Facial Palsy SA

Facial Palsy SA Facial Palsy South Africa is a clinical initiative dedicated to the rehabilitation, education, and advocacy of individuals affected by facial nerve disorders.

The tumour was removed.The surgery was successful.But the facial weakness, facial tightness, eye problems, and changes i...
21/07/2026

The tumour was removed.

The surgery was successful.

But the facial weakness, facial tightness, eye problems, and changes in facial expression were only just beginning.

For many people undergoing acoustic neuroma (vestibular schwannoma) surgery, the focus is understandably on the tumour itself. Yet when the operation is over, some patients find themselves facing a new and unexpected challenge: learning to live with facial nerve dysfunction.

Depending on the size and location of the tumour and the relationship between the tumour and the facial nerve, facial weakness may occur following surgery.

Patients may experience:
✔ Facial asymmetry
✔ Difficulty smiling
✔ Eye closure problems
✔ Facial tightness and discomfort
✔ Synkinesis (unwanted facial movements)
✔ Changes in speech clarity
✔ Eating and drinking difficulties
✔ Reduced confidence in social situations

These challenges can affect far more than appearance.

They can influence comfort, communication, self-esteem, and quality of life.

The good news is that recovery does not stop when the surgery is over.

Specialist facial rehabilitation can help patients better understand their symptoms, optimise facial movement, improve comfort, and develop strategies to manage the long-term effects of facial nerve injury.

If you are recovering from acoustic neuroma surgery and feel that nobody prepared you for this part of the journey, please know that you are not alone.

There is support available.

Recovery after acoustic neuroma surgery is about more than tumour removal.

If you are experiencing facial weakness, synkinesis, facial tightness, or eye closure difficulties following surgery, specialist facial rehabilitation may help you navigate the next stage of recovery.

In-person consultations in Cape Town
Online consultations throughout South Africa and internationally




One of the questions we hear most often is: "Why does my speech sound different since my facial palsy?"Many people don't...
17/07/2026

One of the questions we hear most often is: "Why does my speech sound different since my facial palsy?"

Many people don't realise that speaking clearly relies on much more than just the tongue. Your lips and cheeks play an important role in producing speech sounds.

They help create a seal for sounds like P, B, M, and W, V, shape vowels, and control the airflow needed for clear speech.

When these muscles become weak following facial palsy, speech may sound less precise. You may notice that people ask you to repeat yourself, tell you that you're mumbling, or comment that your words sound "slurred."

The good news is that, for many people, speech clarity improves as facial movement, strength, and coordination recover.

Facial palsy affects much more than appearance. It can influence communication, eating and drinking, eye closure, facial expression, and confidence.

Understanding why these changes occur is the first step towards managing them, and knowing that you're not imagining them.

Have you noticed changes in your speech following facial palsy?

You're not imagining it.

Many people experience temporary or ongoing speech changes as a result of facial weakness.

Cape Town consultations
Online consultations nationally and internationally




When facial asymmetry persists after facial palsy, it can be tempting to think that weakening the unaffected side is the...
15/07/2026

When facial asymmetry persists after facial palsy, it can be tempting to think that weakening the unaffected side is the simplest solution.

In reality, it's usually not that straightforward.

The unaffected side of the face is often doing exactly what it should be doing, providing normal movement, facial expression, speech support, eating function, and eye closure.

While Botox can sometimes be used strategically on the unaffected side, our primary goal is usually to improve movement quality and control on the affected side rather than weaken the healthy side.

Why?

Because the unaffected side serves as an important model for recovery.

During facial neuromuscular retraining, we often use the unaffected side as a reference for:
✔ Movement amplitude
✔ Timing of facial movements
✔ Muscle coordination
✔ Facial expression patterns
✔ Symmetry goals

The healthy side provides valuable information about how the face is designed to move naturally.

Excessive weakening of the unaffected side may:
• Reduce facial expression
• Affect smile quality
• Impact speech and eating function
• Limit the patient's ability to use the unaffected side as a movement reference
• Create a less natural appearance
• Leave patients feeling "flat" or expressionless

At Facial Palsy SA, we aim to restore balance, not simply reduce movement.

For many patients, specialist facial rehabilitation, neuromuscular retraining, and carefully targeted treatment of synkinesis can help improve facial symmetry without relying heavily on Botox to the unaffected side.

Every face is different.

Every facial palsy is different.

And every treatment plan should be individualised.

The goal is not to make the stronger side weaker.

The goal is to help the face move more comfortably, efficiently, and naturally as a whole.

Botox can play an important role in facial palsy management, but it is only one part of a comprehensive treatment approach.

Understanding when to treat, where to treat, and how treatment may influence facial recovery is essential.

Cape Town consultations
Online consultations nationally and internationally

These photos were taken approximately eight weeks apart.When this patient first contacted Facial Palsy SA, she was strug...
13/07/2026

These photos were taken approximately eight weeks apart.

When this patient first contacted Facial Palsy SA, she was struggling with the long-term effects of Bell's palsy. Facial tightness, discomfort, asymmetry, and reduced confidence had become part of her daily life.

Like many people living with facial palsy, she wasn't just dealing with changes in facial movement.

She was also dealing with the emotional impact of looking in the mirror and not quite recognising the face looking back.

Today, we're celebrating progress.

Not perfection.

Not a complete recovery.

Progress.

Because every small improvement in comfort, control, symmetry, and confidence matters.

Too often, people are told that if they haven't recovered within the first few months, there's nothing more that can be done.

This simply isn't true.

While every recovery journey is different, many individuals can continue to make meaningful improvements with the right guidance, education, and rehabilitation.

Sometimes the biggest step forward begins with finding the right support.

Photos shared with patient permission.

If you are living with facial tightness, synkinesis, facial asymmetry, or ongoing symptoms following Bell's palsy, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, surgery, or facial nerve injury, specialist facial rehabilitation may help you better understand your condition and maximise your recovery potential.

In-person consultations in Cape Town
Online consultations throughout South Africa and internationally


Many people recovering from facial palsy describe a type of fatigue that others struggle to understand."Why am I so tire...
09/07/2026

Many people recovering from facial palsy describe a type of fatigue that others struggle to understand.

"Why am I so tired?"

"Why does my face feel worse at the end of the day?"

"Why does smiling feel like hard work?"

The answer lies in the fact that recovery requires much more than nerve healing.

After facial nerve injury, your brain and nervous system are working overtime.

They are constantly:
✔ Relearning movement patterns
✔ Coordinating weakened muscles
✔ Compensating for facial asymmetry
✔ Processing altered sensory feedback
✔ Suppressing unwanted movements such as synkinesis

Tasks that once happened automatically may now require conscious effort and concentration.

Many people also experience emotional fatigue. Living with facial palsy can affect confidence, social interactions, communication, and self-image. Constantly thinking about your face, managing symptoms, or worrying about how others perceive you can be mentally draining.

It is also common for facial movement to feel more difficult later in the day. As physical and mental fatigue accumulate, the nervous system may become less efficient, making facial tightness, asymmetry, or unwanted movements more noticeable.

If you are feeling exhausted during your recovery, it does not necessarily mean that something is wrong.

Recovery is hard work.

Be patient with yourself, celebrate small victories, and remember that healing requires energy.

If recovery feels exhausting, it doesn't mean you're failing.

Healing, adaptation, and relearning require energy. Every small step forward is part of the process.

If you are struggling with facial fatigue, facial tightness, synkinesis, or ongoing recovery following facial palsy, specialist facial rehabilitation may help you better understand and manage your symptoms.

In-person consultations in Cape Town
Online consultations throughout South Africa and internationally

Contact Facial Palsy SA to learn more about specialist facial rehabilitation and recovery support.

When people think about facial palsy recovery, they often focus on the facial nerve. But there is another remarkable par...
07/07/2026

When people think about facial palsy recovery, they often focus on the facial nerve. But there is another remarkable part of the recovery process: Your brain.

Every time you practice a carefully guided facial movement, your brain is learning.

This ability to adapt and reorganise is called neuroplasticity, and it plays an essential role in facial rehabilitation.

Recovery isn't simply about waiting for a nerve to heal. It's about teaching the brain and facial muscles to work together again, improving movement, coordination, and control, and reducing unwanted movements such as synkinesis.

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is: "It's been over a year... I guess this is as good as it's going to get."

Fortunately, that's not always the case.

While nerve regeneration follows biological timelines, the brain remains capable of learning throughout life. With the right rehabilitation approach, many people continue to make meaningful improvements in facial function, comfort, and confidence long after their initial injury.

Recovery isn't just healing. Recovery is learning.

Neuroplasticity reminds us that recovery is an active process, not simply something we wait for.

If you're living with facial palsy or synkinesis and would like to better understand your recovery potential, specialist facial rehabilitation can help guide your journey.

In-person consultations in Cape Town
Online consultations throughout South Africa and internationally



"It just dawned on me, your kindness is making me cry. Thanks very, very much for your generosity and your help."These w...
03/07/2026

"It just dawned on me, your kindness is making me cry. Thanks very, very much for your generosity and your help."

These words came from a patient living with the long-term effects of Bell's palsy.

Like many individuals affected by facial palsy, her journey did not end when the initial weakness improved.

She continued to experience facial tightness, discomfort, asymmetry, and the emotional impact of living with a face that no longer felt familiar.

Many people with facial palsy tell us they feel isolated, misunderstood, or unsure where to turn for help. They are often told to "just wait" or that nothing more can be done.

But facial palsy is about more than movement.

It can affect confidence, comfort, social interactions, and quality of life.

At Facial Palsy SA, we believe that every person deserves to be heard, understood, and supported throughout their recovery journey. While we cannot change what has happened, we can help patients better understand their condition and explore options to improve facial function, comfort, and control.

Sometimes the most powerful part of rehabilitation is simply knowing that you do not have to face it alone.

Shared with patient permission.

Many people living with facial palsy feel that others do not fully understand what they are experiencing.

At Facial Palsy SA, we do.

If this story resonates with you, we invite you to reach out and learn more about specialist facial rehabilitation.

In-person consultations in Cape Town
Online consultations nationally and internationally

Contact Facial Palsy SA to learn more about specialist facial therapy.



When people hear the words facial palsy, many assume it's a rare condition. The reality is quite different.Every year, t...
01/07/2026

When people hear the words facial palsy, many assume it's a rare condition. The reality is quite different.

Every year, thousands of people around the world experience facial paralysis or facial nerve disorders. Yet because facial palsy is often misunderstood, many people feel isolated and believe they are the only ones facing this journey.

Facial palsy can occur for many different reasons, including Bell's palsy, Ramsay Hunt syndrome, stroke, trauma, tumours, neurological conditions, surgery, and congenital conditions.

For many, the challenges extend far beyond facial weakness. Facial palsy can affect eye closure, speech, eating and drinking, facial comfort, confidence, emotional wellbeing, and everyday social interactions.

At Facial Palsy SA, we believe that greater awareness leads to earlier recognition, better support, and improved access to specialist rehabilitation.

If you or someone you know is living with facial palsy, remember this: You are not alone, and there is support available.

Together, we can help raise awareness about facial palsy and ensure that more people receive the understanding and support they deserve.

Share this post to help educate others about the realities of facial palsy.

In-person consultations in Cape Town
Online consultations throughout South Africa and internationally



✨ PATIENT TESTIMONIAL ✨“After the trauma of a brain tumour, my nephew suffered from facial palsy. Food and water leaked ...
29/06/2026

✨ PATIENT TESTIMONIAL ✨
“After the trauma of a brain tumour, my nephew suffered from facial palsy. Food and water leaked out when eating and drinking, his eyes could not close properly, and he had very little facial expression.

Huge progress has been made through the care and support received at Facial Palsy SA. The team is kind, extremely professional, and incredibly patient, with the wonderful ability to explain complex concepts in a way that is easy to understand.

My nephew has benefitted tremendously, and I would highly recommend Facial Palsy SA to anyone in need of facial therapy.”

Facial palsy rehabilitation is about so much more than movement; it’s about restoring function, confidence, comfort, and quality of life.

At Facial Palsy SA, specialist facial neuromuscular retraining is tailored to each individual’s recovery journey.

In-person consultations in Cape Town
Online consultations available nationally and internationally

Facial palsy affects far more than facial movement. For many people, it changes how they see themselves, communicate wit...
26/06/2026

Facial palsy affects far more than facial movement. For many people, it changes how they see themselves, communicate with others, and feel in everyday life.

Grieving the face you once knew is a deeply personal experience, and it is a valid one. Feeling sadness, frustration, anxiety, or a loss of confidence does not make you vain. These emotions are a natural response to a significant life change.

Recovery is about more than restoring movement. It also involves rebuilding confidence, reconnecting with others, and learning to adapt with the right support.

If you or someone you love is living with facial palsy, know that you do not have to navigate this journey alone.

Facial Palsy SA offers specialised facial rehabilitation with consultations in Cape Town, as well as online appointments for patients across South Africa and internationally.

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