"Facial paralysis" is coming, don't be afraid! Your facial rehabilitation journey is about to begin

On a sunny morning, Xiao Li suddenly found that something was wrong with his face - he couldn't raise his eyebrows on one side, couldn't close his eyes tightly, and even his smile looked weird. This scared him, and he rushed to the hospital. After a series of examinations, the doctor told him that it was "facial paralysis", also known as facial nerve paralysis. Don't worry, today, we will take a journey of facial paralysis rehabilitation to see how to help Xiao Li, and all friends who may encounter the same problem, regain their lost smiles.

1. Understanding facial paralysis: a "small strike" of the facial nerve

Facial paralysis, medically known as facial nerve paralysis, is a symptom of loss of facial expression due to damage to the facial nerve. Imagine that your facial nerve suddenly "goes on strike" and no longer obeys the command of the brain, so your facial muscles start to "go on strike" and cannot make normal facial expressions. Facial paralysis is divided into two categories: central facial paralysis and peripheral facial paralysis. The facial paralysis we often talk about mostly refers to peripheral facial paralysis, which is usually caused by factors such as viral infection, cold stimulation, and excessive fatigue.

Symptoms of facial paralysis may include: inability to raise one eyebrow, inability to close eyes tightly, drooping corners of mouth, shallow nasolabial grooves, etc. These symptoms not only affect appearance, but may also cause a great psychological blow to the patient. After all, who can accept that they suddenly become "expressionless"?

2. Etiology treatment: Grasp the source, two-pronged approach

To treat facial paralysis, we must first find the cause and then prescribe the right medicine.

• Anti-inflammatory and antiviral : If facial paralysis is caused by a viral infection, such as herpes zoster virus, the doctor may prescribe some antiviral drugs to help eliminate the virus. At the same time, in order to reduce the inflammation and edema of the facial nerve, some hormones or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will also be used.

• Surgical intervention : If facial paralysis is caused by physical factors such as tumors that compress the facial nerve, surgery is required to remove the tumor and relieve the compression.

3. Drug treatment: nourishing the facial nerve and helping recovery

In the acute stage of facial paralysis, that is, the first few days of onset, drug treatment is the top priority. Doctors may prescribe some neurotrophic drugs, such as B vitamins, methylcobalamin, etc., to help the facial nerve recover its function. These drugs are like "nutritional meals" for the facial nerve, which can accelerate the repair and regeneration of the nerve.

However, don’t forget that medication is only part of auxiliary treatment. To truly recover, you also need to combine physical therapy and rehabilitation training!

4. Physical therapy: Activate the facial nerve and promote circulation

Physical therapy is one of the important means of rehabilitation for facial paralysis . It includes ultrashort wave, low-frequency electrical stimulation, laser, infrared irradiation and other methods. These treatments are like a "deep massage" for the facial nerve, which can promote local blood circulation, reduce inflammation and edema, and accelerate the recovery of the facial nerve.

• Ultra-short wave and low-frequency electrical stimulation : They can penetrate deep into the area where the facial nerve is located, stimulate the facial nerve with weak electric current, and activate its function.

• Laser and infrared irradiation : They are like warm sunlight, which can penetrate the skin and reach the deep tissue where the facial nerve is located, promoting blood circulation and metabolism.

5. Rehabilitation training: Exercise facial muscles and regain a smile

Rehabilitation training is an indispensable part of facial paralysis rehabilitation. Through a series of targeted facial muscle exercises, it can help restore the facial nerve's ability to control the muscles and make the face "alive" again.

• Eyebrow lifting exercise : The completion of the eyebrow lifting movement mainly relies on the movement of the frontal belly of the occipitofrontalis muscle. You can try to lift the eyebrows on the healthy side and the affected side, hold for a few seconds each time, and then relax. This movement can exercise the frontal muscle and frontal belly, which helps to restore the eyebrow lifting movement function.

• Eye closing exercise : The eye closing function is mainly completed by the movement and contraction of the orbicularis oculi muscle. If the eyes cannot be closed tightly, try to gently massage along the lower orbital margin with the tip of the index finger, and then close the eyes forcefully. This action can exercise the orbicularis oculi muscle and help restore the eyelid closure function.

• Nose lifting exercise : The nose lifting exercise is mainly completed by the movement and contraction of the levator labii superioris and the depressor nasalis muscles. You can try to lift your nose upward, hold it for a few seconds each time, and then relax. This action can exercise the levator labii superioris and the depressor nasalis muscles, and promote the recovery of their motor function.

• Teeth-showing exercise : Teeth-showing exercise is mainly completed by contraction of the zygomatic major and minor muscles, levator anguli oris muscles and zygomatic muscles. You can try to smile with your teeth showing, hold for a few seconds each time, and then relax. This exercise can exercise the zygomatic major and minor muscles, levator anguli oris muscles and zygomatic muscles, and help restore the function of the corners of the mouth.

• Pouting and puffing cheeks : Pouting is mainly done by contracting the orbicularis oris muscle, while puffing cheeks helps restore the motor function of the orbicularis oris and cheek muscles. You can try to contract your lips and pout forward, or puff up your cheeks and hold for a few seconds. These movements can effectively exercise facial muscles.

6. Self-massage: Rehabilitation at home

In addition to the above-mentioned physical therapy and rehabilitation training, you can also do simple self-massage at home. Every day, face the mirror and gently massage the hemiplegic facial muscles with your fingers for 5-10 minutes each time, several times a day. The massage direction is mostly upward and pulling, similar to the facial massage technique done during beauty treatment. This action can promote facial blood circulation and metabolism, and accelerate the recovery of the facial nerve.

7. Life care: details determine success or failure

During the recovery period of facial paralysis, daily care is equally important.

• Reasonable diet : Eat a light diet, eat more vegetables and fruits, avoid spicy, irritating and greasy foods. Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption, avoid drinking coffee, strong tea and other irritating drinks.

• Avoid triggers : Keep warm and avoid being blown by wind and excessive fatigue. When using air conditioners or fans in summer, avoid blowing directly on the face.

• Protect your eyes : If facial paralysis causes incomplete eyelid closure, wear an eye patch or apply eye ointment to protect the exposed cornea and prevent conjunctivitis.

• Psychological counseling : Facial paralysis may cause psychological damage to patients, so psychological counseling is necessary to build self-confidence and regain the joy of life.

8. Regular review: tracking recovery progress

Facial paralysis rehabilitation is a long process and requires regular follow-up to track the progress of recovery. The doctor will adjust the treatment plan based on the results of the follow-up to ensure that the symptoms do not recur. If symptoms such as facial numbness, muscle weakness, crooked corners of the mouth reappear or new abnormalities occur, you should seek medical attention in time.

Conclusion: Facial paralysis is not scary, there are ways to recover

Although facial paralysis makes patients "expressionless" for a while, as long as we find the cause, actively treat, persist in rehabilitation training and take good care of life, we will definitely be able to regain the lost smile. Remember, facial paralysis is not scary, there are ways to recover! Let's embark on this facial rehabilitation journey together!