Facial Acupressure: seven steps to the perfect massage

Greetings! This post is for clients as well as massage therapists.

FYI: if you're not sure which areas of the face to touch or avoid on your face, please ask a licensed massage therapist or esthetician. We're here to help!

INTRO TO FACIAL MASSAGE TECHNIQUES 
(based on the clinic's 25min facial massage)

Follow this step-by-step guide at home or work. It only takes a few minutes and no special equipment. I offer a few upgrades like Dead Sea mud and steamed towels at the clinic, but these basic techniques are still quite relaxing. Bonus: I've seen clients get relief from headaches, stress, and sinus pressure. 

TIME: 3-30 minutes

SUPPLIES: quiet room, very short fingernails, light lotion (or none)

1. NECK: begin with gentle neck stretches and static (non-moving) positions. My clients lie on the massage table, but you can do this seated on the couch or at a desk.

• Place one hands are each side of the neck, moving slower towards the head. Why slower? Slow breathing is relaxed breathing. My hands literally take the weight off the client's shoulders! 

2. EARS: I sink my fingertips into the skin behind the client's ears and make small, tight circles. 

• Point at the skin using a 90-degree angle. Do not lift fingers from the skin. Note: it takes practice, so don't worry if you can't get it right the first time.

3. JAW, NECK, and FOREHEAD: I make slow, deliberate circles behind the ear. I use fingertips and move down the jawline (ears to chin).

• At home: using fingertips, focus on small areas. At the chin, relax your hands and use very light pressure to glide down the neck. Avoid a "tickling" feeling by keeping contact all the way down the neck. Return to the chin, re-straighten your fingers and continue making small circles up the jawline towards the forehead.

4. FACE: This is where my fingertips are for about 1/4 of the clinic session. 

• If you are not familiar with acupressure points, you may simply massage the face with a light touch. This should be relaxing, not painful! 

5. SCALP: use a slow, gentle "shampoo" motion all over the scalp.

6. REPEAT: at the clinic, I allow 20-30 minutes for a facial massage. Once I've massaged a client's face, neck, and scalp, I return to the neck and shoulders for a more detailed version of the warmup using kneading, stretching, gliding, and other therapy techniques. 

• At home: steps 1-5 could take as little as three minutes. Feel free to repeat the steps 2-3 times. You may practice on loved ones (always start with light pressure).

7. What makes the clinic session worthy of five stars? I've been offering facial massage since 2007 when I was a student in the SIC massage therapy clinic and program. My "routine" is a bit more polished, especially after training in Boston earlier this year. I currently offer three upgrades: oil-free moisturizer, Dead Sea mud, and steamed towels. There are a number of techniques that I couldn't fit into this 790-word post, so please ask if you'd like to know more.

CLINIC SERVICE: It's very detailed, but it's short enough to be a good "intro" clinic visit. No disrobing. No greasy creams. Just relaxation for 25 minutes. (schedule)

Enjoy! Please let me know if you find this guide helpful, want to experience a five star massage appointment, or just have quick question. I'm here to help. 

See you soon! -Cynthia

Find out what the buzz is about! I accept clients six days a week in my office on Main Street. You may schedule up to 90 days in advance using the Booknow button below:

OLNEY MASSAGE

604 W. Main St. :: Olney, IL 62450
(618) 392-3800 /voicemail

 http://olneymassage.com