Bell’s palsy is the most common form of peripheral paralysis. Within this, Bell’s palsy is the most common. I have written about this in detail in one of my previous articles. In short, the most effective treatments are physiotherapy, electrotherapy, and soft laser treatment. In this article, I will describe soft laser treatment for peripheral Bell’s palsy.
For the treatment of Bell’s palsy, I consider the devices of the 3rd laser class, such as the Personal Laser L400 and the Energy Laser L500 Pro.
For more information on soft lasers, read one of my previous articles Soft Laser Treatment Basics. It tells you that Class 3 lasers are the highest energy lasers available for home use. With this class of lasers, treatment is fast and effective.
The Importance of Soft Laser Treatment after facial paralysis
The main cause of facial nerve paralysis is that the nerve fibre (due to some effect) swells (becomes oedematous) and therefore the nerve fibre becomes “trapped” in the “bone tunnel” through the skull bone.
The nerve fiber is damaged because the swelling causes it to press against the bone and this impairs its circulation and function. By reducing oedema around the nerve fibre, we can minimise the damage to the nerve fibre.
Soft laser treatment should be started as soon as possible after a nerve palsy.
Soft laser treatment stimulates microcirculation and improves blood circulation reducing oedema. Edema reduction is a short-term effect of laser therapy.
Significance of permanent soft laser treatment
The brain and nerves are very sensitive. Thus, in most cases, hours can pass between the onset of paralysis and hospital admission or completion of investigations.
Therefore, the nerve fibre has already been damaged to some extent by the time the first treatment begins.
facial nerve paralysis (nerve damage) is one of the slowest conditions to heal. Even ideally, it takes several months of treatment to reduce symptoms.
While facial nerve paralysis can heal on its own in some cases, it is not possible to predict in advance who will be fortunate.
This is why we need to use physiotherapy, electrical stimulation, and soft laser treatments over a long period of time, typically at least 3-6 months.
Soft laser treatment helps and supports nerve regeneration and thus speeds up the healing process.
Recommended literature: Aghamohamdi D, Fakhari S, Farhoudi M, Farzin H. The Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Bell’s Palsy in Diabetic Patients.J Lasers Med Sci. 2020 Summer;11(3):310-315. doi: 10.34172/jlms.2020 .52. epub 2020 Jun 21. PMID: 32802293; PMCID: PMC7369545.
Soft laser treatment of Bell’s palsy
The facial nerve has three main branches that supply the facial muscles. It is not certain that all three branches are equally damaged in your case.
Possible treatment points of facial nerve paralysis.
If you can’t close your eyes, but retain the functions of the other branches, it’s enough to just treat along the top two lines, all the way down to the ear.
If you can’t frown, close your eyes, your mouth is stuck, you can’t “whistle”, then you have to treat all the way through all the points.
Always start treatment at the point behind the ear. Never miss this one.
Then treat from the midline along the run of the nerve to your ear.
At each point, keep the device there for some time. How long depends on the power of the device. Preferably hold the device perpendicular to the skin, touching your skin.
Treatment with the Personal-Laser L400
The Personal-Laser L400 is the world’s smallest class 3 laser soft laser. It is barely thicker and longer than a man’s thumb. Its battery provides about 2 hours of treatment on a single charge.
The laser beam area is 1 cm2. Its small beam diameter makes it excellent for local treatment of facial nerve paralysis.
The laser beam is 808nm wavelength, i.e. infrared, invisible to the eye. The red light of the device is not the laser itself. It is only used to indicate operation and to guide (“aim”) the treatment.
The laser beam is 400mW continuous. This means it emits 4 Joules of energy every 10 seconds and lets you know this by beeping.
Unless otherwise ordered by your doctor, follow this general treatment plan if you have a Personal Laser L400.
| 1 week | from week 2 until no complaints | |
| Behind the point | 3 beeps (12 Joule) | 2 beeps (8 J) |
| Two points along the facial nerve | 2 beeps (8 J) | 1 beep (4 J) |
[message title=”Personal Laser L400 Soft Laser” title_color=”#ffffff” title_bg=”#1e73be” title_icon=”” content_color=”#000000″ content_bg=”#ededed” id=””]
- Laser power class 3
- 808 nanometer laser beam
- CW (continuous wave) laser
- 400 mW power
- 12.5 sec / 5 Joule
[/message]
Treatment with Energy-Laser L500Pro
The Energy-Laser L500 Pro is a class 3 laser soft laser. Its battery provides about one and a half hours of treatment on a single charge.
The laser beam area is 1 cm2. Its small beam diameter makes it excellent for local treatment of facial nerve paralysis.
The laser beam is 808nm wavelength, i.e. infrared, invisible to the eye. Like the other device mentioned above, the red light of the device is not the laser itself. It is only used to indicate operation and to guide (“aim”) the treatment.
The laser beam is 500mW continuous. This means it emits 5 Joules of energy every 10 seconds and lets you know this by beeping (beeping once).
Additionally, unless otherwise ordered by your doctor, follow this general treatment plan if you have an Energy-Laser L500Pro.
| 1. week | from week 2 until no complaints | |
| Behind the point | 2 beeps (10 Joule) | 1 beep (5 J) |
| Two points along the facial nerve | 1 beep (5 J) | 1 beep (5 J) |
[message title=”EnergyLaser L500 Pro Bluetooth Soft Laser” title_color=”#ffffff” title_bg=”#1e73be” title_icon=”” content_color=”#000000″ content_bg=”#ededed” id=””]
- 3rd laser power class
- 808 nanometer laser beam
- CW (continuous wave) laser
- 500 mW power
- 10 sec / 5 Joule
- Android app – Bluetooth connection
[/message]
Supplement with electrotherapy
Soft laser treatment is an effective treatment for facial nerve paralysis. However, it is not a substitute for electrotherapy, but a complement to it. In this article, you can read about the electrical treatment of facial nerve paralysis.