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.

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Shop my carefully curated MUST HAVES if you're experincing facial paralysis impacting eye closure. These have been game changers for me!

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

If you're in Central Florida I go to:

Accupuncture of Orlando https://www.aorelief.com/

How to find it near you:

Search:

• "Facial paralysis acupuncture near me"
• "Bell's palsy acupuncture near me"
• "Neurological acupuncture near me"

 2. KLOW

 Why I'm doing it

KLOW combines four peptides that have each been studied independently for different aspects of tissue repair and healing:

• GHK-Cu has been studied for its role in collagen production, tissue remodeling, wound healing, and reducing oxidative stress.
• BPC-157 has been researched for its potential to support blood vessel formation (angiogenesis), connective tissue repair, and healing in tendon, ligament, muscle, and gastrointestinal injury models.
• TB-500 has been studied for its role in cell migration, tissue remodeling, wound healing, and recovery following injury.
• KPV is an anti-inflammatory peptide that has been investigated for its ability to modulate inflammatory signaling and promote resolution of inflammation and is often used in gut healing.

The rationale behind combining these peptides is that they target different phases of the healing process—reducing inflammation, supporting new blood vessel formation, promoting tissue remodeling, and encouraging healthy collagen production.

My goal: Support tissue healing, reduce scarring, optimize the environment for nerve recovery, and reduce inflammation during the healing process. 

Current evidence: ⚪ Emerging

Note: I personally only use and recommend compound pharmacy peptides with physician oversight (not research grade). 

You can shop for the exact KLOW (or other peptide options) that I use here:

👉 Shop Peptides Here

 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).

If you're in Central Florida I go to:

https://reliefnowlaser.com/providers/orlando/

How to find it near you

Search:

• "Class IV laser therapy near me"
• "Bell's palsy laser therapy near me" - then ask specifically for the Class IV laser

 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:

👉 Shop Here and use code KBWellness for your discount

 5. 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)

I get all of my supplements directly from Fullscript, an online dispensary that carries only the highest quality supplements. 

👉 Shop My Fullscript HERE

(note: my dispensary is set to provide ALL shoppers with an automatic 10% discount - no code needed!). 

 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. 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, my accupuncturist administers it during my accupuncture treatment, and I saw no downside in including 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"
• (I'm doing this at my accupuncturist so they may be a good place to check near you as well!) 

8. Lymphatic Drainage/Craniosacral Massage

Why I'm doing it

Following facial nerve injury and surgery, swelling, inflammation, muscle guarding, and restricted tissue mobility can all interfere with comfort and recovery. While these therapies are not intended to regenerate the facial nerve itself, they may help create a healthier healing environment by improving tissue mobility, reducing swelling, and calming the nervous system.

My goal: Reduce facial swelling and inflammation, Encourage healthy lymphatic drainage, Decrease muscle tension and guarding, Improve tissue mobility after surgery, Reduce discomfort and feelings of tightness, Support nervous system regulation and relaxation. 

Current evidence for lymphatic drainage 🟡 Moderate

Research has found that MLD may:

• Reduce post-operative swelling after facial and jaw surgery
• Improve tissue mobility and comfort
• Decrease feelings of tightness
• Potentially shorten the duration of post-surgical swelling in some patients

It is commonly incorporated into recovery after:

• Orthognathic (jaw) surgery
• Cosmetic facial surgery
• Plastic and reconstructive procedures
• Head and neck surgery

Because swelling can place additional stress on healing tissues, minimizing excess inflammation is one of my priorities during recovery.

Current evidence for cranial sacral therapy ⚪ Emerging

Current research suggests CST may help improve:

• Pain
• Muscle tension
• Relaxation
• Stress response
• Quality of life in certain chronic pain conditions

I view it as a supportive therapy that helps reduce muscle tension, encourages relaxation, and complements the other evidence-based treatments I'm using.

 If you're in Central Florida I go to:

Balance Orlando https://www.balanceorlando.com/

How to find it near you:

Search:

Certified Lymphedema Therapist (CLT)

Physical Therapist trained in Manual Lymphatic Drainage

Occupational Therapist trained in MLD

Massage Therapist certified in Vodder, Casley-Smith, or Leduc lymphatic techniques

Licensed Craniosacral Therapist (often PTs, OTs, massage therapists, or osteopathic physicians with advanced CST training)

**For facial nerve recovery, it's ideal to work with someone who has experience treating post-surgical patients or individuals with facial paralysis.

9. Cornea Specialist (Opthamologist, MD)

Why I'm doing it:

My optometrist and opthamologist have explained to me that I am at an increased risk of corneal damage due to the paralysis that can lead to permanent vision loss so I decided to seek out a cornea specialist after much research. 

My goal: Protect and preserve my cornea at all costs! 

What we're doing together:

Continuing with eye taping at night and patching during day

Continue using ointment at night but switching to prescription antibiotic ointment to lower infection risk 

Continue using rewetting drops but switching to autologous tears (made from my own blood spun down to PRP) 

Adding in day time antiobiotic eye drops to lower infection risk 

Check ups every 2-4 weeks using staining to examine eye health and catch thickening or ulcers early

Amniotic membrane if damage progresses 

Considering occuloplastic surgery to insert eyelid weight if paralysis does not resolve

 Current evidence: 🟢 Strong 

How to find it near you

Search:

• Cornea specialist
• Opthamologist with fellowship training in cornea health

Watch this video to learn more about my appointment with the cornea specialist!

 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.

Kristen's Certifications

I am so blessed to have an incredible team of practitioners who share my same mission.

MEET THE KB WELLNESS TEAM

Christine's Certifications

Carrie's Certifications

Christy's Certifications

Kristi's Certifications