A blocked nose
A common symptom of facial palsy is a blocked nose on the affected side of your face when previously breathing through your nose was normal. The nasalis muscle has two parts and two different functions. The transverse part which goes over the bridge of the nose and compresses the nostril, and the wing-like “alar” part which flares or dilates the nostril.
Causes
In the early stage of facial palsy when the facial muscles are droopy (flaccid stage). The nasalis muscle can lose its tone and can collapse so it is more difficult for you to breathe through your nose. During this stage of recovery, you may find some of the anti-snoring aids helpful, such as nasal strips or clips, which hold the nasal passage open.
In the later stage of recovery (synkinetic stage), when the facial muscles can become stiff, the nasalis muscle gets tight making it more difficult to breathe through the affected side of the nose and may feel very tender around the edge of the nostril itself.
Diagram of the nasalis muscle
What can help
You can identify whether the affected nostril is loose or tight by comparing it with the unaffected side. If they feel the same, then there may be another reason for your blocked nose, in which case you should check your symptoms with your GP. If the affected nostril feels different, for example, thicker, more tender, tighter or shorter, you may need to carry out the release technique for that muscle. You may find it easier to use the left hand for the right nostril and the right hands for the left nostril.
How to test for tightness
- Place the thumb inside the nostril on the unaffected side and the index finger on the outside.
- Pull down and try to twist the nostril under at the same time.
- Now repeat on the affected side.
- Does it feel different on the affected side? Maybe thicker or more tender/tighter/shorter, like it doesn’t move as far?
- If so, you should do the release technique as described below.
- If not, then skip this release technique but check back on it again next week to make sure things haven’t changed.
How to release tightness
- Place the thumb inside the nostril on the affected side and the index finger on the outside.
- Pull down and try to twist the nostril under at the same time.
- Make sure you don’t cause any pain. If you do go more gently on the twist.
- Now you’re in the position to begin the release.
- Hold for one minute imagining the muscle slowly ‘melting’ like an ice cube as it releases and slowly lengthens as you hold it.
- Repeat this release technique at regular intervals throughout the day.
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Photo by Brittany Colette on Unsplash