Gentle face massage (for Bell's palsy and facial palsy)

How to move

1. Wash your hands and sit comfortably in front of a mirror, with your shoulders relaxed.
2. Using the pads of your fingers, gently massage your brow on the weak side.
3. Move on to your temple, then your cheek.
4. Then your chin, and down the side of your neck.
5. Keep the pressure gentle: Facial Palsy UK says it should never cause pain or discomfort.
6. Then let your face rest. Through the day you can still make your normal expressions; just don't force exaggerated ones.

Form cues

• Massage, not exercise: your hands move your face, so your face doesn't have to work.
• Use the pads of your fingers, with gentle pressure.
• Avoid: pressing on or near your eye (our suggestion), and pushing your face to move faster.

Practice and cautions

Every day. Facial Palsy UK says there's no limit to how often you can massage, as long as it's gentle and doesn't cause any pain or discomfort; our starting point is a few minutes, 2 or 3 times a day. If your face later feels tight (synkinesis), its routine for that stage, which it says not to start before 3 months, uses firmer pressure, enough to move the muscles under the skin, twice a day, alongside stretches from a specialist facial therapist.

This doesn't replace steroids, eye care or a medical check. Call 999 first if a face droops with weakness in an arm or trouble speaking: these can be signs of a stroke. A new facial palsy needs an urgent GP appointment or a call to NHS 111, because treatment works best if it starts within 72 hours. Tell your GP about any rash in or around your ear, in your hairline or sores in your mouth, and don't massage over a rash or broken skin (our suggestion). If you have botulinum toxin injections, skip massage on the day of the injections and start again the next day. This is movement education, not an assessment or treatment prescription. Stop for sharp or increasing pain, dizziness, numbness or tingling; seek individual guidance for symptoms, injury or restrictions.