In
ancient Asia centuries ago a sought after life pursuit was gaining
longevity. Longevity was promoted thru "Right Exercise, Right
Eating, Right Thinking, Right Actions," and generally balancing the
body not only by eating particular foods suitable for the condition
and constitution of the individual but by using herbs, taking
sufficient water, having good elimination, and using T'ui-na
(a hands-on therapy
similar to Shiatsu)
and employing Traditional Acupuncture.
Facial
Acupuncture initially was a side product of a general body treatment.
Today it is utilized as a full protocol for non-invasive Facial
Rejuvenation, a 'facelift' without going under the knife. All
meridians or energy channels pass thru the face. Needling activates
not only the immediate site but areas distal. Besides producing a
'natural facial glow', benefits of Facial Acupuncture are excellent
for conditions such as TMJ (temporomandibular joint), Bell's Palsy,
and Facial Tics (TD or tardive
dyskinesia).
About one-third of
all adults experience TMJ sometime in their life. It is a disorder of
the jaw and surrounding facial muscles of the jaw joint that control
chewing and jaw movement. The temporomandibular joint is hung like a
hinge on a door as it connects your jaw to your skull, with a point
on either side of the jaw. Muscle controlling the jaw can become
affected by various muscular strain, cramping, repetitive motions,
and trauma. Grinding one's teeth or teeth clenching, are common
off-shoots of TMJ disorder, as well as jaw pain, tenderness in the
face, jaw area, neck, even shoulders, and around an ear, can become
painful. Clicking, popping, or grating sounds in the jaw may be
heard, while closing the mouth may become difficult. Myofascial pain
is characterized by localized hypersensitive spots - taut muscle
fibers.
Traditional
Acupuncture uses needling sites which include the points at the jaw
hinge and lines following the facial contour. Meridians passing thru
affected areas are the Small Intestines, Triple Warmer, Stomach,
Large Intestines, and Gall Bladder. In addition, there are distal
points in the hands and arms or feet and legs to each of those
Meridians that may also be utilized in treatment. Relief
in most cases I have worked with is almost instantaneous.
There is markedly reduced pain, swelling, cramping, to the total
absence of any symptoms. A treatment's effect may last indefinitely,
to lasting weeks. Exacerbation of joint movement, repetitive motions,
emotional stress, and other factors can re-trigger the problem.
British and
American studies reinforce these facts. Acupuncture reduces pain
levels thru direct stimulation of the nerves which in turn change the
quality of signaling the nerve cells. Furthermore, endorphins,
naturally occurring substances, block pain perception by the brain,
and other biological actions take place. Muscle spasm is reduced.
Clicking stops by relaxing lateral pterygoid muscles; lessening
pressure on the anterior displaces force put upon the meniscus of the
temporomandibular joint. Needles are inserted in areas of pain.
Distal points may also be employed.
Facial
Tics, known as tardive
dyskinesia (TD) are also
greatly relieved by receiving Traditional Acupuncture. TD is a
disorder of uncontrollable muscle spasm in the face, torso and/or
other body parts. Facial tics are generally viewed as a nuisance and
not derivative of other major disorders by Western medicine. In East
Asian Medicine that view is not
held. Al unnatural movements of the body, emotions, and mind are
symptomatic of 'something' energetically and/or biologically
occurring. East Asian Medicine would also evaluate that TD is an
off-shoot of Kidney Meridian and Kidney Organ Functions malfunction
or harboring 'energetic' weakness. Such weaknesses left untreated
will develop into 'conditions' then 'diseases', The
body and mind are always recording everything that goes on it and
around it.
Bell's Palsy is a
condition of muscular weakness or paralysis on one side of the face.
In some cases, the nerves on both sides of the face become afflicted.
Ones face tends to droop, or become very stiff on the affected side.
Bell's Palsy may occur after a stroke, or a viral infection such as
chickenpox and shingles, genital herpes, cold sores, German measles,
Cytomegalovirus infections, hand-foot-mouth disease, mumps,
respiratory illnesses, and infectious mononucleosis. Other symptoms
of this disorder are drooling, taste decline, changes in saliva and
tear amount, difficulty making facial expressions, pain around the
jaw or behind the ear on the afflicted side, headache, and rapid
onset of mild weakness to total paralysis on the troubled side of the
face. The diagnosis of the various diseases will require other
protocols in addition to using Traditional Acupuncture.
All
three disorders - TMJ, Facial Tics and Bell's Palsy - are best served
by immediate Facial
Acupuncture treatment to reverse the condition. Facial
Acupuncture reduces and/or completely removes pain; it opens the
pathways, relaxes facial muscles and the jaw; reduces and/or removes
muscular strain and calms the parasympathetic nervous system.
One patient,
Rachel Renee remarks, "I have struggled with partial facial
paralysis (Bell's Palsy) my entire life. The nerves in my face never
worked. After just one Acupuncture treatment with Dr. Wah, I could
see my dimple on my lazy side. Her treatments have been truly
life-altering for me! Every few weeks is enough to keep my face
twitch-free and my self-image a little higher."
Visit
me, Laila Wah, at www.lailawah.com and on Facebook and
Youtube. You can create optimal health and happiness in your life.
