Treatment of facial muscles affected by Bell's palsy with high-voltage electrical muscle stimulation.

OBJECTIVE: This report discusses high-voltage electrical muscle stimulation and chiropractic manipulation used to treat two patients who suffered from Bell's palsy. CLINICAL FEATURES: Case A: A 15-yr-old with left sided facial palsy was seen 2 days after the onset of symptoms. Upon observation, the left upper and lower eyelids were drooping and the left eye had excessive tearing. Motion palpation indicated multiple fixations in the cervical spine. Laboratory studies showed a microcytic anemia. A clinical diagnosis of Bell's palsy (House-Brackmann Grade V) and microcytic anemia was made. Case B: A 17-yr-old with left sided facial palsy was seen 8 days after onset of symptoms. Upon observation, the patient showed left sided facial paralysis and an inability to close the left eye completely. Motion palpation indicated multiple fixations in the cervical spine. A clinical diagnosis of Bell's palsy (House-Brackmann Grade V) was made. INTERVENTION AND OUTCOME: 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.
CONCLUSION: Both patients benefited from these procedures with complete resolution of symptoms. The techniques outlined should be used at an early stage to accelerate progress toward normal facial muscle function.