7 Facial Massage Types to Try Out
Massages are a wonderful way to relax and rejuvenate the skin as well as relieve any pain in your body (such as back pain).
Facial massages, in particular, can help with headaches and migraines, as they will reduce pain and relax facial features.
They can also be helpful for some people that went for a facelift, as they help to improve the results of surgery. Here are the top facial massages you may not know about.
1. Gua Sha
Gua sha is a form of Chinese medicine that uses pressure and friction to stimulate the body’s energy channels.
The technique has been practiced in China for thousands of years, with some historians believing it to exist as far as 5,000 BCE.
The gua sha tool is made up of two pieces—a heavy stone or marble slab and a smaller stone that is about half the size and shape of an egg.
The practitioner will use both hands to apply pressure with the larger piece on areas where there are blockages in the flow of qi (or life force), which helps clear clogged meridians and promote healing—especially for chronic ailments.
The process also improves blood flow through increased circulation, reduces muscle tension, boosts lymphatic drainage by helping break up stagnant toxins in your body’s tissues (which remove them from your system), and clears congestion from sinuses and lungs so you can breathe better.
Thus, this allows you to relax even more deeply into massage therapy sessions without feeling like you need another nap afterward!
2. Swedish
Swedish massage, the most common type of massage, is designed to increase circulation and release muscle tension.
It can also help to relieve stress and improve sleep quality.
Swedish massage usually incorporates full-body strokes and kneading techniques that may be used to help with health issues such as insomnia, anxiety, or depression.
The technique may be used on a limited area (such as your face) or over large parts of the body depending on your needs.
3. Reflexology
Reflexology is based on the idea that there are reflexes in the feet, hands, ears, and face that correspond to specific organs and structures of the body.
Prolonged stress or tension in one area can therefore affect another part of your body.
So facial massage helps to relieve tension in the head and face by gently massaging pressure points around your eyes, nose, and mouth.
The technique is usually performed with oil (though it can be done dry) by gently rubbing different areas around your eyes, nose, and mouth to release blocked energy pathways which may cause problems such as sinusitis or migraines.
The therapist will then use their thumbs to apply gentle pressure along these lines while they move them around with their other fingers until they feel an even stretch across all muscles.
4. Remedial
Remedial massage is a type of facial massage that involves massaging the face in a way that will help balance the flow of energy within your body.
The aim is to relieve tension and restore energy by releasing blocked energy points on the face, which are believed to be connected to meridians throughout our bodies.
By working with these points, it’s believed that we can improve our well-being on both physical and emotional levels.
Furthermore, a remedial facial massage can help relieve sinus pressure and tension in the back of the neck and reduce inflammation in the jaw area.
The benefits are also felt in other areas of the body like the digestive tract and respiratory tract because they all work together as one unit.
5. Acupressure
Acupressure is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves pressing, rubbing, or massaging your face’s acupressure points.
These points are said to be connected with different organs of the body and can be used to unblock energy or chi flow.
The aim is to create balance and harmony within your body through these techniques.
In this technique, you should apply pressure on each point for about 30 seconds until you feel some sort of resistance as you press against it.
Then release the pressure before moving on to another point until all points have been treated in this way.
6. Sinus
Sinus massage, also known as a typical facial massage, is an excellent way to relieve sinus congestion. It’s also a good way to relieve stress.
Give yourself or someone else a sinus massage when they have a cold and feel congested or are experiencing headache pain.
To give yourself a sinus massage:
- Lie down on your back with your head in the neutral position (chin up slightly and looking straight ahead).
- Place both hands across the bridge of your nose so that both thumbs are touching each other. They should be placed near each eye socket (where you see dark circles forming below the eyes).
- Jab gently upwards toward the center of your forehead several times as needed. Then repeat this process accordingly.
7. Shiatsu
Shiatsu is a type of massage that uses pressure points on your face and head to help relieve tension and improve circulation.
It’s based on traditional Chinese medicine, and its name literally translates to “finger pressure” because the therapist uses their hands to apply firm pressure to specific points on your face.
This can help unblock your energy channels, allowing you to feel more relaxed and refreshed.
As you can see, there are many different types of facial massages, each with its own benefits.
Getting a massage relieves stress and anxiety in the same way exercise does, making it a perfect addition to your self-care routine.
Also, depending on your needs and the advice of your professional masseuse or physiotherapist, you’ll be able to choose the right one for you!