Facial Paralysis:
Client called complaining of face and neck pain. “It’s like I have a charlie horse all the time on the left side of my face”.
In reviewing her medical history, the face pain and also paralysis on her left side was due to a tumor that was growing on her brainstem. The tumor was removed surgically in 2008, but not without permanent damage to the nerves that control her face, hearing and balance. She had completed physical and speech therapy after surgery
The primary focus of the session was to relax the muscles and hopefully affect the “charlie horse” sensation.
I spent nearly the entire hour with the client laying face up on the table so I could work her face, neck and upper back.
Using connective tissue massage, neuro-muscular massage, trigger point and deep tissue massage techniques I was able to get her muscles to release partially.
The main muscles I targeted were the Platysma, Masseter, Sternocleidomastoid Levator Scapulae and Trapezius.
After our first session she said she was feeling great and that her face didn’t have that knotted feeling.
She returned for an appointment two weeks later and reported that, for the first time in two years, she had been pain free for two whole days!
The session on 3/18/11 focused not only on the face muscles but also spent more time releasing the muscles around her upper trapezius that had stayed tight with some discomfort.
I instructed her how to massage her masseter (one of the chewing muscles) that seemed to be the main culprit of her charley horse by inserting her thumb into her mouth and massaging the muscle between her thumb and finger.
I’m hoping with a few more sessions and instructions on self care she will be able to keep her pain at bay since there’s apparently nothing that can be done to help the damaged nerves.
I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to help such a fantastic woman get relief from her apin and teach some techniques that will continue to help her at home!
-Shanthi