Q Are there facial muscle exercises I can do at home? I've also heard they can do harm if done wrong.
A In front of a mirror, gently practice closing the eye, pursing the lips, and wrinkling the forehead three times a day. Excessive force can worsen synkinesis, so don't overdo it.
Detailed Answer
Facial rehabilitation exercises help prevent atrophy of the paralyzed muscles and stimulate nerve signals. In front of a mirror, gently perform exercises such as closing the eyes, raising the eyebrows, puffing out the cheeks, and practicing mouth shapes, 5 to 10 times each, three times a day. However, applying excessive force can trigger synkinesis, in which unintended muscles contract together, so it is important to control the intensity.
Korean Medicine Clinic Perspective
At Dongjedang, we find that facial muscle exercises are doubly effective when done together with recovery-phase circulation treatment. Applying a warm towel to the back of the neck, around the ears, and the face for 2 to 3 minutes before exercising opens the blocked channels of qi and blood and increases the benefit of the exercises. At each visit we check the correct exercise posture and intensity to guide you in not overdoing it.
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