Bell's palsy

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Most people with Bell's palsy recover fully — with or without treatment. There's no one-size-fits-all treatment for Bell's palsy, but your doctor may suggest medications or physical therapy to help speed your recovery. Surgery is rarely an option for Bell's palsy.

Commonly used medications to treat Bell's palsy include:

• Corticosteroids, such as prednisone, are powerful anti-inflammatory agents. If they can reduce the swelling of the facial nerve, it will fit more comfortably within the bony corridor that surrounds it. Corticosteroids may work best if they're started within several days of when your symptoms started.
• Antiviral drugs. The role of antivirals remains unsettled. Antivirals alone have shown no benefit compared with placebo. Antivirals added to steroids are possibly beneficial for some people with Bell's palsy, but this is still unproved.
  However, despite this, valacyclovir (Valtrex) is sometimes given in combination with prednisone in people with severe facial palsy.

Paralyzed muscles can shrink and shorten, causing permanent contractures. A physical therapist can teach you how to massage and exercise your facial muscles to help prevent this from occurring.

Laser therapy is a pain free treatment used by a physical therapist to aide the recovery of the facial nerve.  The laser stimulates the natural healing process and can improve recovery times in as little as 2 weeks.

Call us today to see how we can help you get your smile back!  888-202-5474

Huron Valley Rehab

2530 Crooks Rd Suite 3

Royal Oak, MI 48073