Did you know that there are acupressure points on the face? These points are particularly effective in relieving tension and headaches. Acupuncture is a practice of Chinese origin, which has become popular due to its many benefits.
In this article, we'll explain where these points are located, and how to use acupressure and moxibustion to relieve your symptoms.
What is acupuncture?
Originating in China, acupuncture is an ancestral therapeutic practice, just like Qi Gong. This practice is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine which consists of applying needles which can be made of copper or silver to specific areas of our face or body. Each of the areas to which we will apply the needles has its own function in our body.
At first glance, you may think that an acupuncture session may be painful, but this is not the case. Indeed, when we apply the needles, the softness is quite weak, almost non-existent. You will probably feel a pinch, but this is completely normal since acupuncture releases endorphins which will later help alleviate pain. So for the most sensitive among you, don't be afraid and pay attention to these professionals.
How to find acupuncture points?
Each acupuncture point helps meet a specific need. If you want to stop smoking for example, you must stimulate the point called Bai Hui which is at the top of the head, just at the top of the hairline. Acupuncture is one of the best remedies for smoking, so you should not neglect it.
To find acupuncture points, you must first locate the acupuncture points, before indicating which are the most useful. For this, professionals help themselves with their “cun”. The “cun” translates to inch and a cun therefore corresponds to the width of one’s thumb. So, you must start from a specific area of the face and measure the distance expressed in cun.
Acupuncture points for the face
There are several acupuncture points on the face and the points that are the most useful among them are:
- The third eye
Located in the middle of the 2 eyebrows, the third eye helps reduce migraines and headaches.
- The door to consciousness
The door of consciousness is on the back of the neck, one on the right and one on the left) and is used to calm and reduce nausea as well as eye pain.
- The point of the fragrance
Finally, we have the fragrance point which is one cun outward from each nasal cavity. This point is also used to calm migraines.
Acupuncture is used not only for its therapeutic virtues but also for aesthetic purposes. Acupuncture is also used to rejuvenate and lift the facial skin.
This technique is quite popular because it allows you to take care of your skin in a natural way.
So, we favor the platysmus muscles as acupuncture points, if our goal is to reduce wrinkles. Indeed, the platysma muscles are the muscles used to smile and make all facial expressions.
A derivative of acupuncture, acupressure
There is an equivalent to acupuncture called acupressure. Acupressure is a technique based on the same principle as acupuncture, if the needles are removed. In fact, this practice consists of stimulating the acupuncture points by exerting pressure on them. Similar to acupuncture, this practice promotes sleep, calms headaches, etc. However, to practice acupressure, you do not have to turn to professionals who have been trained for this. You can also practice acupressure.
In fact, acupuncture points can be considered the gateway to Qi , which is the vital energy that circulates in our body, according to Chinese culture. They then help restore Qi.
Acupressure is used with another massage technique, shiatsu. Shiatsu allows you to reclaim your body and therefore relieve stress effectively.
Moxibustion and acupuncture points
Apart from acupuncture and acupressure, there is another acupuncture point stimulating technique. This technique is called moxibustion and involves stimulating acupuncture points using heat. For this, we need moxas, which are wicks made from mugwort, an extract from the Artemisia vulgaris plant. The Artemisia vulgaris plant is rich in vegetable proteins, magnesium and has many vitamins.
It is therefore for these energizing properties that moxa is useful for combating fatigue.
How to perform moxibustion?
You should know that moxibustion is only practiced by professionals, under penalty of burns.
The professional begins by placing hot stones on acupuncture points that you have chosen beforehand. Generally, during a moxibustion session, he will place a heated mugwort cigar, until slight redness appears.
In conclusion, acupuncture, acupressure and moxibustion are three natural, effective and minimally invasive treatment techniques. In addition, these techniques have few side effects. They then allow you to feel better in your body, by stimulating the acupuncture points. However, these techniques should not be practiced by just anyone and it is important to seek professional advice to avoid any risk of injury.