Osteopath's Advice: Where Does Facial Asymmetry Come From And Is It Possible To Correct It Without Surgery

If you take a closer look at your appearance, you will probably notice a number of features in it: for example, one eyebrow may be located slightly higher than the other, one eye may be slightly smaller than the other, and the chin may deviate from the center line of the face.

Many people think that such features are the absolute norm. So, you can often hear the phrase “everything in the body cannot be symmetrical,” and this is partly true. However, even asymmetry has its own permissible boundaries, beyond which it begins to cause discomfort.

But what kind of inconvenience can face asymmetry cause? Please note: people with severe asymmetry usually have symptoms such as migraine, malocclusion, vision, chronic sinus inflammation, cerebrovascular accident and other unpleasant conditions.

If you have facial asymmetry, it means that the bones in your facial skull are not positioned correctly. And since the skull is a single whole, this also means that not only it is displaced, but also the bones of the whole body. In short, there is scoliosis. By the way, in order to diagnose "scoliosis", a specialist does not need to take an X-ray of the spine, because an asymmetric face simply does not exist with a symmetrical body (read also: "Rejuvenating facial massage: the most effective techniques").

So, we come close to the root cause of asymmetry - birth trauma. What is birth trauma? This is not only a severe disorder in the classical sense (fractures, dislocation of the cervical vertebra, hemorrhage, etc.). Such conditions are rare. Here we are talking primarily about the displacement and compression of the bones of the skull, which the child receives during childbirth. This happens in 95% of cases, since any deviation from the correct position of the mother's pelvic bones and any disturbances in the course of labor lead to birth trauma. The consequences usually appear and become visible much later. There are quite a few of them: from the "classics" - scoliosis, hallux valgus, flat feet - to visual impairments, problems with sleep, migraines, etc.

Is it possible to "straighten" the face and how to remove asymmetry?

Like other consequences of birth trauma, it is impossible to remove asymmetry in adulthood. By this time, all parts of the body have already been formed, and this cannot be changed by any influence. In rare cases, small improvements can be achieved through osteopathic treatment.

But the question still remains open, because facial asymmetry is a sign of birth trauma. And this means that there are other consequences: flat feet, scoliosis, etc. There are many of them, they significantly worsen the quality of life and contribute to the development of other disorders arising from them. In adulthood, it is not possible to completely eliminate them, however, osteopathic treatment can prevent a sharp deterioration and significantly improve the patient's well-being and quality of life.

What exactly can be corrected?

In most cases, facial asymmetry goes side by side with facial swelling. And it's not about salty food at night or alcohol. The disturbed position of the bones of the skull contributes to the clamping of blood vessels, as a result of which blood and lymph cannot flow normally from the head. And since the vessels through which blood flows from the face pass through the neck and, in part, through the base of the skull, it is not difficult to draw a direct connection between the displaced bones and swelling. Add asymmetry here, and the conclusion becomes obvious: it is a matter of birth trauma and displacement of bones.

And yes, you can work with it. It is always possible to reduce puffiness. Moreover, birth trauma affects not only the bones of the skull: the consequences "go down", passing through all parts of the human body - the vertebrae are displaced, the bones of the pelvis and sacrum unfold. If the body is built through osteopathic treatment, the result will manifest itself at all levels: somewhere more, somewhere less, depending on the severity of the birth injury, the presence of acquired injuries and other aggravating factors, but nevertheless, you will make a significant contribution to health. As a result, you can significantly reduce or completely disappear pain in the joints and muscles, in the spine, headaches, improve posture, sleep, libido and more vitality.

Independent work: how to improve your appearance at home?

As we have already clarified, it is impossible to correct asymmetry in adulthood, especially on your own. However, it is possible to reduce the swelling, which will have a beneficial effect on the overall visual effect and will undoubtedly improve your well-being. In this case, your main task is to release blood vessels and improve the outflow of blood and lymph. To do this, first of all, you need to work well with the neck area. Our selection of exercises will help you.

Exercise "Pinching"

Perform short but palpable nips with the palms of your neck and shoulders. Grab the opposite shoulder girdle with the palm of your left hand and powerfully remember it with short pinch movements, then move to the right half of the neck. Now with your right hand grab and work the left shoulder and the entire left neck. Use pinches to "wash" this area thoroughly - this will improve blood circulation.

Exercise "Leech"

Another effective exercise for relaxing your neck muscles. Place your palm on the back of your neck from the opposite side: the point is that the palm should stick to the skin. Stretch your hand in your direction, while the palm should remain "stuck" to the neck - pull the muscles along with the skin and smooth them out properly.

Now move your palm a little higher and move in the same direction. It is important to work out every centimeter of the neck surface - only in this case the exercise will be performed efficiently and will give the desired effect. Change your hand and gently but firmly wash the surface of the neck in exactly the same way on the other side.

Self-massage

Perform a light facial massage every day in the form of a so-called finger shower and smoothing movements from the center of the face up and to the sides.

Massage

A good massage therapist is a great solution. If the massage therapist knows osteopathic techniques, this is ideal. Professional massage is important not just as a beauty procedure: the right techniques can improve blood circulation, the outflow of fluids from the face and relieve puffiness (see also: "What is chiromassage, and why you should try it (instructions included)").