Bell’s Palsy and Chiropractic

This section was compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
Send all comments or additions to:   Frankp@chiro.org

	Concurrent Bell's Palsy and Facial Pain Improving with Multimodal Chiropractic Therapy: A Case Report and Literature Review Am J Case Rep 2022 (Sep 19); 23: e937511 ~ FULL TEXT Patients with Bell’s palsy may also develop symptoms of trigeminal neuropathy. The current case as well as those previously published suggest that these patients may respond to chiropractic multimodal therapy including spinal manipulation, possibly because of the effect of these therapies on the afferents of the trigeminal pathway and accompanying symptoms such as neck pain. Although individual cases show the promise of chiropractic management for these patients, more rigorously designed studies are needed to evaluate the utility of this therapy in Bell’s palsy with or without concurrent trigeminal neuropathy.
	Chiropractic Management of Bell Palsy with Low Level Laser and Manipulation: A Case Report J Chiropractic Medicine 2013 (Dec); 12 (4): 288–291 ~ FULL TEXT The patient was treated with low-level laser therapy and chiropractic manipulation 2 times in 4 days. The laser was applied along the course of the facial nerve for 30 seconds at each point and for 1 minute at the stylomastoid foramen. The laser used was a GaAs class 4 laser with a wavelength of 910 nm. The patient perceived a 70% to 80% improvement of facial movement after the first treatment. After the second treatment, the patient reported full control of his facial movements.
	Chiropractic Care of a 47-year-old Woman with Chronic Bell's Palsy: A Case Study J Chiropractic Medicine 2011 (Dec); 10 (4): 288–293 ~ FULL TEXT The patient received high-velocity, low-amplitude chiropractic manipulation (adjustments) to the cervical and thoracic spine, interferential muscle stimulation, and hydroculation on the trapezius muscles bilaterally. Reduction in symptoms occurred following the initial visit and continued over the next 9 weeks of care. After the course of a year of chiropractic care, the patient reached 90% improvement.
	Chiropractic Care of a Patient With Vertebral Subluxation and Bell’s Palsy J Manipulative Physiol Ther 2003 (May); 26 (4): 253 ~ FULL TEXT There are indications that patients suffering from Bell’s palsy may benefit from a holistic chiropractic approach that not only includes a focus of examination and care of the primary regional areas of complaint (eg, face, TMJ) but also potentially from significant vertebral subluxation concomitants.
	Treatment of Facial Muscles Affected by Bell's Palsy with High-Voltage Electrical Muscle Stimulation J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1993 (Jun); 16 (5): 47-352 Both patients were treated with high-voltage pulsed galvanic current at 80 peaks/sec with a 7-inch hand-held held probe for 10 min each visit. In addition, the cervical spine fixations were mobilized using chiropractic manipulation. Case A was resolved after 6 wk of treatment and case B was resolved after 3 wk of treatment.
	Treatment of Bell's Palsy by Mechanical Force, Manually Assisted Chiropractic Adjusting and High-voltage Electrotherapy J Manipulative Physiol Ther 1992 (Nov); 15 (9): 596–598 This article discusses two cases of Bell's palsy successfully treated by mechanical force, manually assisted chiropractic adjusting technique combined with high-voltage electrotherapy. While these two cases do not necessarily represent any rule for the chiropractic treatment of Bell's palsy by the methods used, or for other chiropractic methods that may be used, they do represent an initial time/treatment "baseline" by which future inter- and intratechnique comparisons may be made for the determination of relative effectiveness.

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Since 6-09-2003

Updated 12-21-2023