stretch the facial muscles and reduce the effects of Bell's palsy. Repeat this exercise 10 times per day. Hold this position for 15 seconds while breathing deeply through your nose. This will stretch the muscles in your neck and throat, which may have been affected by Bell's palsy. Repeat this exercise 10 times per day. Place a spoon under your tongue so that it rests between your lips, then push down on the spoon with an open mouth until you feel a stretch or pull on the back of your neck or throat muscles.

2) Stretch open your eyes

If you have Bell's palsy, you might be feeling frustrated or depressed. The condition causes a significant amount of facial paralysis which can make it difficult to smile, blink, and hold your mouth in a natural position. Fortunately there are some exercises that may help restore muscle tone and strength. Try these facial exercises: 

1) Gently open and close your eyes while stretching the top lids outwards. Repeat 20 times each morning and evening.

 2) Hold your lips in an exaggerated smile for 10 seconds each morning and evening. 

3) Raise your eyebrows as if you were surprised for 10 seconds each morning and evening. 

4) Close your eyes then gently push them back open as far as they will go for 5 seconds each morning and evening.

3) Move your eyebrows up and down

1. Raise your eyebrows as high as you can, then slowly release. Do this ten times. 

2. Draw an X with a pencil in the center of your forehead and follow the lines up to your hairline on either side. Repeat ten times each way. 

3. Hold a pencil between your lips and pull it outward from both corners of your mouth with even pressure for five seconds, then repeat five times in one direction and then five times in the other direction for a total of twenty repetitions per side before switching sides.

4) Move  out your tongue as far as you can 

1. Stick out your tongue as far as possible and try not to drool. 

2. Move your tongue in a circular motion around its base, making sure it touches the floor of your mouth on each rotation. 

3. Keeping your tongue stuck out, move it up and down against the roof of your mouth while trying not to gag or drool. 

4. Press into the space between your top lip and gum with your tongue, using light pressure for 30 seconds at a time with a break between reps. 

5. Open and close both lips repeatedly for five seconds then try stopping suddenly for five seconds before repeating again for 10 reps total per session (you can do this exercise in sets of two if you want).

5) Raise your eyebrows in surprise

Bell's palsy is caused by injury to a nerve that controls facial muscles. When this happens, one side of your face becomes droopy and paralyzed. Facial exercises can help strengthen the muscles in your face and lessen some of the paralysis caused by Bell's palsy. The following exercises are designed for individuals who have been diagnosed with unilateral (one-sided) Bell's palsy. They should be done every day for 20-30 minutes at a time: 

1) Smile as wide as possible, then relax your face and repeat 

2) Raise your eyebrows and hold it for 10 seconds and the release  

3) Twist your mouth from side to side while pulling it up into a smile

6) Suck in your cheeks

Sucking in your cheeks is one way to prevent or reduce some of the negative effects of Bell's palsy. This exercise can help stimulate facial muscles, which may have been weakened by the condition. In addition, this exercise can help avoid drooling and improve lip function. To do this exercise: 

1) Open your mouth as wide as possible.

 2) Close your mouth and suck in your cheeks with a high-pitched sound for about 10 seconds.

 3) Breathe out through pursed lips for about 10 seconds, then repeat steps 1 & 2 for another 10 seconds.

 4) Repeat step 3 three times per session.

This exercises should be done at least three times per session, and should be performed multiple times throughout each day as well if possible.

7) Smile as widely as you can

- Smile as widely as you can, keeping your lips together and looking straight ahead. Hold for six seconds and repeat 15 times. 

- Repeat this exercise while puckering your lips like you're blowing out a candle. This will work your cheek muscles too! 

- Open your mouth wide and smile with your teeth showing, then try to make a frown without lifting your eyebrows or furrowing your forehead. Do this 10 times each way. 

- Close one eye and turn it down towards the ground while making an upside down U shape with your mouth, then repeat on the other side. Do this 10 times on each side of your face.