The effects of stress is felt not only on the inside of our bodies, but also on the outside – and one of the most obvious ways we show stress is in our face. Our facial muscles tense up, contort, and tighten, causing creases and wrinkles.
Chinese facial massage treatment helps us beat the stress lines and wrinkles to relax and rejuvenate. By engaging 25 different pressure points on the face (as well as two on the hands), Chinese massage can tone, uplift, remove tension, reduce facial lines and increase circulation to the face. Chinese facial massage is even used to treat palsy, facial tics, eye droop, sinus problems (great for when you have a head cold!), TMJ, and scars.
In the first phase of the facial massage, your masseuse will target specific pressure points on the face to stimulate the lymph nodes in your face. By massaging these points, excess fluid and other waste products will drain from the facial muscles, and blood flow to the area will increase. Then, in the next phase, instead of using oil or lotion, your masseuse will use pure honey – a natural product. Honey is a humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture. Later on in the massage, your masseuse may also use such products as macadamia nut oil, which is rich in antioxidants, specifically a substance called squalene that naturally occurs in the skin to help protect us from the sun’s harmful effects.
You can seek out a Chinese facial massage from a local professional with a quick Google web search for Chinese massage establishments in your area. Often those licensed in Chinese medicine will also offer facial massage services. If you have trouble finding Chinese massage services in your area, don’t stress! Chinese facial massage techniques are also easy to learn and there are plenty of instructions available online for you to practice – either individually or with a partner. Remember, all Chinese medicine emphasizes prevention over cure. Just like we should wear sunscreen in our youth, it’s important to seek out a facial massage before we let stress overwhelm us. With proper practice, facial massage can be an effective preventative therapy for the damage that stress can do to our face.
Check out these instructional videos:
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