Facial Tapping

Facial Tapping – with physiotherapy lupetape

I've contacted clinical experts in facial tapping to research how i would use it with a patient who has a dense right sided lower motor neuron facial weakness. Here are the two main ways tapping is used:

1.       Facilitator Tapping – tape acts like a sling to actively lift the face up. Keeps muscles in a shortened more aligned position to make them easier to activate. E.g. lifting up the mouth corner/ assist with lip closure. Could use when completing facial exercises.

2.       Inhibitor tapping – Can be used therapeutically. If the affected side is underactive and the unaffected side overactive e.g. if the nasolabial fold is pulled towards the unaffected side. Tape applied in a downward direction in the line of the labionasal fold and anchored with tape on the chin. Used with reminders to relax the unaffected side and downward stretches. Often at NHNN advice is given to the patient to support the weaker side of the mouth with the palm of hand when talking e.g. with arm on a desk.

I've also found that completing facial exercises with facial tapping using a mirror allows the patient to get extra feedback on the muscles they are activating. The tape will crinkle when a muscle is activated under it, hereby showing even small amounts of muscle activation.