Massage Today – My client, a 64-year-old white female, had been experiencing a facial twitch which had become distracting and irritating. When she realized it was occurring more frequently, she went to her physician.
He said it was probably nothing serious and suggested she reduce her coffee intake, which she did. She returned to him a few weeks later when she found the condition was continuing to worsen. Determining the cause of facial twitches, tics, or spasms can be a daunting task. Schimp, (2012) states, “Facial symptoms may be generated by peripheral or central mechanisms that involve neuropathic, neurovascular, or musculoskeletal factors.” Because it had been going on for more than three months, and seemed to be worsening, her doctor referred her to a neurologist. She asked for permission to have it massaged, which he granted. According to Leite, et al, (2014), “Fasciculations are visible, fine and fast, sometimes vermicular contractions of fine muscle fibers that occur spontaneously and intermittently.” This description represents my client’s presentation well. click here for more
