Facial exercises have been promoted to treat everything from facial paralysis to wrinkles. Although some studies show positive results, not everyone is convinced.
Physial Therapy and FlexEffect
Physical therapist Deborah Crowly did an independent study and found that all participants experienced firmer facial muscles. Crowley invented the FlexEffect Facial Resistance Training program. FlexEffect is used also for patients with Bells Palsy.
Sleep Apnea Exercices
A study done in Brazil showed that exercises for the face and tongue reduced the severity of obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition where a person's airway is blocked during sleep. This can cause their breathing to become shallow and sometimes the person can't breathe at all.
Facial Neuromuscular Retraining
Studies done by Balliet (1982) and Ross (1991) showed that neuromuscular retraining techniques are effective for regaining muscle control in patients suffering facial paralysis from a facial nerve injury. Facial neuromuscular retraining exercises are done with EMG feedback.
Examples
Examples of exercises for sleep apnea include sliding your tongue back along the roof of your mouth and using your toothbrush on your tongue. Exercises were done for 30 minutes a day. Other exercises include shutting your eyes as hard as you can and pursing your lips.
Not Convinced
The Department of Dermatology at Cleveland University did their own study and concluded that there has not been enough evidence to say that facial exercises meant to treat wrinkles or loose skin actually work.
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