Effectiveness of HBOT Therapy in Facial Paralysis

Idiopathic facial palsy, commonly referred to as facial paralysis, usually has to do with inflammation of the cranial nerve.

Reportedly, it is one such condition that affects the global population where age isn’t a bar. The symptoms appear for a few days before it extends over months.

Patients affected by Bell’s Palsy are known to regain normalcy subjected to treatment in over two to six months. Now, this might sound like things are easy, however, in reality, the symptoms are lingering and are utterly frustrating, further triggering long-term deficits.

This is where Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) has shown great potential as it readily addresses inflammation across any part of the body and thus makes for good use in treating Bell’s Palsy.

This post elaborates on the cause and symptoms of Bell’s Palsy and treatment options using HBOT and hyperbaric chamber price.

What Causes Bell’s Palsy In The First Place?

Typically, Bell’s Palsy is the name given to a neurological condition where there’s inflammation within the cranial nerve.

Now, as the cranial nerve moves through a tiny hole right into our skulls, any inflammation creates additional pressure, thereby restricting the flow of oxygen and blood.

However, with time, the swelling lessens, and the nerve starts to behave normally. In some cases, the damage can be permanent if the inflammation is way too much.

To sort out things for the root cause of Bell’s palsy, there is no straight answer. Research suggests Bell’s Palsy can be an aftermath of other virus-induced conditions that include:

  • Chickenpox
  • Herpes
  • Flu
  • Rubella
  • Mums, and
  • Epstein-Barr

What Are The Symptoms?


Generally, palsy is a short-term paralysis. So, patients diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy generally develop symptoms that include weakened muscles on one side of the face as the condition mostly affects the facial nerves. The commonly observed symptoms include:

  • Raised upper eyelids
  • Drooping mouth, lips, cheek, and eyebrows
  • Increased level of sensitivity
  • Loss of smell/taste
  • Frequent changes in saliva production

One must remember that these symptoms are pretty common and medications can help to a great extent. However, when looking to restore muscle functioning across your face, medications alone won’t be able to do much. This is where adjunct therapies like HBOT can come in handy.

The Role Of HBOT In Treating Facial Paralysis

HBOT as alternative medicine has been used over decades for a multitude of conditions, including critical ones like TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) and stroke. Thus, with Bell’s Palsy, where the main culprit is swelling of nerves, HBOT has been found to significantly help restore the flow of oxygen and blood.

However, one must note that HBOT alone might not help restore normalcy in the case of Bell’s Palsy but can work alongside traditional medicines. In other words, HBOT will help accelerate the healing process by inhibiting inflammation and thereby stimulating overall recovery.

With the introduction of HBOT on the scene, several patients have benefitted as they no longer have to rely on cosmetic interventions to fix things—they can smile normally again, drooling is lessened, upper eyelids work much better, and the loss of smell or taste increases.

While spontaneous recovery takes no less than six months, HBOT has shown impressive results like no other alternative medicines could have done.

According to 2017 study tracing the penetration of hyperbaric chambers in the US reported more than 1000 hospitals having installed hyperbaric chambers. Fast forward to 2022, the number has significantly increased since the onset of the COVID, where HBOT saved the day for many.

Hyperbaric Chamber Price-Does Advantages Weigh Over The Affordability Quotient?

Currently, the treatment for Bell’s Palsy sees extensive use of painkillers and other anti-inflammatory drugs, like Prednisone and others.

Although such medicines help patients, they are known to have their fair share of side effects, whereas adjunct therapies like HBOT have been found to boost recovery. This is because it works at the tissue level for the affected nerves where medicines have far lesser reach.

That brings us to another important consideration; hyperbaric chamber price, where there is more than one factor that comes into play:

  • In the US alone, a typical session witnesses a hyperbaric chamber price to be anywhere between $250-$450 per session, given the location and availability. This is by far one of the major impediments in the way of availing the therapy for many.
  • Besides hyperbaric chamber price, there can be times when the availability is pretty remote from the place you stay. In case the patient’s condition is serious, movement can further compromise things.

Despite all that, the advantages that HBOT brings forth in helping patients with Bell’s Palsy outweigh its shortcomings, chiefly in terms of affordability. HBOT is seemingly one single treatment option that has not only made it possible for patients to recover faster but also do away with the need for invasive surgeries and prolonged physical and restorative therapies.

While hyperbaric chamber price remains a challenge for all those who aren’t covered under a medical plan, you might as well look for renting hyperbaric chambers to bring down the expenses.

Wrap Up

Undeniably, HBOT has more far-reaching benefits for treating cases of Bell’s Palsy than any other adjunct therapy has to offer.

With faster healing time and increased comfort, patients of any age can avail of HBOT as side effects are extremely rare to almost none.

Compared to restorative therapies and invasive surgeries, which come with a long list of risks, HBOT significantly enhances one’s well-being by addressing recurring symptoms.

What are your views on using adjunct therapies like HBOT for non-progressive neurological disorders like Bell’s Palsy?

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