Facial Rejuvenation
with Acupuncture &
Chinese Herbs
For centuries, the Chinese and other
Oriental cultures have regarded the pursuit of
longevity as well as the study of techniques to slow the aging process to be of
paramount importance. These "secrets" were kept only by the royal doctors and
they were reserved exclusively for the
royal family. We are lucky today to receive the benefit of generations
upon generations of wisdom on the subject
of rejuvenation- at a time in history when
the effects of past-paced lifestyles, stress from over- working and poor diet,
even the effects of everyday pollutants and electro-magnetic radiation are
making it necessary to become proactive. More people every year are turning to
alternative or complementary medicine for aches and pains, as well as
"functional disorders" for which Western medicine just doesn't work too well.
Why not reap the full benefit of this influx of Eastern knowledge?
To create optimum health in this modern age, it has become necessary to
assimilate ancient wisdom, and to combine it with modern scientific
understanding to achieve a synthesis. This new model of healing, combining the
yin and yang of Eastern and Western medicine, respectively. A new age of
medicine would see these two working in perfect harmony, which is the idea of
complementary medicine.
Our culture is at odds with it's own self- image. We attempt to change the outside, but beauty is deeper than the surface. Healthy radiance comes from deep inside, from inner peace and self- acceptance.
We carry the effects of our high paced modern existence in our musculature, and especially in our faces. By storing stress in our shoulders and upper backs, we block the proper flow of qi (energy) and blood to the head, resulting in problems like premature aging and lack of mental clarity, to mention only the less serious ones. Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture opens the internal energy meridians where they are blocked, allowing flow where there has been constriction and quite possibly pain. Once the internal energy source is activated, I work to bring the benefits to specific areas of the face.
Specifically,
the areas of the face that this system (developed principally by Virginia Doran,
whose website is available at
www.luminousbeauty.com) works with include wrinkles and
fine lines
between the brows and around the mouth, nose, and forehead, puffiness
in the under chin/eye area, discoloration or blemishes in any area, sculpting to
the cheek bones, a lifting technique that affects the entire face, and the
manifestation of that
indescribable "natural glow". In unison with herbs and supplements that affect
the aging process, facial acupuncture also works to restore hormonal balance and
to revitalize the immune system, which the Chinese call "wei qi", or protective
energy.
Scientifically speaking, acupuncture has been shown in controlled studies to
affect the production of collagen, that magic substance that gives elasticity
and shine to our exterior and is
known to decline with age. Blood circulation is increased to the local area, and
endorphins are released as a reaction to
the micro- injury created by the needle.
Endorphins are those neurotransmitters (chemical brain messengers) that
everybody loves- they produce feelings of happiness and well- being. Sex,
chocolate and opiates are other known agonists of endorphins, however
acupuncture carries none of the potential side effects of the others!
Herbs provide nutrients and other vital substances that improve the functioning of our internal organs, and contribute to our overall energy level. This is Oriental internal medicine, and it works to normalize and optimize all functions of the body and mind. The spirit is more of a tangible quality to the Chinese, to us more equated with joy in heart that shows on the face and radiates to all aspects of life. A person full of spirit is full of life, and engaged in the process of evolution. (for more see Chinese herbs page).
Supplements are vitamins and minerals that are essential to our health and optimal functioning, and for some reason are in short supply in our body. Much research has been done into the efficacy of supplements with mixed results. I go with companies that provide research on their exact supplements so I know what I am getting, and just what it has been shown to do. Depending upon your individual make up and other factors, I will recommend supplements that I feel will facilitate or speed the process of rejuvenation. (for more see rejuvenation pharmacy page)
As a final note of encouragement, the latest word from the technological side of longevity research is that if you can live another twenty years and maintain optimal health (by using alternative medicine), you can live forever with the advances in bio- and nano- technology that are coming down the tubes. ( http://www.wie.org/j30/kurzweil.asp?page=1 is the link to the article, on the What is Enlightenment magazine website).
` Let's live forever, and evolve to our full potential as human beings!
