Introduction to massage

Massage is important in the acute phase of facial palsy to keep your facial muscles supple as your nerve recovers. Daily massage will help reduce the risk of stiffness and other side effects, such as linked movements called synkinesis, which could slow your recovery.

Facial massage needs to be carried out daily using firm pressure with the pads of the fingers in small, slow circular movements. Don’t let your fingers slide over the surface of your skin, they should remain still whilst moving the muscles deeply in circles.

Try to stay relaxed as you massage your face, if it helps you can rest your elbows on a table in front of you so your arms don’t get tired. We tend to massage both sides of the face for ease.