What I’m Doing to Support Facial Paralysis Recovery
After experiencing facial paralysis, due to a complication for TMJ surgery, I’ve been using a multi-layered approach to support nerve healing, inflammation reduction, circulation, mitochondrial function, and facial retraining.
I've spent countless hours researching what can help and wishing there was a one stop shop for figuring out what to do.
So I'm sharing it all in hopes that this one stop shop can help someone else out there struggling with Bells Palsy.
A Few Disclaimers
This page is not medical advice.
I'm simply sharing what I'm personally doing in hopes that it helps others learn about the options that exist. Every case of facial paralysis is different, and you should always discuss treatment decisions with your physician or healthcare team.
I also don't know what will work.
I started many of these therapies around the same time, so if I improve, I probably won't be able to say with certainty which therapy deserves the credit—or whether my recovery would have happened naturally over time. My goal isn't to prove that any one treatment works.
My goal is simply to give my body every reasonable opportunity to heal as efficiently as possible.
The Treatments
1. Acupuncture
Why I'm doing it
Acupuncture has been studied as a complementary therapy for facial paralysis and may help support nerve signaling, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and encourage muscle activation during recovery.
My goal: Support nerve healing and improve facial muscle function.
Current evidence: 🟡 Moderate
How to find it near you
Search:
- "Facial paralysis acupuncture near me"
- "Bell's palsy acupuncture near me"
- "Neurological acupuncture near me"
2. Bioresonance / Frequency Therapy
Why I'm doing it
I'm using frequency-based therapy as a complementary approach to support nervous system regulation and overall healing. While research is still very limited, I wanted to include it as part of my comprehensive recovery plan.
My goal: Support nervous system function and create an optimal healing environment.
Current evidence: ⚪ Emerging / Limited
How to find it near you
Search:
- "Bioresonance therapy near me"
- "Frequency medicine practitioner near me"
- "Frequency therapy near me"
3. Class IV Laser Therapy
Why I'm doing it
Class IV laser therapy (also called photobiomodulation or high-power laser therapy) may help improve circulation, reduce inflammation, support cellular energy production, and potentially assist nerve regeneration.
My goal: Reduce inflammation and support nerve healing.
Current evidence: 🟡 Moderate (with emerging evidence specifically for facial nerve recovery)
How to find it near you
Search:
- "Class IV laser therapy near me"
- "Bell's palsy laser therapy near me"
- "Photobiomodulation near me"
4. Red Light Therapy
Why I'm doing it
Red light therapy may help support mitochondrial function, reduce inflammation, improve circulation, and promote tissue repair.
I'm using the MOVE+ by Kineon because it's portable enough to use consistently at home.
My goal: Improve cellular energy production and support healing.
Current evidence: 🟡 Moderate
Get the device I'm using
👉 [Insert your MOVE+ affiliate link]
How to find it near you
Search:
- "Red light therapy near me"
- "Photobiomodulation near me"
- "Red light therapy facial paralysis"
5. KLOW
Why I'm doing it
KLOW is one of the tools I've added to help support circulation, tissue recovery, and my body's overall healing process.
My goal: Support recovery and tissue healing.
Current evidence: ⚪ Emerging
Learn more
👉 [Insert your EllieMD KLOW link]
6. Facial Reanimation Physical Therapy
Why I'm doing it
This is one of the treatments with the strongest evidence for facial paralysis recovery. A specialized facial physical therapist helps retrain the facial muscles, reduce abnormal movement patterns, improve symmetry, and maximize long-term function.
Because specialists are limited, I had to join a waitlist before beginning treatment.
My goal: Retrain my facial muscles and optimize recovery.
Current evidence: 🟢 Strong
How to find it near you
Search:
- "Facial reanimation physical therapy near me"
- "Facial nerve rehabilitation near me"
- "Bell's palsy physical therapist near me"
- "Neuromuscular facial retraining"
7. Supplements
Why I'm doing them
Nerve regeneration places significant metabolic demands on the body. These are the nutrients I'm personally taking to support nerve health, mitochondrial function, antioxidant defenses, inflammation balance, and overall healing.
My current supplement protocol includes:
- Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
- Acetyl-L-Carnitine
- Lion's Mane
- Vitamin D3 + K2
- Zinc
- Vitamin C
- Specialized Pro-Resolving Mediators (SPMs)
- B Complex
- Vitamin B12
- Curcumin
My goal: Give my body the nutritional building blocks it needs to support nerve repair.
Current evidence: 🟡 Moderate (varies by individual nutrient)
Shop my protocol
👉 [Insert your Fullscript link]
I'll Continue Updating This Page
As my recovery progresses, I'll continue updating this page with what's changing, what's helping, what isn't, and anything new I learn along the way.
I hope sharing my journey helps others navigating facial paralysis feel a little less alone—and gives you a starting point for conversations with your own healthcare team.
If you're new here....
Hi, I'm Kristen Blake, MS
I'm the founder and CEO of KB Wellness.
I've had the distinct blessing and honor to work with hundreds of women on finding and reversing the root cause of their symptoms so they can finally achieve health they only thought possible in their dreams.
After decades of chronic illness, I was able to get well when my eyes were opened to functional medicine and holistic health. Fueled with my new passion I went back to school and now hold a Masters of Science in Clinical Nutrition and Human Performance, a Bachelors in Psychology, a certification from the Institute for integrative Nutrition and a certification from the Autoimmune Protocol.
I've since dedicated my life's work to helping women understand their bodies so they can Heal from Within.
Kristen's Certifications
BA. in Psychology and Criminology
University of Maryland
MS. Clinical Nutrition Student
Logan University
Certified AIP
Coach
Autoimmune Paleo
Certified Coach
Institute for Integrative Nutrition
Registered Healer
International Natural Healers Association
Registered Healer
American Holistic Health Association
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Professional Certification
I am so blessed to have an incredible team of practitioners who share my same mission.
MEET THE KB WELLNESS TEAM
Christine Hawes
RN, IFNCP, CHC
Christine combines her 30 years of experience as an RN with her Functional Health and Coaching certifications to guide you through holistic healing. She uses an integrative systems approach to address and reverse root causes of symptoms. Through intensive assessments and personalized attention, she designs a roadmap to optimal health and well-being that is tailored to your unique needs.
Her mission is to empower you to enjoy a long and vibrant health-span. Christine specializes in Metabolic Health & Weight Loss, Brain Health, Inflammation Reduction.
Christine's Certifications
Certified Practitioner
Integrative and Functional Nutrition Academy
Board Certified Nurse Coach (NC-BC)
American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation
Certified Health Coach (CHC)
Dr. Sears Wellness Institute
ReCode Certified Practitioner
Bredesen Protocol
Registered Member
American Holistic Nurses Association
Menopause Coach
Complementary Medical Association (CMA) & Institute of Professional & Holistic Medicine (IPHM)
Certified Functional Medicine Practitioner (CFNMP)
American Academy of Functional Health
Carrie Sink
CHHC, AADP, BCDSS
Carrie combines her Holistic Health Coach certification with additional training in Gut Health and GI Mapping to bring over a decade of personal and clinical experience walking others through holistic gut healing.
She believes in a root cause approach to finding freedom and relief from chronic digestive health concerns.
Her mission is to encourage others that there is hope for healing, and to fall in love with the journey.
Carrie's Certifications
Certified Coach
Institute for Integrative Nutrition
Member
American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP)
Dietary Supplement Specialist
American Association of Natural Wellness Practitioners
Christy Krezel
CHC
Christy holds a Health Coach certification with the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in addition to additional training in GI Mapping and Hair-Tissue Mineral Analysis.
After lifelong health struggles and being repeatedly failed by western medicine, the diagnosis of “bad luck” became not good enough. She particularly enjoys working with children and women who struggle to get real answers.
Christy specializes in gut health, HTMA and has a passion for blood chemistry analysis.
Her goal is to empower others to be their own health advocate while partnering with them on a root cause approach to wellness.
Christy's Certifications
Certified Coach
Institute for Integrative Nutrition
Member
American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP)
Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis Professional Certification
Kristi Sanders
RD, LD, HHP, RWS-P
Kristi Sanders serves as a Registered Dietitian, Restorative Wellness Practitioner and Board Certified Holistic Health Practitioner helping both adults and children with complex health concerns ditch the fatigue, brain fog, gut issues and hormonal imbalances for good!
Her mission is to empower individuals with the knowledge, confidence and tools to take their health into their own hands and restore whole body function. Kristi wholeheartedly believes chronic illness is reversible and disease is not destiny.
She especially enjoys helping individuals overcome concerns in the following areas: gastrointestinal, food sensitivities and allergies, hypothyroid, hyperthyroid, autoimmunity, blood sugar, hormones, liver and kidney health.
Kristi's Certifications
Bachelor of Science in Dietetics
Kansas State University
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist
Institute of Restorative Health
Restorative Health Practitioner – Level 1 (RHP-1)
Institute of Restorative Health
Restorative Health Practitioner – Level 2 (RHP-2)
Institute of Restorative Health
Restorative Health Practitioner – Level 3 (RHP-3)
Institute of Restorative Health
Master Restorative Health Practitioner (MRHP)
Member
American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP)
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