I happened to see Banya Lim, an acupuncturist and Dahn instructor who works at the BR Clinic in Sedona, Arizona, last Saturday after participating in one of Sedona’s Earth Day events (which was a lot of fun by the way). She mentioned facial acupunture to me in passing. Then I saw an article she wrote 3 years ago for body & brain magazine called facial acupressure. She provided the specific points and their order you need to press in order to give yourself a natural face lift. Another benefit from stimulating these points that she mentions is improved digestion since several meridians on the face are related to digestive organs.
Of course, your intentions, thoughts, and emotions influence the effectiveness of acupressure, so it is best to clear your mind and emotions before doing it. You should also relax and give yourself positive messages to maximize the benefit. These practices are good even if you are not doing acupressure.
Try to find the exact points on both sides of the face. Press down firmly but gently on both with equal pressure at the same time. Count to 5 as you press down and then again as you release. If a point is too tender or painful, it is an indication of a blockage in this meridian and possibly problems or weakness in digestion. Press these points gently, unless you cannot press them at all. Repeat the following sequence 2 or 3 times. Then you can go back to any tender points and massage them in a circular motion. I’m sorry I don’t have a picture.
- At the bottom end of the crease at the side of the nostril
- At the top end of the crease
- Straight down from the pupil and one inch down from the lower eyelid where you can find a little dip when you press on it.
- Directly below the pupil and no. 3 and next to the nostril
- Directly below no. 4 next to the corner of the mouth
- In front of no. 7 at the groove
- The part that bulges out when teeth are clenched
- Under the outer cheek bone in line with the end of the eyebrow
- Directly below the outer corner of the eye and under the cheekbone
- In front of the ear where a depression forms by opening the mouth
- About 1/8″ above the inner corner of the eye
- The inner end of the eyebrow
- The outer end of the eyebrow
- At the depression on the outer edge of the eye
I think I will start making this a part of my daily routine. I’ll let you know if I notice any effects.
