Bell's Palsy Exercises - Ask Doctor Jo

You want to do these in front of a mirror so you can see the movements you are getting. You can use your fingers to help with the movement if you need to, and move both sides of your face for the exercises.

The first exercise is lifting your eyebrows like you are surprised. If you need to use your finger, place it right above your eyebrow and then lift both eyebrows up like you are surprised. Just start off with ten of these because you don’t want to overwork the muscles. The next one is moving the eyebrows in together, almost like an angry face. Again, you can put your finger on top of your eyebrow and push inward to help the movement.

Now you will move down to the nose area and flare your nose. You can flare them out or down. Put your finger right in the crease of the nose to help the movement. Then you are going to move to your lips. You are going to try to make a smiley face curving your lips upward. Put your finger on the corner of your lip to help it move upward.

Eventually you can try to hold the position for 3 seconds, but just start off with ten of each to get the muscles moving.

Other Ask Doctor Jo Videos:

Vertigo Treatment with Simple Exercises (BPPV):

Balance & Coordination Exercises:

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Doctor Jo is a licensed Physical Therapist and Doctor of Physical Therapy.

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Bell’s Palsy Exercises:

DISCLAIMER: This video and any related comments are not medical advice. Doctor Jo is a licensed Physical Therapist and Doctor of Physical Therapy; however, she is not YOUR Physical Therapist and can't possibly diagnose you through the Internet. So don't use this information to avoid going to your own healthcare professional or to replace the advice they have given you. This information should not be used to self-diagnose or self-treat any medical condition. If you are not properly diagnosed, this information won't help, and it could make things worse. If you experience any pain, stop immediately and see your healthcare professional.

[AskDoctorJo]

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[stamata]

I don't really comment on videos but I just wanted to say this helped me a lot. After my initial diagnosis, I was given steroids to take for 7 days. The doctor said after the steroids there is really nothing else I can take and depending on if we caught it in time or not I have to wait for it to heal. The first few days were hard, could not look at myself in a mirror because it wasn't me. Then I found this video and did the exercises every day. I can say it's been 1 month and it doesn't even look like I had Bell' Palsy, I'm still doing the exercises to strengthen the muscles but my smile is back. Whoever is reading this, it's not easy for anyone but know you are not alone. This can be really hard to handle but people do recover 100% of their face. I think knowing that helped me as well.

[LAforLife]

I experienced this for a week and a half. GUYS. The exercises DO HELP. See a doc first, get the medication needed, do the exercises and most importantly, stay positive. That was the recipe I followed and I am now 100% recovered. :-)

[seenyab]

I was diagnosed with this when I was a child. It got really severe when I was about 14. One side of my face was completely paralyzed. I was scared then. Just yesterday I got diagnosed again and am having another episode of it. It’s not as severe and I’m on antibiotics and steroids again. God bless anyone else who is suffering this as well. You are strong and will get through this!

[dwnbythrivr]

I was diagnosed 3 days ago and it has been rough mentally. Seeing everyone’s positivity here in the comments is really mentally supportive. Thanks everyone.

[hk-nmox]

I got diagnosed around 3 weeks ago & I’m nearly recovered.

If you’re going through this now, I know how hard it is to remain positive but please know that this will become better. This is coming from someone who used to have 10 mental breakdowns in a day lmao 😭😭😭

It WILL get better & at the end of it you will become stronger ❤️

Update: fully recovered.

[chaneshiawoods]

Just diagnosed in the past hour I will not let this break me this too shall pass

[sofiemai]

I experienced Bell Palsy a year ago, and today I'm 100% fine.
I just wanted to tell you, if you are going through this, yes it's scary and really weird, many thoughts go through you head and you might feel some depression.. maybe. I hope you'll still smile (even if you look a little funny) ;)

[juandiegoflores]

I was diagnosed last week. Doc said this might be influenced by high levels of stress. I'm currently doing exercises like the ones on the video and also acupuncture. Recovery is going a little slow but I'm starting to see some progress. To everybody going thorugh the same, just keep the positivity and try to stay relaxed!

[roniwilliams]

Today is day 4 for me! I have been praying and resting! I have felt some tingling on my left side on the affected areas! I am thankful that I came across this video Dr. Jo! I will remain positive and add these exercises to my routine! God is a healer and WE ALL will get through this! Have an Amazing weekend!

[poojanegi]

it's my 20 th day and I'm 60 % recovered ..guys don't panic, leave all ur work, don't use mobile phones alot, do yoga and facial massages, stay close to nature, do morning and evening walks daily and be positive...it's a temporary thing

[aperwiz]

I was diagnosed yesterday. I pray it corrects as soon as possible. Thanks for the exercises. The comments from others really help. May you all recover fully. Ameen.

[bribri]

Just diagnosed today. Really depressing. This thing happened all of a sudden. One hour I was ok and the next i couldn't smile, blink, or eat normal. This too shall pass.

[mohammedapdillah]

After 19 days now I'm totally alright thankz GOD ALHAMDULILLAH

[thevictorpresents]

I found this exercise very helpful and plan to do it frequently throughout my day! My day 2, hopefully everybody recovers 100% soon!😊

[valrivera]

I'm a week and a day in and the most detrimental thing is having my smile taken. I hate spilling food and drinks uncontrollably in public and being embarrassed to smile and laugh. I'm blessed to have a good support system and to see other people experiencing the same thing. Best of luck to everyone going thru this. You are not alone!

[claudiaser]

I was diagnosed yesterday and just reading these comments is helping me in the moment. I feel broken and defeated reading that some people were able to recover gives me some hope

[Holmes]

Was diagnosed with Bell's Palsy on the left side of my face exactly two weeks ago, I'm 29 years old. Today I'm finally seeing some movement in my mouth, cheek, nose and forehead.


I did face exercises, massages and took vitamin B12 tablets, anything I could find that could potentially help with the recovery of my nerves and keeping the muscles in my face active/healthy.


Try not to stress, be impatient or get worried when things don't improve. The first four days for me my condition got gradually worse until I couldn't move anything and I was depressed, stressing about things being permanent and so on edge about it all I pinched a nerve in my neck/shoulder. This made recovering more uncomfortable and my mental health suffered a lot throughout it all.


I can't recommend enough trying to stay positive, eat healthy, take care of your face and affected eye, do things to keep your mind off what's happening and also REST! I went to three different doctors before one of them finally said I should be taking time off work to rest and recover. Even though the rest of your body is working fine, you are still sick and you need to rest and recover.


Wishing everyone else here a smooth and fast recovery.

[sanamaygwapongtransferee]

I love this comment section, it's positive and full of encouraging people. Thank you, God bless everyone 😭❤️

Edit: I got a heart 👁️👄👁️

[jesusbaeza]

Got diagnosed with this 3 days ago but let’s get this man! We got this staying positive is key! We got this!