Welcome to the website for Facial Therapy Specialists International. Please find below, information about the members of our team as well as additional information regarding our team:
Our Team
The Facial Therapy Specialists International Team
- 11th International Facial Nerve Symposium in Rome, April 2009.
- Special event led by inspirational world leaders in facial rehabilitation.
- The event created an atmosphere of openness, learning and sharing of best practice.
- Despite the conference being multidisciplinary and including surgeons, physicians, researchers and therapists there were no professional boundaries.
- Integration between the professional groups led to a unique opportunity for sharing knowledge, enthusiasm and ideas with the common goal being a strive for excellence in the management of facial nerve disorders.
- A group of enthusiastic and innovative therapists specialising in facial rehabilitation from UK NHS centres in Birmingham, East Grinstead and Southampton.
- Included speech and language therapists, physiotherapists and psychotherapists.
- Despite knowing of each others specialist centres this was the first opportunity we had to get together in what was an inspiring location to discuss facial matters.
- Founding members:
- Catriona Neville (ESP Physiotherapist at Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust)
- Lorraine Clapham (Superintendant Physiotherapist, Southampton General Hospital)
- Vanessa Venables (Advanced Specialist Speech and Language Therapist, QVH NHSFT)
- Sally Glover (Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, University Hospitals Birmingham NHSFT)
- Dr Theresa Rose (Consultant Psychological Therapist, QVH NHSFT).
- Through discussion we recognised the similarities and differences in our practice, the range of outcome measures we were using and the difficulties associated in undertaking quality research in this area.
- We also had the opportunity to share patient experiences and innovative ideas for patient care.
- We were all enthusiastic and recognised the need to progress the field of facial nerve rehabilitation in the UK.
- Knowledge and expertise of facial nerve function and recovery
- Ability to educate the patient
- Ability to educate other professions
- Functional rehabilitation of the face
- Psychological support
- Chemodenervation
- SEMG assessment and biofeedback
- Acupuncture
- Social interaction skills training
- Strategies to enhance facial appearance
- Establishing best practice.
- Setting standards for assessment, outcome measures and management.
- Collaboration for research including peer support and opportunities for multi-centre trials.
- Providing support network and training for all therapists involved in facial rehabilitation.
- Improving access for patients to quality regional care following facial palsy.