• 1. Without Low Level Laser treatment, most people see improvement within 6 weeks, with full recovery often taking up to 9 months. However, our experience shows that starting Low Level Laser therapy early produces far better outcomes.

  2. Treatment within the first week of symptoms: ~88% chance of full recovery

  3. Treatment started between 7–14 days: ~83% chance of recovery

  4. Treatment delayed until 14–21 days: recovery likelihood drops to ~61%

  Even without treatment, the condition generally resolves over time, with about 71% of people recovering within 6 months. However, around 23% of those affected by Bell’s palsy are left with lasting issues, such as facial weakness, abnormal tear production (“crocodile tears”), one-sided facial spasms, or involuntary twitches.

If you have been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy it is IMPERATIVE that you commence steroid treatment immediately – your GP can provide these.  The next most important thing is to consult with a Myotherapist to receive at least 3×30 minute low level laser sessions within 9 days of each other.  Low level laser has been proven to boost the immune response to the herpes virus while simultaneously reducing neural swelling.

Low Level Laser is a game changer for resolving Bell’s palsy symptoms.

The swollen nerve (the facial nerve) emerges from the brain and skull just behind the ear, this is an area where the nerve can compress against the skull and become irritated.

If you have been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy it is IMPERATIVE that you commence steroid treatment immediately.  Early treatment greatly reduces recovery time and increases the likelihood of full recovery.

Bell’s palsy is not a stroke, it does not increase the risk of stroke and it is not life threatening.  A stroke occurs inside the brain, Bells palsy is the result of an infection in nervous tissue that has left the brain.

In most circumstances yes.

1. Without the use of Low Level Laser, Improvements usually occur within 6 weeks and a complete recovery within 9 months. In our experience using Low Level Laser consistently in the early stages provides results FAR superior to this.

2. Getting treatment within the first week of symptoms leads to an 88% likelihood of recovery.

3. Treatment commencing between 7-14 days has an 83% likelihood of recovery.

4. Treatment that does not start until 14-21 days has a 61% chance of recovery

5. The condition usually resolves completely given time (71% within 6 months).

6. Approximately 23% of individuals who suffer Bell’s palsy are left with ongoing symptoms such as facial weakness, abnormal tears (crocodile tears), one sided facial spasm and involuntary twitches.

In most circumstances yes.

• Without the use of Low Level Laser, Improvements usually occur within 6 weeks and a complete recovery within 9 months. In our experience using Low Level Laser consistently in the early stages provides results FAR superior to this.
• Getting treatment within the first week of symptoms leads to an 88% likelihood of recovery.
• Treatment commencing between 7-14 days has an 83% likelihood of recovery.
• Treatment that does not start until 14-21 days has a 61% chance of recovery
• The condition usually resolves completely given time (71% within 6 months).

Approximately 23% of individuals who suffer Bell’s palsy are left with ongoing symptoms such as facial weakness, abnormal tears (crocodile tears), one sided facial spasm and involuntary twitches

Technically, yes.  Bell’s palsy that last longer than 3months can cause neuroplastic change – meaning the brain and nervous system become better at making inflammation and turning off the regions that aren’t working.  This is a gradual process.

Bell’s palsy is non life threatening.

• The worst affects of Bell’s palsy on the eye occur because the eyelid does not close and blinking is inhibited. In the early stages this will lead to excessively watery eyes.
• Changes to the salivary glands from the altered facial nerve can cause a phenomenon known as crocodile tears – tears forming from salivation.
• The eye can dry out and become susceptible to debris and scratching.  It is important to protect the eye from bright light and particles and maintain lubrication with some form of artificial tear.

• 1. Bell’s palsy often improves on its own, but up to 27% of people may have ongoing symptoms. The key is early treatment—starting cortisone quickly makes the biggest difference.

  2. First week of symptoms → ~88% chance of full recovery

  3. 7–14 days → ~83% chance

  4. 14–21 days → ~61% chance

  Without Low Level Laser, recovery usually takes 6 weeks to improve and up to 9 months to fully resolve. With early Low Level Laser treatment, results are much faster and more effective.

The benchmarks of improvement will vary from person to person – less watering of the eye, being able to close the eye, not drooling because the mouth is working better, less ear pain – these are common features of someone who has had a few Low Level Laser interventions.

Not usually, but in up to 27% of cases, there is some level of ongoing symptoms.  Early treatment within the first week improves likelihood of complete recovery to 88%.  Waiting till 3 weeks lessens the likelihood to 61%.

Bell’s palsy is caused by the Herpes virus affecting the seventh cranial nerve – the facial nerve.  Exposure to herpes when your immune system is weak is the likely explanation.

If you are wondering is Bell’s palsy is hereditary at this stage a firm hereditary basis has not been found. However there are familial clusters suggesting there could be some genetic link.

There have been cases of familial bells palsy and so whilst there is no definitive answer there could be a genetic aspect to the condition.

Individuals affected with Bells palsy will manifest symptoms differently depending on the severity of the infection. It is always one sided, usually affecting the eye and the mouth.  An individual asked to smile will not be able to raise the mouth on the affected side.  An individual asked to raise their eyebrows will not be able to raise the eyebrows on the affected side.  The eye on the affected side may look droopy and be watering.

• Bell’s palsy is considered a self- limiting condition. However studies suggest that upto 27% of individuals will have ongoing symptoms.  Early treatment is the key to rapid recovery – getting cortisone is the single most important factor an individual can do to reduce the duration of symptoms.

• Without the use of Low Level Laser, Improvements usually occur within 6 weeks and a complete recovery within 9 months. In our experience using Low Level Laser consistently in the early stages provides results FAR superior to this.

• Getting treatment within the first week of symptoms leads to an 88% likelihood of recovery.

• Treatment commencing between 7-14 days has an 83% likelihood of recovery.

• Treatment that does not start until 14-21 days has a 61% chance of recovery

• The condition usually resolves completely given time (71% within 6 months).

Bells palsy is caused by the herpes virus.  At the time of publication, there are instances of individuals receiving an American COVID-19 vaccine that have developed Bells palsy – it is too early to determine the severity at this time.  It is possible that individuals with weakened immune systems who have been exposed to herpes and receive the vaccine are manifesting symptoms because the vaccine further weakens their immune system for 48-72 hours after application.

No.  But there have been studies that have shown approximately 50% of Bell’s palsy sufferers have some inflammation of the trigeminal nerve.

Bells palsy only affects one side of the face.  After a stroke eye movement is not affected, however Bells palsy impairs eye movement.  A stroke occurs in the brain (Central nervous system), the location of the herpes infection that is causing the swelling is in neural tissue that is outside of the cerebrum (peripheral nervous system).

Myotherapist Roger Morelli at Knead Myotherapy Brisbane has experience rapidly resolving Bell’s palsy using the latest scientific methods – including Low Level Laser.  Low Level Laser is a game changer for rapidly resolving the nerve swelling responsible for facial paralysis and improving the immune response to the herpes virus responsible for the neural swelling causing the paralysis.