What is facial retraining?
A specific program designed to retrain facial muscles for movement and expression after
the Facial Nerve has been paralyzed. Facial expression is one of the most important skills
humans possess. The face shows expressions and facial muscles provide the ability to
smile, pucker, blink and chew.
What are the goals of facial retraining?
Normalize movement of facial muscles
Increase symmetrical movement patterns of the face
Increase volitional movements of the face
Inhibit undesired movements and synkinesis
Normalize muscular tone
What conditions can cause facial paralysis?
Bell's Palsy and Ramsey Hunt Syndrome
Facial, temporal bone or head traumas
Acoustic neuromas, facial schwannomas and other tumors affecting facial movements
Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA)
What is involved in facial retraining therapy?
A thorough evaluation of facial movements through observation, dual channel Electromyograph (EMG) and
Active self training by the patient includes:
Individualized specific functional facial exercises
Dual Channel Electromyograph training using sensory, visual and auditory feedback to
teach the brain to make new neurological connections for facial movements when the old
ones have been damaged. The patient observes on a screen all increments of
movements. Also, the graphs on the computer screen compare right and left sides of
the face so the patient can work toward symmetry.
Isolated movements to decrease synkinesis
and abnormal movement patterns
Visual feedback with a mirror
Supervised modalities of electrical stimulation, heat/cold, massage, eye care and
Patients are typically seen once weekly on an outpatient basis and are provided a
specific individualized home exercise program.
Outcomes of Facial Retraining
Outcomes at the Atlanta Ear Clinic and other centers utilizing this treatment
intervention show up to 95% recovery in all treatment categories, even in cases of long
Facial retraining requires time, effort and concentration by the patient, but the
results are worth the efforts! On many of the patients treated, the results are so
outstanding it is hard to identify which side of the face has been paralyzed.