Bell's palsy is a weakness or paralysis of the muscles that control the expression on one side of the face. The severity can range from mild weakness to total paralysis. The disorder results from damage to a facial nerve, one of which runs beneath each ear to the muscles on the same side of your face.
Though the onset of Bell's palsy can be abrupt, the cause is unknown and its development isn't well understood. The prevalent theory is that the facial nerve becomes swollen and injured, perhaps by a viral infection. In some cases the nerve then has no room to expand within its bony channel, and this restriction or compression then causes the Bell's palsy.
While Bell's palsy usually isn't serious, it can be a blow to the self-esteem because it may result in a droopy appearance to the face. For most people the disorder clears up on its own within weeks or months.
Individuals experiencing Bell's palsy may exhibit some or all of the following symptoms:
In addition to conventional measures, which may include medication, complementary modalities such as CranioSacral Therapy can play an important role in a comprehensive therapeutic approach. In general, the earlier Bell's palsy is addressed with complementary therapies such as CranioSacral Therapy, the better. Mild cases often disappear within a month, though recovery from a case involving total paralysis is variable.