For many individuals living with the long-term effects of facial palsy (Bell’s palsy, Ramsay Hunt Syndrome), finding specialized care can be a fragmented and controversial journey. Crystal Touch Clinic, located in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, serves as a dedicated center for international patients seeking to recover from residuals and complications like synkinesis, facial asymmetry, and contractures.
Why patients fly to Crystal Touch Bell’s Palsy Clinic
Patients from around the globe travel to our clinic because we are the only facility specializing exclusively in long-term facial palsy rehabilitation. While many medical professionals offer advice for the acute phase, Crystal Touch focuses on patients whose recovery has stalled, often seeing individuals who have lived with symptoms for months, years, or even decades.
Our specialists, including Elena Pashova and Dr. Alex Pashov, bring over 25 years of experience directly to your recovery. We utilize advanced diagnostic tools to “see” your nerve functionality, such as:
- Nerve Conduction Study (NCS): To objectively measure the regeneration level of each facial nerve branch.
- Synkinetic Correlation Analysis: To analyze the level of synkinetic co-contraction between muscles compared to a healthy side.
NPR Method vs. US Standard Care
International patients, particularly from the US, often report a significant difference between the Neuro-Proprioceptive Rehabilitation (NPR) method and the standard care they received at home.
- Standard Care Limitations: Many patients from the US and UK arrive after being told by multiple consultants that “there is nothing more we can do”. Standard treatments often involve Botox injections, acupuncture, or invasive plastic surgery. Furthermore, some traditional physical therapy suggests active voluntary exercises that may actually facilitate the formation of synkinesis.
- The NPR Difference: The NPR method is a non-invasive, painless approach that does not use Botox, fillers, or surgery. Instead, it treats synkinesis as a conditioned reflex that can be reversed through negative feedback, conscious relaxation, and restoring the symmetry of brain signals to the face. Our goal is to address the root causes of facial tension and “teach” muscles to relax.
Travel Logistics: Getting to Rotterdam
We have structured our programs to accommodate overseas patients by increasing intervals between clinic visits to 10–12 weeks, or offering hybrid and online-only options for those who cannot travel frequently.
- Flights: Most international patients fly into Schiphol (Amsterdam) Airport, which offers direct train connections to Rotterdam Centraal. Alternatively, Eindhoven Airport is an option.
- Accommodation: The Postillion Hotel is the most convenient option, as it is located directly in the World Trade Center building where the clinic is situated. Other nearby options include the NH Atlanta, The James Rotterdam and more.
- Visa Information: While the sources do not provide specific visa requirements, international patients are encouraged to check the current Dutch entry requirements for their specific country of origin.
- Navigating Rotterdam: The clinic is centrally located and accessible via a 10–15 minute walk from the central station or a short tram/metro ride to the Beurs stop.
Success Stories from US, UK and International Patients
Our patients’ journeys highlight the transformative nature of specialized rehabilitation:
- Susana (Texas, USA): After being told surgery was her only hope for chin dimpling, she achieved facial symmetry and pain relief through a 6-month online program.
- Staci (USA): Having been discharged by three different US healthcare systems, she regained eye closure and smile function through a combination of in-person and Zoom sessions.
- Jamie (Canada): After three years of synkinesis and neck contractures that standard physiotherapy failed to fix, Jamie found that the NPR method diminished synkinesis and restored self-confidence.
- Viky (International): Noted that after Botox and other therapies failed to resolve a persistent tense spot near her mouth, the clinic’s specialized massages and exercises provided lasting relaxation.
Cost estimation
While traveling for specialized care involves an investment, our patients consistently report that the results justify the expense.
- Initial step: a personalized online diagnostic video consultation with Dr. Pashov is available for €145 (around $171). This is the first step before you begin any rehabilitation program. During this session we will analyse your case, share what results you can realistically expect to achieve with NPR treatment. We answer all of your questions, and explain which option (in-clinic, hybrid or online) may have the most optimal balance of results and financial/time investment. You will decide for yourself which option you prefer, and if you would like to proceed with the rehabilitation program.
- The final cost of the full rehabilitation program will depend on which option you choose, where you live, and how many sessions you will need to achieve positive results. We will discuss all of this during the initial video consultation. If you would like to get the gist of the rehabilitation prices, please read through the detailed descriptions of our programs: in-clinic program, hybrid program, and online program.
- Patient perspective: patients like Alina Lozovskaia have noted that while the treatment is “not cheap,” the improvement in symmetry and psychological confidence was “absolutely worth it”. Viky Garcia shared that the program requires an investment of time and money, but for her, it was “worth every euro and every second” because it gave her hope when she had none.
You can read all of these reviews in depth on our Google profile.
For any questions, you can always contact us.
