Everybody Hurts Sometimes – Bell’s Palsy
Facial Nerve
Stuff happens. Friends tell you, “Life is an adventure.” Yet when you hurt you don’t want to hear that from well-meaning friends. I know a person who recently experienced a difficult physical event. What a shock! This is really happening? Maybe I could change it by not acknowledging it. Nope. Doesn’t work. Why me? Argghhhh. What was it? Bell’s Palsy.
Do you know what Bell’s Palsy is? Bell’s Palsy is a syndrome that affects the facial nerve, and causes the facial muscles to become weak or paralyzed. One side of the face is paralyzed from the eye, to the nose, mouth and cheek. Yes, it heals… it just takes several weeks and depending on the person and severity 3-6 months of healing, and even up to over a year. Here is an excellent site for more information on Bell’s Palsy. The Mayo Clinic also offers a good explanation, and you can click here for the medical information. If your child has it, you may appreciate the site for Kid’s Health here.
Who gets it? Female or male persons who are older or younger, pregnant or diabetic, or experiencing a viral attack. It’s debilitating and embarrassing to face physical situations. Bell’s Palsy can strike slowly or immediately. It is hard to explain that you can’t taste your food or smile, it is hard to blink your eye, and you may feel a little confused or depressed. No matter what the reason it’s not pleasant. Little things can make a difference, however, and one in particular is to think positively. Acknowledge how you feel and put it into words in a different form, like music.
Sing. That’s right! Even though you’re in pain, you feel a little sad, take a moment and make up a poem, a song, and sing it. The emotion can ride the waves of the pain and you can rise above it like riding the surf. On a You Tube video, you’ll find the song “Everybody Hurts” sung by R.E.M. Click here and sing along.
Find Words to Support You
It would help if you had the words – right? Okay. Below you will find the words to the song. By the way, finding your words and talking over how this syndrome or any difficulty affects you gets it out. Releases the burden of holding it all inside and gives you release. There is a magic about sharing it with someone who cares and listens.
I wondered how someone who is in front of the camera deals with Bells Palsy. Apparently, there is quite a list of stars from George Clooney, Pierce Brosman, Allen Ginsberg, and Maggie Davis. John Sudworth talking about Bell’s Palsy from the BBC News described it as “one half of my face has decided to go on strike.” Maggie Davis includes many stories from easy to tough on the BP trek. Words can be inspirational, and hearing another’s story can give you hope.
What Else Helps when “part of you is paralyzed”?
It’s a great resource to have a Practitioner of EFT help, as tapping is a good resource with a guide. Guided Visualization for ‘progressive relaxation’ can ease the face and body, and aid in healing the mind and body. At Apositiva we have people willing to work with you, and we teach both EFT or Emotional Freedom Technique and Guided Visualization or Self-Hypnosis.
Practitioners in Yoga, Chiropractic, Massage, and Acupuncture can make a difference in speeding the healing. Anita Tadavarthy of the Metis Acupuncture Clinic offers gentle and nurturing treatments. Remember to enjoy good sound healthy eating of a nutritious diet rich in Vitamin B12 and Folate makes a difference. Prayer, meditation, Reiki, and Guided Visualization support your energy and mind. It’s most important to take care of yourself, rest and heal.
Can I Do a Session on the Phone?
Yes! Guided Visualization and Emotional Freedom Technique can be easy and comfortable in your own home when you can’t get outside. You can call us for an appointment over the phone and have a session in the comfort of your own home. When you have the time to talk, call us at 503-525-0595 or [@encode@ email=”catwilsoncoach@gmail.com” display=”e-mail Cat Wilson”] (she’s a good listener) and set up an appointment. In the meantime, check out the You Tube video mentioned by R.E.M. and sing along. I suggest waving your arms above your head (which will make you feel more active and make you smile).
Everybody Hurts
by R.E.M.
When the day is long and the night, the night is yours alone,
when you’re sure you’ve had enough of this life, well hang on.
Don’t let yourself go, everybody cries and everybody hurts sometimes.
Sometimes everything is wrong. Now it’s time to sing along.
When your day is night alone, (hold on, hold on)
if you feel like letting go, (hold on)
when you think you’ve had too much of this life, well hang on.
Everybody hurts. Take comfort in your friends.
Everybody hurts. Don’t throw your hand.
Oh, no. Don’t throw your hand.
Don’t throw your hand
If you feel like you’re alone, no, no, no, you are not alone
If you’re on your own in this life, the days and nights are long,
when you think you’ve had too much of this life to hang on.
Well, everybody hurts sometimes,
everybody cries. And everybody hurts sometimes.
And everybody hurts sometimes. So, hold on, hold on.
Hold on, hold on. Hold on, hold on. Hold on, hold on. (repeat & fade)
(Everybody hurts. You are not alone.)