Facial Rejuvenation with Acupuncture Points

Ivan is an old friend of Julie's and we are happy to have him share his wisdom with us! He's a graduate of the Shiatsu School of Canada, passionate about alternative healing modalities. He's available by appointment at Province Apothecary every Monday and Tuesday from 9 AM to 9 PM.
We've asked him to share his favourite pressure points for facial rejuvenation.

Acupuncture points are pressure-sensitive spots found all over the body. These sites are significant because of their recognized therapeutic properties. Points can also serve the purpose of moving energy in a certain direction (i.e. to “ground” your energy).

Our faces are tender and sensitive, and the points found on our face will often be sore and even a bit painful. This indicates that we are unknowingly holding a lot of tension in our faces; facial muscles are often tight and contracted. Contracted muscles that are obstructed with tension are not receiving proper circulation of blood and fluid. By using specific points to clear this stagnation and build-up, we can not only hydrate and rejuvenate our faces, but also help treat headaches, reduce stress and generally become more bodily aware.

Shiatsu is a Japanese form of therapeutic massage that has roots in the point and meridian system of acupuncture but also integrates knowledge of modern Western anatomy. Shiatsu was designed as a simple, holistic therapy that could be shared with family or easily performed on oneself. Here are four very useful self-shiatsu points for facial rejuvenation:

Earth Granary:

Located just outside the corners of the mouth, directly below the pupils. This is a major point to treat drooping of the mouth, relax contracted facial muscles, and increase skin elasticity. Using your middle fingers, direct firm pressure towards the back of your head and repeat five times.

Man’s Middle:

Located above the upper lip on the midline, just below the nose. This point clears nasal congestion, reduces facial swelling, and calms the spirit. Using your ring finger, direct firm pressure towards the back of your head and repeat five times.

Fish Waist:

Located in the center of the eyebrows, in the depressions just above the pupils when the eyes are looking straight ahead. This point helps to rejuvenate tired, sore eyes. It reduces swelling or puffiness in the eye area, and is also useful for treating frontal headaches. Using your ring fingers, direct firm pressure towards the back of your head and repeat five times.

​Container of Fluids:

Located on the midline of the face, above the chin and in the center of the depression below your lower lip. This point reduces inflammation, lifts features, and relieves tooth and jaw pain. Using your middle finger, direct firm pressure towards the back of your head and repeat five times.

A treatment with Ivan takes just over an hour and the cost is $50 - $75, sliding scale. He also offers discount packages for those booking multiple sessions.

Guest Contributor, Ivan Roberts-Davis | BA Hons, Dipl. ST
shiatsuwithivan.ca | shiatsuwithivan@gmail.com

​All images taken from the Deadman Manual of Acupuncture Web App, V. 1.0.1.