Updated: Mar 26, 2020
Editor: Gausalyah (Physiotherapist of Grand Care Rehabilitation)
We are glad to share another story of our client Mr Abdullah aged 29 years old who was diagnosed with Bell`s palsy since August 2018. What is Bell’s palsy: is a neurological condition occurs when the seventh cranial nerve becomes swollen or compressed, resulting facial muscle weakness or paralysis. According to an article, bell`s palsy most likely triggered by viral infection. Mr Abdullah came into our centre on 14/5/19 to seek treatment for his condition. At our centre he received combination of eastern and western treatment combination. The main complaint from him was the Left side of eyebrow was not able raise up as Right side, not able to smile and chew on the Left side. He work as businessman often sleep at midnight (2am or 3 am) and he is also an active heavy smoker. ‘Smoking slower the healing process of injured nerve’. He was depress because he has been receiving acupuncture for 3 months since the attacks but not complete recovery.
Upon physiotherapy assessment, my short term goal for him was to improve the facial expression include eyebrow lift and smile symmetrically, and long term goal was to improve his quality of Life. He was advised to quit smoking and changes his lifestyle to improve the healing process of injured nerve. Mr Abdullah visited our centre weekly once initially, entire process last for 5 Months as we wanted to monitor his condition continuously to ensure he is practicing self-control lowers the risk of smoking lapse. He received acupuncture for 15 Minutes and Physiotherapy rehabilitation for 45 Minutes at our centre. According to an article, acupuncture combines with western treatment highly effective in Bell’s palsy to stimulate injured/ inflamed nerve to faster recovery process. Physiotherapist has specific exercises and treatment for Bell’s palsy to strengthen and re-educates the muscles by using Electrical Muscle stimulation (EMS). EMS is one of the stimulator to stimulate the muscle to work during activity or movement which is effective in neurological conditions. The muscles naturally contract in response to electrical signals sent by the brain, and EMS machines replicate these impulses, causing muscles to contract on command. After 4TH session Mr Abdullah’s smile improved almost his smile was symmetrical. His progression was improved day by day and the recovery process faster than single treatment. On the 8th session his Left eyebrow able to raise up as the Right eyebrow and he almost recovered completely. He was happy and satisfy with his progression.
Here I’m sharing the treatments and exercises that Mr Abdullah received at our centre:
1. Acupuncture: to improves the blood circulation and enhance the healing process
2. Active assisted exercises for the weak side (Lt): to re-educate the movement
3. Electrical muscle stimulation: to stimulate the weak side of muscle
4. Facial manipulation: to release the tension of the muscle on not affected side
5. Resisted exercises for weak side after few session: to improve the strength of muscle
6. Education of Facial expression
7. Patient centre care: motivating and helping him to quit smoking
All the exercises and treatment are tailored to each an individual based on our understanding about pathophysiology of the condition.
“It Does Not Matter How Slowly You Go As Long As You Do Not Stop”
