The Center for Facial and Functional Recovery

08/26/2025

08/13/2025

At CFFR we see patients from all over the world via our telehealth program. This is a great option for people who do not have providers in their immediate area with a strong understanding of facial paralysis.

For patients who want to travel to the clinic from out of the area we do a telehealth session first to make sure we have the best plan, and that this would be the right option for them.

We do not participate with insurance. For people with synkinesis, the severity of the case impacts how many times Synkineedling would be necessary.

To set up a telehealth consultation, please email info@facialrecovery.com.

07/23/2025

Here are some suggestions to help ease any appearance-related insecurities associated with facial paralysis.

1. Wear glasses 👓- order a pair of clear lenses if you don’t usually wear glasses.
2. Change the part in your hair. 🙎‍♀️
3. Change the color of your hair.👩🏻‍🦰
4. Suggest work calls be made more fun by wearing crazy hats.👒
5. Use makeup to even out the height of your eyebrows or lips. 💄
6. Wear colorful jewelry.💍
7. Wear a bright scarf.🧣
8. When looking at the screen have your head slightly turned to the right or the left. (Play with this one by taking a picture of yourself and see if one side looks better than the other).
9. Facial hair for men is a good distraction. 👨🏻
10. Perform massage and stretching techniques before you start a call.
11. Use moist heat before you start talking at length.
12. Try to give yourself a break time wise between calls to rest your face. 🫶
13. Practice relaxation breathing! 💨

07/17/2025

💡The platysma encompasses the fibers that blend along your cheek, mouth, chin, jaw line and neck.

➡️ That’s why it’s extra important to make sure these muscles are not tight if you’re suffering from facial paralysis.

To counteract this, we stretch the platysma. Stay tuned for a video demonstrating this. 🎞️

06/25/2025

🌟 Social Media and Marketing Manager🌟

Location: Mostly remote but local to DMV

Job Type: Part-time: 5-10 hours per week
Salary: $25-30 per hour

———————————————
Job Description:

We are looking for a Social Media and Marketing Manager to join our team at The Center for Facial and Functional Recovery and The Foundation for Facial Recovery. In this role, you will be responsible for developing and executing social media strategies across multiple platforms, ensuring brand consistency, and increasing audience engagement. If you’re passionate about social media trends, data analytics, and content creation, this role is perfect for you!

Key Responsibilities:

Content Strategy & Creation: Develop and execute social media content plans aligned with brand objectives. Create engaging posts, graphics, and videos for platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, as well as making occasional changes to the website.

Community Engagement: Monitor social media channels for audience interactions, respond to comments, and engage with followers to foster community growth.

Campaign Management: Lead the ex*****on of social media campaigns, including paid and organic strategies, to drive awareness and engagement.

Trend Monitoring: Stay up-to-date with the latest social media trends, platform updates, and best practices to keep the brand on the cutting edge of digital marketing.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

Graphic design skills or proficiency in design tools like Canva, Photoshop, or Adobe Creative Suite.

1-3 years of experience managing major social media platforms (Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube).

Excellent communication, writing, and editing skills.

Ability to work independently with minimal management.

Familiarity with SEO, paid social campaigns, and basic digital marketing principles.

Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Communications, or a related field (preferred but not required).

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with video production/editing for social media platforms.

Knowledge of Google Analytics.

↘️ To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Luis@facialrecovery.com

06/20/2025

🌟Wow! 🌟

Thank you to everyone who has been a part of our community from the very beginning, and for those just joining us recently. It means so much to us to impact people around the world and spread awareness for facial paralysis.

06/16/2025

We use Gua Sha stones at the center to aid in facial massage. Gua Sha stones offer a range of benefits, including improved blood circulation, reduced inflammation, and muscle relaxation. They can also promote lymphatic drainage, reduce puffiness, and even help relieve muscle pain and tension.

05/12/2025

👀 Newly diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy? Here’s what to do:

1️⃣ Seek a medical professional to place you on high dose steroids for 2 weeks and anti-virals.
2️⃣ Use preservative free eye drops every 2-3 hours, and seek an opthamology consultation.
3️⃣ Protect the eye; moisture chamber is highly recommended.
4️⃣ Stop chewing gum.
5️⃣ Wear swim goggles when you shower.
6️⃣ Use warm compresses on the face and gently massage the area.
7️⃣ Contact us for an appointment if you have any further questions or concerns. 240-833-2921 ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀⠀

03/31/2025

The Center for Facial and Functional Recovery is proud to present an invaluable opportunity to learn the groundbreaking Synkineedling™ technique specifically designed for individuals with facial palsy. Join us in Madrid on September 21 and 22 for an immersive hands-on instructional event. To ensure an exceptional learning experience, participation is limited to just 18 therapists who are already certified in dry needling techniques. For further details, please reach out to info@facialrecovery.com.

Facial anatomy consists of 17 paired muscles and one unpaired muscle, uniquely structured to originate from bone and insert directly into the skin. Unlike other muscles in the body, the facial muscles are layered and interconnected through fascial tissue, which can develop adhesions that disrupt their natural function. Understanding these connections is key to unlocking improved facial movement.

Synkineedling™ is an innovative technique pioneered by Jodi Barth, PT, co-founder of The Center for Facial and Functional Recovery. This advanced dry needling method targets and releases fascial adhesions that hinder muscle mobility. Utilizing a single-use, sterile, monofilament needle, and guided by ultrasound, Synkineedling™ effectively breaks up areas of restriction and enhances the freedom of facial muscle movement. This revolutionary approach significantly improves neuromuscular synkinesis—those involuntary, unwanted movements—allowing for more coordinated and efficient facial expressions. Comprehensive ultrasound assessments of facial muscles suffering from synkinesis reveal not only tissue flattening but also the presence of fascial adhesions that compromise mobility.

Additionally, our trigger point dry needling technique serves as an essential treatment for addressing pain and movement dysfunctions related to myofascial trigger points. By strategically inserting thin needles into or near these trigger points, we stimulate muscle contraction and twitching, resulting in enhanced pain relief and a greater range of motion.

Don’t miss the chance to enhance your skills and make a profound difference in the lives of individuals facing facial paralysis. Join us in mastering Synkineedling™—a transformative approach to facial recovery.

03/23/2025

🌀What is ZSH? A variant of Ramsay Hunt without the hallmark rash.

🌀Symptoms: ZSH tends to be preceded by pain which then continues after onset of the facial weakness.
Other symptoms include: loss of taste, hypersensitivity to sound, inability to close the eye after 10 weeks of onset, balance issues, hypersensitivity to light, and/or ringing in the ears.

🌀Treatment: If these intensive symptoms are present, a long course of anti-virals are recommended.

03/06/2025

What is one thing you can do to spread awareness this week?

Share your journey? Write to your doctors about how important it is that they stay informed about facial palsy? Thank the professionals that helped you and let them know what was actually helpful?

✨There are so many small things you can do to make a difference!

02/10/2025

💡Guess what?!

If you are a PT who is interested in learning more about treating facial palsy, we created an online course! We can’t wait to hear what you think!

https://www.myopainseminars.com/courses/cat-67-facial-palsy/