We’ve all looked in the mirror and found something that we’ve deemed less than desirable. Perhaps it’s those hyperpigmentation spots on your cheekbones, or those frown lines starting to form between your eyes. Whatever it is, it’s usually something that only bothers you, but it doesn’t matter, once you see it, you can’t unsee it. These facial changes can be due to genetics, aging, diseases and medications, or injuries. To address these issues can involve a lot of time, energy, and funds -testing out creams, investing in injectables, or even committing to surgery. But what if there was a less-invasive, scientifically backed treatment to address these issues? Let us introduce you to facial acupuncture, a scientifically backed treatment that can stimulate the body’s own natural healing systems to gently initiate and support the healing of these issues.
Facial acupuncture is a practice developed over hundreds of years in ancient Asia, stemming from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to enhance health and beauty without invasive measures. It involves the insertion of stainless steel needles into specific areas of the face, as well as sculptural facial massage, and the use of gua sha, a treatment that involves the use of smooth-edged rounded tool to apply pressure to areas of the face. Through a combination of these three techniques, facial acupuncture can help address and resolve the issues you see in the mirror.
There are two main benefits of facial acupuncture that can help a variety of conditions and symptoms. The first is the release of muscular tension aroundthe face and jaw. This is mainly achieved through accessing pressure points through acupuncture or facial massage. The second is the increase of collagen and circulationthrough the stimulation of blood flow through gua sha and acupuncture. A combination of releasing muscular tension and stimulating the production and circulation of collagen and blood can greatly improve the health and beauty of facial skin.
Some other symptoms and conditions that facial acupuncture can treat include the following:
1. TMJ-RelatedPain
The joints that attach the jaw to the skull, called thetemporomandibular, can become inflamed and painful over time, due to factorssuch as stress, jaw injuries, teeth grinding (bruxism), or evennail-biting. TMJ disorders can rangefrom mild to severe and can lead to sleep disruptions, changes in diet andeating habits, and an increase in headache frequency. Facial acupuncture can release the tension inthe jaw, increase blood flow to allow for healing, and decrease discomfort inthe jaw and around the ears.
2. Tight Neck Muscles
Neck muscles can become tight and painful due to a variety of factors, including computer work or driving for long hours, whiplashand other MVA-related injuries, sleeping on the wrong type of pillow, and stress. While neck muscles are small incomparison to leg and back muscles, their pain can pack a punch. Neck muscle pain can radiate down into the traps, arms, and upper back, and lead to increases in headaches, stiffness, andpain when turning and moving the head. Facial acupuncture can alleviate these symptoms through acupressure massage and trigger point release.
3. Bloating and Puffiness
Bloating and puffiness can occur for both males and females, and can be a sign of an underlying condition such as edema, fluid retention due to dehydration, a thyroid condition, or a sensitivity to certain foods or medications. Facial acupuncture aims to reduce swelling while searching for the root of the cause of this symptom. A Traditional Chinese Medicine doctor can use a combination of medical history analysis as well as hands-on assessment to determine the cause of facial bloating and puffiness, while decreasing its prominence through accelerated lymphatic drainage.
4. Scars and Acne
Facial scars and acne can impact a person’s body image and social interactions over the years. Facial acupuncture can not only reduce the intensity of scars and acne, but also increase feelings of self-acceptance and confidence. Using a customized combination of techniques,a TCM doctor can help stimulate collagen production, leading to the healing of facial scars. A TCM doctor can also reduce the frequency of acne breakouts through the assessment of hormonal, dietary,and lifestyle factors that can impact the occurrences of acne production.
These are just a few of the many ways that facial acupuncture can reduce theseverity, intensity, and frequency of various facial ailments orconditions. If you or someone you know is experiencing any of these symptoms, we encourage you to visit us at EvolveTherapeutic, where our skilled team of Acupuncturists can help you and with your specific facial needs. If you have questions about whether facial acupuncture is right for you, give us a call at 604.273.1764 and we would be happy to answer your questions!
