Dr. Alex Pashov
Dr. Alex Pashov is a neurorehabilitation specialist and the co-founder of Crystal Touch Bell’s Palsy Clinic in Rotterdam. Since 2008, he has worked with people recovering from Bell’s palsy, Ramsay Hunt syndrome and synkinesis, with a focus on the late stages of recovery, from 9 months to more than 30 years after the onset.
At a glance
Focus
Late-stage recovery after Bell's palsy, Ramsay Hunt syndrome and synkinesis
1,200+
Online diagnostic consultations since 2020
Membership
World Federation for NeuroRehabilitation (WFNR)
Scientific publications
Including the Journal of the Neurological Sciences (2019). Presentations at congresses.
Research
Developer of the clinic's extended Nerve Conduction Study protocol and of the Synkinetic Correlation Test
Book
Author of Recovery After Bell's Palsy and Ramsay Hunt Syndrome (2026)
About Alex
Alex co-founded Crystal Touch in 2008 together with Elena Pashova, the founder of the clinic’s Neuro-Proprioceptive Rehabilitation method. While Elena leads the treatment sessions, Alex leads the clinic’s diagnostics and research: he measures the condition of each patient’s facial nerve, explains what can still improve, and tracks progress during the rehabilitation program.
His main interest is what happens after the acute phase: why some people are left with synkinesis, tightness, pain and asymmetry, and how these complications can be reduced years later without surgery. He shares this knowledge through the Bell’s Palsy Knowledge Base, webinars, seminars and his book.
Diagnostics he developed
Extended Nerve Conduction Study
Synkinetic Correlation Test
1,200+
online consultations since 2020
Online consultations
Since 2020, Alex has conducted more than 1,200 online diagnostic consultations with patients from around the world. Most of them are in the later stages of recovery, from 9 months to more than 30 years after their facial palsy. In a video consultation, he reviews the recovery history, assesses the current condition and explains what improvement is realistic.
Research and publications
Alex leads the clinic’s scientific research on the complications of long-standing Bell’s palsy.
2021
2019
2019
2018
2018
Congress presentations
2019
XXIV World Congress of Neurology (WCN)
2018
International Congress for Facial Surgery
2017
4th European Congress of NeuroRehabilitation (ECNR)
2016
9th World Congress for NeuroRehabilitation (WCNR)
2015
3rd European Congress of NeuroRehabilitation (ECNR)
2014
8th World Congress for NeuroRehabilitation (WCNR)
2013
XXI World Congress of Neurology (WCN)
2012
3rd International Congress on Neurorehabilitation and Neural Repair
Read the abstracts of his presentations on synkinesis at WCN 2019, ECNR 2017 and the origin of synkinesis at WCNR 2016.
His book
Recovery After Bell’s Palsy and Ramsay Hunt Syndrome: Answers to 90 of Your Most Pressing Questions
In September 2026, Alex published Recovery After Bell’s Palsy and Ramsay Hunt Syndrome: Answers to 90 of Your Most Pressing Questions. Written in English, it has been translated into Russian (to be published soon), and Dutch, German, French and Spanish translations are in progress.
Teachings and Outreach
Seminars, workshops and webinars
Together with the Crystal Touch team, Alex has given seminars and workshops for Bell’s palsy and Ramsay Hunt syndrome patients in:
Europe
Rotterdam, 2012 to 2018
London, 2018
Vienna, 2019
Moscow, 2013, 2017, 2019, 2020
Americas
Philadelphia, 2016
Rio de Janeiro, 2017
Gramado, 2019
Fortaleza, 2022
The clinic has also held online webinars for patients in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2025, and ran advanced rehabilitation programs at the Crystal Touch Face Sanatorium in Zell am See, Austria, from 2013 to 2025.
Helping children
Since 2013, Alex and Elena have run the humanitarian project «Bring Back Your Smile!», which helps children with facial palsy free of charge.
In the media
Fantástico, TV Globo (Brazil), 2017
A report on the clinic’s non-invasive approach to long-term facial paralysis and synkinesis, with the stories of patients who improved years after their Bell’s palsy. Extra published with TV Globo’s permission.
Read Gabriela’s story.
"Olhos que Sorriem" (Smiling Eyes), 2021
A three-episode documentary series about people living with long-term facial paralysis, created by TV Globo journalist Gabriela de Palhano, who completed the Crystal Touch program.
Watch the series on Blanktape’s website.
Articles by Dr. Alex Pashov
Speak with Dr. Pashov
If you are living with the after-effects of Bell’s palsy or Ramsay Hunt syndrome, you can book a video consultation with Dr. Alex Pashov. He will review your history, assess your current condition and explain what improvement is realistic for you.
