Bell palsy is a sudden weakness or paralysis on one side of the face. It can cause pain and problems with hearing, vision, taste, and speech.
Medicine and physical therapy are used to improve muscle function and recovery time. Some people turn to natural therapies to provide further benefit.
Natural Therapies
May Be Effective
- Electrostimulation uses an electrical current through electrodes on the skin. It may quicken recovery time. B1
- Physical therapy may help improve facial function. D1, D2, D3
May Not Be Effective
These therapies may not be effective:
- Acupuncture A1, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy C1
Not Enough Data to Assess
- Laser therapy E1
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Editorial process and description of evidence categories can be found at EBSCO NAT Editorial Process.
Herbs and Supplements to Be Used With Caution
Talk to your doctor about any supplements or therapy you would like to use. Some can interfere with treatment or make conditions worse.
References
Acupuncture
REFA1 Chen N, Zhou M, et al. Acupuncture for Bell’s Palsy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;(8):CD002914.
REFA2 Li P, Qui T, et al. Efficacy of Acupuncture for Bell’s Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. PLoS One. 2015;10(5):e0121880.
REFA3 Zhang R, Wu T, et al. Compare the efficacy of acupuncture with drugs in the treatment of Bell’s palsy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs. Medicine (Baltimore). 2019;98(19):e15566.
REFA4 Kwon HJ, Choi JY, et al. Acupuncture for the sequelae of Bell's palsy: a randomized controlled trial. Trials. 2015 Jun 3;16:246. doi: 10.1186/s13063-015-0777-z.
REFA5 Kim JI, Lee MS, et al. Acupuncture for Bell's palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Chin J Integr Med. 2012 Jan;18(1):48-55.
REFA6 Tong FM, Chow SK, et al. A prospective randomised controlled study on efficacies of acupuncture and steroid in treatment of idiopathic peripheral facial paralysis. Acupunct Med. 2009 Dec;27(4):169-173.
Electrostimulation
REFB1 Kim J, Choi JY. The effect of subthreshold continuous electrical stimulation on the facial function of patients with Bell’s palsy. Acta Otolaryngol. 2016;136(1):100-105.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy
REFC1 Holland NJ, Bernstein JM, et al. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for Bell’s palsy. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(2):CD007288.
Physical Therapy
REFD1 Teixeira LJ, Valbuza JS, et al. Physical therapy for Bell’s palsy (idiopathic facial paralysis). Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011;(12):CD006283.
REFD2 Nicastri M, Mancini P, et al. Efficacy of early physical therapy in severe Bell’s palsy: a randomized controlled trial. Neurorehabil Neural Repair. 2013;27(6):542-551.
REFD3 Monini S, Iacolucci CM, et al. Role of Kabat rehabilitation in facial nerve palsy: a randomised study on severe cases of Bell’s palsy. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2016;36(4):282-288.
Other Therapies
REFE1 Alayat MS, Elsodany AM, et al. Efficacy of high and low level laser therapy in the treatment of Bell's palsy: a randomized double blind placebo-controlled trial. Lasers Med Sci. 2014 Jan;29(1):335-342.