Bowen on… Bell’s Palsy

Each year in the UK, around 1 in 5,000 people develop Bell's palsy, which is characterised by a rapid onset of facial weakness. The condition can develop at any age, but is most common in those aged between 15 and 60 years.

    

In about 71% of patients, it resolves spontaneously without treatment, but 13% are left with slight facial weakness and 16% with moderate to severe weakness that results in major facial dysfunction and disfigurement.

    

Bell's palsy is due to inflammation of the facial nerve in the internal auditory canal, which results in isolated unilateral lower motor neurone palsy, with impairment of all facial movements on the affected side, including blinking.

    

Conventional medical treatment includes eye protection, drugs (i.e. corticosteroids, antivirals), surgery and physiotherapy. However the Bowen Technique has been successful in treating the condition.

 

By releasing stress at a very deep level, via its calming effect on the Autonomic Nervous System, Bowen sets the scene for the body to heal itself. In contrast to many other hands-on therapies, Bowen does not attempt to force the body to change; rather it asks the body to recognise and make the changes necessary to bring it back to homoeostasis (physiological equilibrium).