Have you tried Gua Sha? Better yet, have you tried Gua Sha on your face? A recent article from Vogue Magazine highlighted Gua Sha as a new (actually centuries old) tool for facial beauty and health.
This is one of my favorite tools to use on patients and on myself at home. For those who are unfamiliar, Gua Sha is the name of the tool and technique of massaging the body with a flat-edged tool, usually made out of jade. When applied vigorously, it can do wonders for a stiff neck. With a gentler touch on the face it can help to nourish the muscles, skin, and connective tissue. The acupuncturist quoted in this article notes that “With this type of treatment, we’re moving lymph, which carries away toxins or in this case, blackheads, and stimulating the chi or prana. It tones the muscles and firms the skin, and, plus, it’s deeply relaxing." Other than toning the facial muscles and clearing skin, facial Gua Sha can be beneficial in treating TMJ, tension headaches or migraines, and Bell's Palsy.
You can easily acquire a good quality Gua Sha tool online (be wary of synthetic materials) and learn how to use it for yourself at home. In fact, I'd love to show you how to go about using this technique. For the most relaxing experience though, I fully recommend having this done professionally by your acupuncturist. Let me know if you'd like to try this at your next appointment!
For a more in-depth look at Facial Gua Sha, check out the full article here:
https://www.vogue.com/article/gua-sha-facial-jade-roller-tool