In the article, we will consider how massage is performed for neuritis of the facial nerve.
Anyone can face such a problem. Inflammation of this nerve is accompanied by severe pain, loss of function of certain muscles, and distortion of the face. Neuritis of the facial nerve is an inflammatory process that leads to a partial or complete loss of the functionality of this cranial nerve. Therapy of such a disease is not limited to the effects of drugs, very often neuropathologists prescribe a facial massage for patients with facial neuritis (pictured below).
Reasons for the development of the pathological process
The list of main causes of inflammation of the facial nerve includes:
- hypothermia (prolonged local exposure to low temperatures, which causes spasms of blood vessels, disrupts the nutrition of the nerve);
- influenza viruses, herpes simplex, mumps;
- mechanical injuries of the head and ears (rupture of blood vessels and violation of the integrity of the muscles is accompanied by severe swelling, in which there is compression of the facial nerve, causing the development of neuritis);
- alcohol abuse;
- dental pathologies and their treatment (infectious agents from the carious tooth go to nearby nerve fibers);
- inflammatory processes in the middle ear (otitis media) and posterior cranial fossa (meningitis, meningoencephalitis, arachnoiditis).
Symptoms
Symptoms of this pathological condition develop, as a rule, gradually. At first, pain occurs in the ear, and after a couple of days - asymmetry of the face. On the inflamed side, the nasolabial fold begins to smooth out, the patient cannot completely close the eye (lagophthalmos), raise the corner of the mouth. In an attempt to smile, a grin is observed, shifted to the healthy side. In addition, there is a loss of taste in the anterior region of the tongue, increased salivation. Excessive hearing sensitivity may occur in the direction of damage to the facial nerve.
Indications for massage treatment
In what cases is massage indicated for facial neuritis? Timely treatment in the form of massage for neuritis is considered a very effective therapeutic procedure. Comprehensive treatment with massage and medication helps restore lost muscle function in shorter time intervals compared to using only one drug therapy. It is very important to know that massage therapy should be started no earlier than 10-14 days after the onset of the first symptoms of the pathological process.
The main indications for the treatment of facial neuritis are massage:
- inflammatory processes in nerves of a toxic or infectious nature;
- mechanical nerve injuries;
- violation of the motor functions of the facial muscles in the postoperative period.
Caution should be given to massage procedures for people with concomitant purulent pathologies of ENT organs, since massage movements help normalize blood flow in the tissues of the face, which can lead to the rapid spread of infection. Therefore, such procedures are carried out only as directed by a specialist.
Classical massage for neuritis
Conducting a classic massage with facial neuritis is indicated for patients with an inflammatory process that affects the trigeminal nerve. It is performed by a specialist in a medical institution, such a procedure is painless and takes, as a rule, from 10 to 20 minutes. Such a facial massage is prescribed for neuritis of the facial nerve, usually in courses of 1-2 sessions per day for a month. Massage measures are aimed at improving blood flow in the muscles of the face, eliminating spasms of facial muscles, restoring reduced or lost motor function of muscles, and eliminating speech defects caused by neuritis.
Massage Technique for Facial Neuritis
This technique includes rubbing, stroking and vibrational movements. This procedure begins with massaging, rubbing and stroking movements on the muscles of the neck and neck, improving lymphatic outflow from the facial muscles. After that, they go directly to massaging the facial muscles. Symmetric movements are performed on the diseased and healthy sides along the massage lines, moving from the center to the peripheral areas. First, with the help of stroking movements massage the forehead, moving from the midline to the temples. With similar movements, the eye area is processed, starting from the area of the inner corner, moving gradually towards the outer. In the future, begin to massage from the wings of the nose, with the transition to the temples and cheekbones. The last area for stroking movements is the area of the lips, from there - to the corner of the lower jaw. After that, all movements are repeated with a slight pressure, which helps to achieve the effect of grinding and increased blood flow to muscle fibers. The last massage movements are vibratory, which are carried out in a similar sequence.
Classical massage for neuritis of the facial nerve ends with stroking movements of the face, neck and neck.
Acupressure
This type of massage for neuritis of the facial nerves can be used both as an independent procedure and as an addition to its classical form or self-massage. For this, shiatsu points are used, which are stroked with a slight pressure for several seconds. Acupressure for neuritis of the facial nerve begins with points that are located above the eyebrows, after which points are worked on above the eyes, under the cheekbones, on the temples, along the wings of the nose, between the lower lip and chin. Massage movements should be absolutely symmetrical and performed on both sides of the face.
Self-massage technique at home
Many are interested in whether it is possible to perform massage with facial neuritis at home.
In cases where the patient does not have the opportunity to take the help of a medical specialist, he can resort to self-massage techniques. First, you should choose a convenient place to carry out this procedure. In this case, you can use any chair with a flat back, which is placed in front of the mirror. The massage is performed in the following sequence:
- Sitting on a chair, massage begins with kneading movements for the neck, in which you need to tilt your head to the sides, forward and backward. Then begin to massage the forehead through light stroking movements. In this case, it is necessary to close your eyes, relax as much as possible, and using the same movements begin to stretch your eyelids from the inner corner of the eye towards the temple area.
- With the fingertips it is necessary to carry out light pressure and work through such movements the area from the wings of the nose to the ears.
- With light stroking movements, you can walk from the area of the lips to the corners of the jaw.
- Work out the chin area, stroking slightly from the midline to the corners of the lower jaw.
Massage Efficiency
How to do massage with neuritis of the facial nerve, it is better to find out in advance.
The correct implementation of various techniques contributes to the rapid restoration of the motor function of the muscles of this area. However, the treatment of neuritis of the facial nerve is a rather lengthy process that can take several months. For initial noticeable improvements, as a rule, two to three weeks of daily facial massage procedures are enough. In addition to such therapeutic measures, self-massage sessions can be carried out at home, which will significantly speed up the healing process.
results
Properly selected and performed in a timely manner massage technique helps to achieve the following therapeutic results:
- improvement of local blood circulation processes;
- rapid elimination of muscle spasm;
- restoration of facial activity;
- correction of defects in speech functions that were triggered by neuritis.
Therapy duration
The restoration of mimic functionality and the elimination of all external manifestations associated with this pathological condition requires rather lengthy therapy. For greater effectiveness, combined methods are often used, for example, acupressure facial massage with facial neuritis and acupuncture. Manual therapy may not be limited only to the area of the face. It is advisable to start the procedure from the cervical-collar region, since many vital blood vessels supplying the head with blood pass through this area.
Massage for neuritis of the facial nerves may include a point effect on the entire head. In order to avoid the negative consequences that often occur with neuritis, it is recommended to carry out similar procedures with professional specialists, since facial neuritis is a serious disease with characteristic external symptoms, and with independent attempts to eliminate them, the condition may worsen. If you use massage techniques uncontrollably, the lesion can take on a chronic form and it will become much more difficult and sometimes impossible to cope with.
Reviews
On medical sites there are a huge number of patient reviews regarding a variety of massage techniques for the face area with the development of inflammatory processes in the facial nerve. Many patients consider such massage techniques for facial neuritis as fundamental among all therapeutic measures. It is noted that mechanical action on the facial muscles helps more successfully than the most modern drug treatment.
Particularly popular today are acupressure techniques, which are already held not only in specialized private clinics, but also in ordinary medical institutions. Patients note that after a course of such massage their health significantly improved, normalization of speech functions was noticeable, facial symmetry stabilized.
It should be noted the benefits of classical methods of massage of the facial area with neuritis. Neurologists consider such a massage a mandatory therapeutic measure and prescribe it to almost every patient with facial neuritis. Patients also observed significant improvements after it - the disappearance of pain in the facial zone, the normalization of facial movements, etc.