Bellse Parese
Your doctor
I am Margarita Petrova and graduated as a paediatrician. After studying medicine, I further specialised in acupuncture. After my medical degree, I worked at the Regional Rehabilitation Centre for 17 years, where my main interest was in treating patients with facial paralysis. In 2008, I moved to the Netherlands. Two years later, in 2010, I founded Acuvitae and since 2013 I have been offering comprehensive rehabilitation to patients with Bell's Disease. In recent years, I have treated about 400 patients with facial paralysis in my practice. In 2017, I successfully completed the assessment procedure for foreign doctors in the Netherlands, after which I further specialised in cosmetic medicine.
Cosmetic Doctor
Margarita Petrova
Cosmetic doctor
BIG registration number:
69918340701
Acupuncturist:
member of the NVA.
Early rehabilitation
In our practice, we offer comprehensive rehabilitation to patients with Bellse paresis. According to research*, people treated within the first 3 days of developing facial paralysis recover faster and more completely.
The goal of early rehabilitation is to achieve maximum improvement in facial muscle work within the first 8 weeks.
Therefore, it is important to start treatment as soon as possible.
But why are the first eight weeks so important?
The problem is, after 8-12 weeks from the onset of the disease with incomplete recovery, the first synkinesis can already be seen. Synkinesis is the involuntary movement of one facial muscle that occurs as compensation for the weakness of the other facial muscles. This phenomenon is incredibly difficult to treat.
In the Netherlands, patients with Bell's disease are referred to a mime therapist only after 8 - 10 weeks. Mime therapy is aimed at reducing synkinesis. It is a good and useful therapy, but unfortunately it can only hide residual symptoms and not restore them. Without treatment, a third of patients with Bellse parese develop synkinesis. Of 200 patients, treated in our practice before the last 3 years, synkinesis developed about in 10% of cases.
The goal of early rehabilitation in Bell's Disease is rapid and complete recovery and the prevention of residual symptoms.
* Margaret A. Naeser (2007), The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
Collaboration
Arjan Verdonk is a physiotherapist and movement scientist at Kinemar, practice for holistic physiotherapy
The aim of physiotherapy is to promote facial symmetry and regain better control of facial movements. This provides more symmetry and control when eating, drinking, talking or expressing certain emotions.
physiotherapist & exercise scientist
Arjan Verdonk
physiotherapist and exercise scientist