The Facial Muscle Exercise Program (FMEP) is used for
patients who exhibit a labial/facial flaccidity (lip/face
weakness), and/or oral dysphagia (difficulty chewing,
difficulty with tongue movement/strength, etc.). FMEP is
a conservative treatment modality, which promotes,
maintains, and/or preserves the physiological integrity
of the muscle and its functional components. It is used
with icing techniques, facial massage, tongue/lip
exercises (oral motor exercises), deep pharyngeal
neuromuscular stimulation, and speech tasks.
The Facial Muscle Exercise Program is indicated for patients who:
Have had a stroke and demonstrate right/left face, lip, and/or tongue weakness (up to 3 years after stroke).
Have Bell’s Palsy
Have Adult Hypotonia (decreased tone)
Have Oral Dysphagia (lip/facial hypotonia)
The Time Machine, an over-the-counter non-medical product, uses interrupted direct, or pulsed current with a one-second “on” and a one-second “off” automatic timing mechanism. The machine has been marketed for 8 years. It allows low voltages of 15, 18, and 20 volts in the positions of “low”, “medium” and “high” degrees. In order to get good conduction, a transmission gel is used.
The pulsed current allows the muscles to contract. The muscle contractions increases muscle tones, increases blood flow, reduces edema, and increases muscle strength.
The FMEP Treatment Program consists of:
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (15-20 minutes)
Labial/Facial Icing (5 minutes)
Labial/Facial Massage and Tapping (5-10 minutes)
Infraorbital Neural Stimulation (30-50 probes per session)
Oral Motor Exercises with Tapping (15 minutes/ Deferred to Home Program)
Home Program with Icing and Oral Motor Exercises (Patient/Family Education).
The Facial Muscle Exercise Program is indicated for patients who:
Have had a stroke and demonstrate right/left face, lip, and/or tongue weakness (up to 3 years after stroke).
Have Bell’s Palsy
Have Adult Hypotonia (decreased tone)
Have Oral Dysphagia (lip/facial hypotonia)
The Time Machine, an over-the-counter non-medical product, uses interrupted direct, or pulsed current with a one-second “on” and a one-second “off” automatic timing mechanism. The machine has been marketed for 8 years. It allows low voltages of 15, 18, and 20 volts in the positions of “low”, “medium” and “high” degrees. In order to get good conduction, a transmission gel is used.
The pulsed current allows the muscles to contract. The muscle contractions increases muscle tones, increases blood flow, reduces edema, and increases muscle strength.
The FMEP Treatment Program consists of:
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (15-20 minutes)
Labial/Facial Icing (5 minutes)
Labial/Facial Massage and Tapping (5-10 minutes)
Infraorbital Neural Stimulation (30-50 probes per session)
Oral Motor Exercises with Tapping (15 minutes/ Deferred to Home Program)
Home Program with Icing and Oral Motor Exercises (Patient/Family Education).