Crystal Touch Bell's Palsy Clinic Opiniones 

I Regained My Smile and My Confidence

After my first episode of facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy) in 2012, followed by several recurrences in the years that followed, I struggled for a long time with its consequences. In addition to the physical symptoms, the changes in my facial appearance, my limited facial expressions, and the impact on my self-confidence were particularly difficult.
Since the beginning of 2017, I have been receiving treatment and support from Crystal Touch. Initially, the sessions took place regularly at their clinic in Rotterdam, and later they were continued partly online. Both forms of treatment worked extremely well for me, allowing me to receive continuous professional support regardless of distance or location.
Through the holistic approach, combining targeted relaxation techniques, therapeutic massage, and personalized facial exercises, I gradually regained greater control over my facial muscles. The tension in my face decreased, the symmetry improved significantly, and my natural facial expressions slowly returned.
One of the most valuable achievements for me was learning to smile naturally again. After facial paralysis, this is by no means something that can be taken for granted. Crystal Touch helped me restore the balance in my face and regain a natural, expressive appearance.
It is also important to emphasize that successful recovery does not depend on the treatments alone. You must be willing to work on yourself every day, practice the exercises consistently, and persevere even during difficult periods. Without discipline, patience, and commitment, lasting improvement is difficult to achieve. The professional guidance from Crystal Touch provided me with the right direction, motivation, and support throughout this journey.
Even after experiencing additional episodes of facial paralysis, most recently in 2021, Crystal Touch continued to support me with outstanding expertise, personal care, and genuine dedication. Their support extended far beyond treating the physical symptoms; they also helped me cope with the emotional and psychological challenges that accompanied the condition.
To this day, I continue to visit Crystal Touch in Rotterdam approximately twice a year and regularly attend online sessions to maintain the progress I have achieved. I would especially like to thank Elena for her exceptional expertise, remarkable dedication, and compassionate holistic approach. Both Elena and Alex provide highly professional, individualized care and have played a significant role in improving my quality of life. They have given me back not only my smile but also my confidence and joy in life.
Crystal Touch has helped me regain far more than my smile—it has restored my confidence, my natural appearance, and an important part of my happiness.

Birgitta, 65 years old, Germany

I first found Crystal Touch while searching for help with the long-term effects of facial nerve damage after surgery. Although my nerve had partially recovered, I was left with synkinesis, facial tension, and frequent headaches, especially around my forehead.

What started as rehabilitation for my facial nerve became much more than that. Over the years, the team helped me understand how tension, stress, and muscle patterns affect not only facial function but also overall well-being.

The initial focus was on reducing facial and shoulder tension and improving the effects of synkinesis. However, one of the most valuable parts of the process was learning practical techniques that I could continue using in my daily life. These tools have helped me manage tension more effectively, feel better physically, and improve my overall quality of life.

The care at Crystal Touch is highly professional, personal, and focused on long-term results. I am very grateful for the support and knowledge I have received throughout the years, and I would highly recommend the clinic to anyone dealing with the long-term consequences of facial nerve injury or synkinesis.

Innovative Treatment

I have attended the Crystal Touch Clinic in Rotterdam on five occasions to date (May 2025 - May 2026). A sixth visit, a maintenence session, is planned for later this year.
I have found the Crystal Touch experience most beneficial. To my great relief my symptoms (synkinesis, tightness of facial muscles) have improved under the individualised treatment regime directed and monitored by Dr Elena Pashova. Her kindness and skill are truly remarkable.
On my first and fifth visits Dr Alex Pashov performed nerve conduction tests on my face, all the time clearly explaining the procedure, advising on the management of symptoms and interpreting the findings. The positive feedback was both swift and reassuring.
The unwavering commitment of the Pashov team to resolving issues related to Facial Palsy is impressive. Their skill and depth of knowledge are exceptional and matched only by their patience and empathy.
This treatment regime does not come with facile promises of a "silver bullet" solution or complete recovery. What it does work to bring about, however, is an improvement in symptoms and, hence, in quality of life. And to this end, in my case, it certainly delivered.
To create the optimal conditions for such improvement the patient must actively engage in the process, commit to the daily exercises at the recommended frequency and intensity and follow advice on lifestyle. This I have done and the outcome has been rewarding and pleasing.
I am very grateful for the assistance of Drs Elena and Alex Pashov (and that of Jana during the first session). They have helped me to resolve many issues related to my symptoms.
My Crystal Touch journey is ongoing and will be based on the techniques and insights I have learned and now use daily to manage my symptoms.
I am delighted with this outcome.
Finally, but very importantly, I am most grateful to Bea Fricova, the office administrator, for her warm welcome on arrival and her efficient management of schedules and queries.

I have a long-term, bilateral facial nerve paralysis that has affected facial control and smiling. The first paralysis did not fully recover, and synkinesis developed afterward. Later, I experienced a new facial paralysis on the other side as well. This affected my appearance, self-esteem, and confidence, especially at work and in social situations.

Previously, I felt that the treatment I received was handled at too general a level, and my concerns were not always fully understood. I found Crystal Touch Clinic myself while searching for alternative options. From the very first contact, the treatment felt individualized and professional. I have traveled from Finland to attend the clinic in person, and in addition, we have worked together through regular remote sessions. My facial muscles and nerve condition were explained clearly, and I have received precisely targeted exercises and hands-on treatments.

Early on, I noticed that through the treatments and exercises, my facial muscles began to relax and my facial symmetry improved. I have learned how to consciously relax my face, which has helped me control my expressions and made my smile feel more natural.
The treatment has also had a significant positive impact on my mental well-being. I have learned to accept myself better and no longer feel ashamed of my facial movements. Improved facial control has increased my confidence in social situations and at work.

Exceptional specialized treatment for Bell's Palsy - The team at Crystal Touch is outstanding and their treatment went above and beyond all my expectations. Helena very gifted in what she does. Her care and kindness improved not only my face but set me on a better path of balanced living. Highly recommended and worthwhile the trips to Rotterdam for it.

I found Crystal Touch Clinic through an internet search. I had been affected by facial palsy due to a brain injury for 6 years at my initial visit. The previous advice I received felt generic and it was difficult for me to fully trust the recommended courses of action. Nobody had even suggested that I have a nerve conduction test done. I decided to travel from the US to Rotterdam for treatment because I could tell immediately from my informational call with Alex that they had a unique method. For the first time I was able to understand my situation clearly and the program was tailored to my specific needs. I finally felt that I had a roadmap to follow that made sense to me intuitively. From the first visit I felt changes in my facial muscles and after a few months I began to see movement in muscles that had been dormant for years. It is important to be patient, persistent and relaxed because the program takes time and dedication. It is necessary to engage with the process and take ownership; one of the reasons why Elena's guidance is so effective is because she makes adjustments based on your feedback and observations. I feel very lucky to have found Crystal Touch Clinic to help me on my recovery journey and am grateful to continue to benefit from their expertise and care.

My name is Evelyn, I am 50 years old, and I live in Germany. At the end of 2009, following a severe cold, I developed facial paralysis (Bell’s palsy). I underwent treatment with cortisone and speech therapy; I tried acupuncture, and about five years after that, I turned to craniosacral therapy. Unfortunately, everything remained unsuccessful. I developed severe muscle tension and synkinesis. As a result, I avoided looking in the mirror or being photographed, and I felt quite uncomfortable during professional interactions.
By chance, I came across the Crystal Touch website. For the first time, I felt a glimmer of hope that there might still be a way to look "normal" again.
I decided on the Hybrid Program and traveled to the Crystal Touch clinic for the first time in early October 2025. Alex gave me a very friendly welcome and performed a nerve conduction study. He used the results to explain exactly how synkinesis occurs and shared the most important news for me: my nerves had recovered and my muscles were still functional. This brought me immense relief and joy, as I had previously been told that my muscles would simply atrophy over time.
Then I met Elena, a very warm-hearted and empathetic woman, and received my first treatment. Afterward, my facial muscles felt relaxed for the first time, and my face felt more symmetrical. She patiently showed me specific exercises (Crystal Points) and explained how to relax my face.
Following this, I had three online sessions with Jana, who was also incredibly patient, attentive, and friendly. We expanded on the exercises and clarified any questions. Through these exercises, I could feel my face and my expressions changing. I reached a point where I could move my mouth without my eye closing involuntarily. My forehead and neck area also felt much softer.
In February, I returned to the clinic. Through treatment and conversation, Elena adjusted my exercises, which led to further improvement, especially in the chin and mouth region. Once again, it was a wonderful experience defined by understanding, exchange, and valuable tips that I can apply to my daily life, regardless of my facial condition.
I had my most recent visit to the clinic in April. After the treatments, my very tense jaw and neck area felt much softer and more relaxed. My face is now much more symmetrical, and the unwanted movements between my mouth and eye (synkinesis) have significantly diminished. Elena has provided me with new exercises specifically tailored to my face's current progress, and she will continue to support me on my journey to a natural smile.
I am very happy and grateful that there is indeed a way to counteract synkinesis. Crystal Touch has given me the opportunity to work on the symmetry of my face—to be able to talk and gentle smile again without feeling ashamed.
A heartfelt thank you goes to Elena, Alex, and the entire Crystal Touch team. With your passion and empathy, you help people like me regain one of the most valuable things we possess: our smile (even if I still have a bit of a way to go myself)

What could be more sobering than this?
You’re barely in your twenties, and you’ve already lost hope of ever smiling again. For a year you hear the same thing: there will be no improvement, after six months you need to accept it and move on. And then — just over a year later — the same thing happens again, on the other side. And now you’re not just crushed. You simply don’t understand what is happening. And neither does anyone else — for 15 years.
Facial paralysis has its causes and consequences, but there is one indelible effect — both the causes and the consequences are always with you. And everyone can see them. This is not gastritis or a heart attack that you can keep to yourself. Facial palsy will introduce you to people faster than you can say “good morning.” The person standing in front of you will have already formed an opinion about you — and drawn their own conclusions.
It is so incredibly hard to bear that unless you have been in a situation where people constantly ask “what’s wrong with your face” — you cannot fully understand. Hundreds of times you learn that people are not always the wonderful, well-meaning creatures you hoped they were.
I tried everything I could reach, in many countries around the world. The feeling of being unable to close my eye or simply smile was unbearable. And I didn’t even realize how utterly exhausting it all was — psychologically, emotionally, physically. What a mark it left on me and on my life. How many times I tried to understand why that guy on a date asked, first thing, why my eyes looked different and my mouth was always crooked.
Now you have a chance to rediscover yourself and find the answers. You might even want to.
And just as the illness — invisibly and suddenly — turned my life upside down, recovery slowly, quietly, but suddenly turned it upside down again. So completely that I could not believe it was real.
After five years of working with this clinic, I can say thank you — not only to the doctors, but to the illness itself. The clinic turned out to be more extraordinary than the disease ever was. Or maybe that’s just my experience? 🦋