Facial Paralysis Explained: Causes, Associated Symptoms, and What Recovery Looks Like

<p>In this episode of Talk Dizzy To Me, Dr. Abbie Ross, PT, NCS is joined by vestibular and neuro experts Dr. Carly Lochala, PT, NCS and Dr. Sara MacDowell, PT to break down facial paralysis, including Bell’s palsy, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, and facial nerve recovery.</p><p><br></p><p>They dive into how facial paralysis affects not just movement, but also confidence, communication, and daily life... and what both clinicians and patients need to know about assessment, treatment, and recovery.</p><p><br></p><p>Key Takeaways:</p><p>- Facial paralysis is commonly caused by Bell’s palsy, but can also result from Ramsay Hunt syndrome, tumors, trauma, or infections</p><p>- The facial nerve (cranial nerve VII) controls facial expression, taste, tear production, and more</p><p>- Recovery depends on degree of nerve damage, not just diagnosis</p><p>- You cannot “exercise” your way out of paralysis early on... the nerve must heal first</p><p>- Improper exercises or overstimulation can worsen recovery</p><p>- Facial paralysis has a major psychosocial impact</p><p>- There are treatment options—even long-term—despite common myths</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Episode Resources:</strong></p><p><a href="⁠https://facialtherapyspecialists.com/⁠" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠https://facialtherapyspecialists.com/⁠</a></p><p><a href="⁠https://www.facialpalsy.org.uk/⁠" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠https://www.facialpalsy.org.uk/⁠</a></p><p><a href="⁠http://bellspalsy.ws/⁠" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠http://bellspalsy.ws/⁠</a></p><p>​​⁠https://facialparalysisfoundation.org/bells-palsy/⁠Webinar: </p><p><a href="https://www.advancedneurotherapyed.com/joinus-4750abba-5b23-4e87-a795-b3eeed345aad" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠Sara&#39;s Webinar</a></p><p><br></p><p>Where to Find Sara: @dizzydiagnostics</p><p>Where to Find Carly: @balancingactrehab</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Hosted by:</strong></p><p>🎤 Dr. Abbie Ross, PT, NCS</p><p>🎤 Dr. Danielle Tolman, PT</p><p><br></p><p><strong>For episode recommendations or requests, email us at:</strong> <a href="info@balancingactrehab.com" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠info@balancingactrehab.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><br></p><p>Join our online program and community, The Dizzy Reset™. <a href="https://tdr.balancingactrehab.com/invitation?code=2AAFEJ" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Use code TALKDIZZYTOME for 40% off your first month!</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Us:</strong></p><p><strong>→</strong> <a href="https://calendly.com/balancingactrehab/10min" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<strong>Book a free call with us</strong>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><strong>→ </strong><a href="https://www.balancingactrehab.com/subscribe" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<strong>Get free resources straight to your inbox</strong>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><strong>→ </strong>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<a href="https://www.balancingactrehab.com/group" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠<strong>Join our online program and community, The Dizzy Reset™, for FREE</strong>⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><strong>→ </strong><a href="https://www.youtube.com/BalancingActResources" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<strong>Watch podcast episodes (and more) on YouTube </strong>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><strong>→</strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/balancingactrehab/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<strong>Follow us on Instagram</strong>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><strong>→</strong> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@balancingactrehab" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<strong>Follow us on TikTok</strong>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><strong>→</strong> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/balancingactrehab" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠<strong>Follow us on Facebook</strong>⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠</a></p><p><strong>→</strong> <a href="https://www.balancingactrehab.co