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Posts Tagged ‘face therapy’

Imagine… having the ability to heal a broken arm by massaging your nose.

Well… that’s crazily impossible, but you can certainly relieve arm pain by massaging your face, using Vietnamese reflexology!

Have you noticed, that whenever there’s a pain in the stomach, our natural inclination is to rub or massage our tummies with our hands? Or when we feel sleepy we rub our eyes to keep ourselves awake? If we have back pain we cry ‘give me a massage!‘?

Reflexology is basically a complex discipline that utilises this type of self-care and self-healing.

What is reflexology?

There are many therapeutic reflexology techniques, some are: foot; hand; iridology; thorax and abdominal; and endonasal reflexology. [1]

Basically, the premise is that there are points and areas on the face that are directly connected to the body’s organs, the spinal column, limbs and even the hands and feet, and stimulation of these points and areas helps to promote healing.

History of Vietnamese reflexology

Vietnamese reflexology is called Diện châm (literally “Face acupuncture/to prick”) but is also referred to as Diện chẩn (literally “Face therapy”).

In East Asia, facial reflexology had been practised for many centuries. however, it wasn’t until the 1980s that in Vietnam, a team of doctors, acupuncturists and research scientists, lead by Professor Bui Quoc Chau developed the discipline to become the complete system that it is today.

Initially named Facytherapy by the team, the discipline ‘draws from oriental medicine, in particular acupuncture, as well as from Western medicine, especically in the domain of anatomy, physiopathology, and neurology.’[1]

Watch: Professor Bui Quoc Chau in action

Facial reflexology or acupressure is a tool, focusing on preventing health problems before they occur and treating existing ones before they become major health issues.

Unlike acupuncture where needles are used, facial reflexology can be performed by simple blunt objects like your finger or a pen.

1. Bent thumb or index finger (even finger nails for certain points, e.g. point 19)
2. End of a ballpoint pen.
3. Chopsticks with filed ends
4. Reflexology rollers
5. Anything with a rounded tip

Watch: Demonstration of 12 massage techniques

How much pressure to use

Press enough to feel the pressure, but not too much that you hurt yourself.If you feel some tenderness in certain points or areas they are the areas you need to focus on.

Where to start and how long?

Start at any point and quickly run through the points or areas.If it’s sensitive then keep focusing on that area for a while. If a point or area is not sensitive don’t focus on it too much, move to the next point or area.a session can be 10 minutes to 40 minutes.

My own experience

I’ve had an excellent experience using Vietnamese facial reflexology and that is why I’m sharing it with you.My first session of self-massaging left my face feeling very tender, but in the following sessions the areas started to ‘heal up’. I was surprised at the accuracy of the points’ tenderness and the corresponding health issue(s).

The points: reflex points. using the tools outlined, either press on the points or stimulate them in the direction of the arrows.The highlighted areas: reflex (stimulation) zones. Massage around this area.

Please note: facial reflexology is very safe to use, however I’m not a medical practitioner so whatever you do with this information, it will be at your own risk – don’t blame me if you hurt yourself, ha! If symptoms persist please see your health specialist.

19, 61, 26, 0.Hangover symptoms like nausea or a dull headache. these points will give you some relief from the abuse of your body with alcohol the night or day before.Stimulation of the zones outlined will target the liver and gallbladder for faster metabolism.

19, 61, 26, 26, 41, 50, 63, 85, 113, 0.Use this if you’re consuming alcohol and want to help your liver and pancreas perform more effectively. this can also be used to reduce the chances of getting a hangover the next day.although there will be an immediate relief from the effects of alcohol, using this technique will not reduce alcohol levels – alcohol needs to be eliminated from the body for that to occur.Drink in moderation, and don’t drink and drive!

61, 50, 3, 26, 60, 74, 17, 0.Aiding digestion, this face map will help alleviate allergies that are often caused by consuming foods that contain addictives, artificial preservatives, colours and flavouring agents (which is practically in everything we eat). the reflex areas target the digestive system: the stomach, liver, pancreas, intestines and kidneys. To further assist, there is also a focus on the immune system and spinal column areas.

50, 19, 7, 3, 61, 37, 39, 0.Hayfever is a type of allergy. these points should be stimulated daily and whenever needed to help the body heal.

50, 38, 127, 39, 37, 0.Usually caused by not eating the right combination of foods, too much food, or alcohol; indigestion is also caused by a weak digestive system.these reflex points and zones target the digestive system. Use it for immediate relief, or daily if suffering from a weak digestive system.

126, 19, 0.Many perform the ‘pat on the back’ baby burping technique or perhaps they can be all ‘new age’ and do it this way! this may also be a considered a less evasive or more gentle approach than the former.

Automobiles, aircraft, boats, trains: 127, 19, 26, 103, 0.Seasickness: 63, 61, 26, 0.This can be used before embarking on a trip, or immediately as symptoms appear.

61, 26, 106, 34, 124, 0.For general headaches, try this the next time there’s one coming. There are also different face maps for specific headache origins: crown of the head; digestive; one side of the head; and temple. See below under ‘for more information’.

50, 127, 19, 3, 61, 124, 180, 0.OR124, 41, 50, 61, 51, 180, 0.Migraines are usually of a stress or digestive origin.this treats migraines and also the accompanying symptoms such as nausea and vomiting. If symptoms persist, please see your medical practitioner.

8, 26, 106, 34, 0.Useful in the treatment of twisted necks caused by prolonged immobility, such as sitting at a desk. Use several times a day or whenever needed.this map targets the neck vertebrae and spinal column.

26, 61, 3, 19, 0.These points and zones help the body eliminate toxins and wastes and increases our natural defenses. these are used for overall skin symptoms such as acne, eczema, psoriasis etc., however those specific issues also have their own set of points and zones. these points target the liver, kidneys and colon as these organs are the main causes for skin problems.

Give Vietnamese reflexology a go! If in some cases you find that it doesn’t work for you, I say it’s because you’re just doing it wrong. Go back to square one and start again!

To get more information and comprehensive diagrams on treating a wide range of health issues (including smoking, osteoporosis, ovarian cysts, gallstones, burns, depression and even shyness!), purchase Facial Reflexology by Marie-France Muller.

• Facial Reflexology: a self-care manual at Amazon.com – US$ 13.53
• Facial Reflexology: a self-care manual at the Book Depository – US$ 18.89

If you can read Vietnamese, get the books written by the founder Professor Bui Quoc Chau.

• Dien Chan

[1] Muller, Marie-France. Facial Reflexology. Healing Arts Press. inner Traditions International, 2006.

Find Reflexology Programs in the United States and Canada. Today, students interested in learning a unique form of massage therapy can enroll in anyone of several reflexology programs that are designed for the future natural healer in mind.

Reflexology programs vary in length and instruction modules, however; students can take introductory classes to get a feel for this ancient healing art; and can then proceed to more advanced levels of training should they choose to pursue professional fields in reflexology. in addition to foot reflexology, it is also good to know that there are several of these programs that offer training in hand, body, ear and face therapy as well. Of course these programs are sometimes included in comprehensive career training programs, as well as electives, home-study courses, and continuing education classes.

Typical reflexology programs range in duration. while some may be completed in as little as a few months, other courses are more in-depth and may take up to a year to complete. Practical training includes studies in anatomy, physiology, reflex areas and application of reflexology to the body, ear, feet and hands; pathology, energy healing concepts (i.e., Reiki and chakra balancing), among other related training. Students who successfully complete all coursework earn a certificate or diploma of completion. Other natural health therapies that are offered through reflexology programs may sometimes include supplemental training herbology, botanical medicine, hot stone massage, and other holistic therapies.

A number of advanced reflexology programs are available to graduates who have earned certification as a practitioner. in addition to more in-depth methods, future teachers are taught how to effectively communicate with students, develop quality curricula, time management, business and marketing skills for the entrepreneur, and other associated educational matter. Additionally, holistic health practitioners or massage therapists who are seeking to expand health services to clients, find that completion of any one of a number of these programs can be beneficial to expanding already established, and client services.

If you (or someone you know) are interested in finding reflexology programs, let professional training within fast-growing industries like massage therapy, cosmetology, acupuncture, oriental medicine, Reiki, and others get you started! Explore reflexology programs [school.holisticjunction.com/clickcount.php?id=6634739&goto=holisticjunction.com/search.cfm] near you.

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