How to Use Facial Acupressure to Relieve Stress & Tone Your Face

Facial acupressure is an advanced massaging technique which focuses on energy lines called meridians and concentrates movement and force on these lines. Blockages can occur at points on the meridians in response to emotional as well as physical stresses and pressures, and the facial acupressure technique helps to relive these blockages and allow life force energy to flow through your body without obstruction.

Facial acupressure works similarly to acupuncture with the obvious distinction that the skin is not punctured but pressure placed on strategic areas of the face. There is no need for any oil or creams or any other skin therapeutic agent although the face should be thoroughly washed before the procedure is done. The tips of the fingers or thumbs should always be used in facial acupressure and the pressure applied to the specific areas should be firm and direct. There should be no movement or massaging of the area, ideally you should apply direct pressure and hold that point for approximately 5 seconds.

Technique 1
The first facial acupressure technique is to use your middle finger to apply firm pressure in the middle of your forehead for approximately 4 seconds and then release this pressure, this should be repeated anytime between three to five times. You should continue doing this slowly but move further down the forehead each time until reach the area between your eyebrows. This technique of facial acupressure helps to ease headaches, breaks up wrinkle lines on the forehead and discourages frowning.

Technique 2
The second technique of facial acupressure is to place the tips of your index fingers at the base of your nose and press firmly for around 3 seconds. These points store a great deal of facial tension and this technique can help to relieve sins problems and well and decreases facial tension.

Technique 3
One of the most effective techniques of facial acupressure is the application of pressure to the middle of the upper lip. This groove in the middle of the upper lip (underneath the nose) should be pressurized by the index finger for approximately 3 seconds and then released. This helps to tone the area around the lip and can also help in curbing hunger by reducing tension, anxiety and cravings.

Technique 4
The area around the temples is an area which many of us have rubbed unknowingly when we are stressed or have a splitting headache, so it may not be surprising to know that this area can be pressured (using facial acupressure) and used to help relieve tension. To do this, you should use two or three fingers together (on both temples simultaneously) and press firmly yet gently. This helps to increase the flow of blood around the face and eyes and will increase alertness and concentration.

References
1. 10 Minute Facelift. Jennie Harding
2. Free Facial Exercises for the Forehead http://www.dermaxime.com/facial-exercises-eye-forehead.htm