Facial palsy therapy

The facial palsy specialist therapy team consists of highly specialised therapists from the disciplines of physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy. We work alongside a multidisciplinary team of plastic and ophthalmic surgeons and psychological therapists to provide a comprehensive service of care for all patients with facial palsy.

Your initial therapy appointment will include a comprehensive assessment being carried out. This will include photographs being taken. An individualised treatment plan is then developed specifically for you. Sessions are up to 1 hour long and repeated every 1-3 months depending on your stage of recovery. Treatment plans are based on ongoing assessment and may include comprehensive education, massage, stretching, neuromuscular re-education, sEMG biofeedback as well as adjuncts to treatment such as chemodenervation injections (Xeomin/Botox®).

Why choose us?

Clinical effectiveness
Standardised, validated clinical outcome measures are used alongside photography to help measure the effectiveness of our therapy treatment.
We use three outcome measures to measure the effectiveness of therapy for facial palsy: The Sunnybrook Facial Grading System (SFGS), House Brackmann (HB) and 2 patient reported outcomes – The Facial Disability Index (FDI) and the FACE scale. These scales allow us to see how well patient’s facial function is improving as well as their satisfaction with psychological and social improvements.

Recent results showed on average that patients improve to about 70-80% of normal function:

– an average improvement on the SFGS of 25%
– an average improvement on the FACE score of 28%
These are encouraging results and we will continue to evaluate the effectiveness of our therapies.

Clinic times, locations and how to contact us:

Facial palsy therapy clinics run Monday to Friday in the therapy department.
Therapy led chemodenervation (Xeomin/Botox®) clinics run on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings in main outpatients.

The MDT facial palsy clinics led by Mr Charles Nduka and Mr Ruben Kannan, (main outpatients) run on Tuesday and Thursday mornings within the month.

To enquire about specialist facial therapy or to make an appointment please contact us on qvh.therapy@nhs.net or call 01342 414004. Our reception is staffed Monday-Friday 8.30am-4.30pm. Referrals are accepted from health professionals such as GPs and consultants.

Feedback from patients

“My smile is less asymmetrical now and I am pleased that I know how to improve it further. I am more confident about my face now.”

“After 1 session I have come away armed with a plan which has allowed me think I can get back the parts of me/my life that were lost after the surgery that led to my facial palsy.”

“Very clear explanations about what is not working correctly and how to fix it. Encouragement and photos show progress. Exercises adapted as needed.”

“Information was very clear, and I was not rushed when trying to explain something or ask a question.”

Message for our facial palsy patients

If you come to QVH for Botox® injections as part of your treatment for facial palsy, please could we ask that you have at least a 2 week gap from having Covid or receiving a Covid booster vaccination before your next injection. This is to make sure that you are well and that any after effects aren’t confused with any side effects of the Botox® injection.

If you are due to have an injection and need to reschedule your appointment, please contact us via the number on your letter.

Image: pixabay.com