Facial Paralysis Therapy is GREAT!

[Pembo]

I had my first appointment with Todd at UPMC, Pittsburgh last month. He rated all my facial functions at a 31. After one month of specific exercises I returned and rated a 49!!!

He does biofeedback training as well as mirror training and I'm seeing great success.

For all of you with facial paralysis, if there is a clinic near you that has facial physical therapy, I highly recommend you check it out. My insurance pays for it like a regular pt visit.

AND if you are near Pittsburgh, PA...Todd is awesome at UPMC!!!

[Jeanlea]

That is good news.  Glad things are improving for you, Pembo.  Do you have to get a referral from your physician?  I go for my one year checkup in a week and want to discuss facial paralysis therapy with my doctor.  They have it at the hospital where I had my surgery.

Jean

[tony]

I am glad things are improving for you and you have raised an important point
regarding the renewal/reconnection/recovery process of the facial nerve
Yes, most know it can/will take 18mths to get back from even minor damage
but there is more to it.
There is a clinic in the UK founded by a woman who has spent the last
10 yrs or so on face rebuilds/exercises - not the surgery but the follow up
she has wriiten books (The Loss of Face)  and does lectures etc.
Fundamentally she maintains that if you do the exercises etc the chances
of recovery are much improved and much quicker - there are surgeons over here
who publicly doubt the wisdom of nerve surgery (reconnection etc)
where there is no planned follow up to get things going.
The % success rate over here is around 50% - the exercises improve this
to nearer 70%
Good Luck
Best regards
Tony

[Pembo]

Jean, Yes my doc did have to write a prescription for pt so I could start my therapy. I'm amazed at the recovery I've already had.

[pattibobatti]

Hi Pembo,
      I just had an EMG and it showed my facial nerve working  at 0%.  Would you think facial PT would help someone like me?? I had my tumor removed Jan. 06

Pattibobatti

[Pembo]

Hi Patti.  I'm not sure but it wouldn't hurt to talk to a facial pt. I talked to both Jackie Diels in Wisconsin (at 1 yr) and Todd in PA prior to making an appt. Both asked me questions about my current situation. A telephone wouldn't hurt. Good luck to you.

[Renee]

Pembro - I live in Pittsburgh and have seen a doctor at UPMC - he told me that basically I can do nothing to to help my face.  My right eye is bigger than my left and my right side of my face droops.  I HATE IT - IT'S TERRIBLE.  Can you possibly tell me any of the exercises that you have been prescribed as I now have no health insurance as I lost my job.  Any help would be very very appreciated.  Thanks much.

Renee

[tony]

Reply to Renee :
Sorry to hear of your troubles, check out the book "the loss of face" (D.Farragher ?)
there is a review on the net - it talks a bit about proceeses/timescales etc.
Also maybe look towards a 2nd opinion medically
- a face is a quality of life issue - I suggest you repost along the lines of
how can I get face/rebuild type surgery if my insurance has expired
someone on the list may know.
Best Regards
and Good Luck
Tony