Acupressure Points for Relieving Acne, Pimple and Other Skin Problems.

Working on these points can help you get better quicker. You do not have to use all of these points. Using just one or two of them whenever you have a free hand can be effective. Points (A) -- Heavenly Pillar Location: One-half inch below the base of the skuIl on the ropy muscles onehalf inch outward from either side of the spine. Benefits: Relieves stress related to skin disorders such as acne. Relieves stress, burnout, exhaustion, insomnia, heaviness in the head, eyestrain, stiff necks, and sore throats. Points (B) & Points (C) -- Sea of Vitality Caution: Do not press on disintegrating discs or fractured or broken bones. If you have a weak back, a few minutes of stationary, light touching instead of pressure can be very healing. See your doctor first if you have any questions or need medical advice. Location: In the lower back (between the second and third lumbar vertebrae) two to four finger widths away from the spine at waist level. Benefits: Relieves acne, eczema, and bruises on the body. Points (D) -- Third Eye Point Location: Directly between your eyebrows in the indentation where the bridge of the nose meets the center of the forehead. Benefits: Stimulates the pituitary gland, which is the master endocrine gland, to enhance the

condition of the skin throughout the body. Points (E) -- Four Whites Location: One finger width below the lower ridge of the eye socket in line with the center of the iris in an indentation of the cheek. Benefits: Remedies acne and facial blemishes. Points (F) -- Facial Beauty Location: At the bottom of the cheekbone, directly below the pupil. Benefits: Relieves acne, facial blemishes, poor complexion, and sagging cheeks; and improves facial circulation. Points (G) -- Three Mile Point Location: Four finger widths below the kneecap toward the outside of the shinbone. Benefits: Strengthens and tones the muscles and improves the condition of the skin throughout the entire body. Points (H) -- Heavenly Appearance Location: In the indentation directly below the ear lobe and behind the jawbone. Benefits: Balances the thyroid gland to increase the luster of the skin; relieves hives. Points (I) -- Wind Screen Location: In the indentation directly behind the ear lobe. Benefits: Balances the thyroid gland to increase the luster of the skin; relieves hives.

TCM considers physical, emotional, and environmental factors of the individual when treating skin problems. From a TCM perspective, acne is most often associated with heat and dampness effecting the organs and channels of the lungs, stomach, and spleen.

In Chinese medicine, each organ has specific functions and is connected to a channel that runs from the skins surface internally to connect with the organ. The organs involved with acne are because of both the function as well as the locations of their channels.

Lung - The lung is in charge of the skin. So any skin disease can therefore be related to the lung. We often see this in some skin diseases, such as eczema, which often occurs with lung problems. The lung also regulates the opening and closing of the pores, which is one way that the heat that causes acne can escape from the body.

Stomach - The stomach naturally tends to be warm, which is how it helps in digestion of food. However, this propensity for heat can easily gather extra heat, which can manifest as pimples along the stomach channel, which covers the chest and the face. Dampness in the stomach also may be a factor, which leads to greasy oily skin.

Spleen - Finally, the spleen is also involved. The spleen is in charge of digestion. When digestion is working well and harmonized the body generates ample amount of energy and is able to get rid of dampness.

If the spleen is not working well, dampness can accumulate and lead to greasy skin and acne.

These disharmonies have many overlapping causes. Stress, overwork, and congenital factors are some of the most common reasons. Food choices are also a common cause. Eating greasy, spicy, and heavy foods disrupt the function of the spleen in digestion that can lead to dampness, which can influence an acne flare-up. Which is why eating greasy pizza, too much chocolate, and spicy Mexican food can be bad for acne.

TCM Diagnosis and Treatment By taking the pulse, asking in-depth questions, and observing the tongue and skin, the TCM practitioner will make an individualized diagnose according to TCM patterns. The treatment is tailored to fit to each persons pattern diagnosis. Depending on the condition, treatment may involve acupuncture, Chinese herbs, or both. Generally, mild acne can be treated with acupuncture, but more severe and complex cases often require Chinese herbs as well.

Lung and stomach heat is the most common form of acne. This manifests as white or black heads on the face around the cheeks, nose, and forehead, as well as the chest, and upper back. Skin looks oily and may have a slightly reddish hue. The tongue will have a yellow coat. The goal of this treatment is to clear heat from the lungs and the stomach. Generally, the acupuncture treatment is on the lung and Stomach channels, which go along the arms and legs. Lung 5, at the

elbow, is often used, as well as Stomach 36 below the knee. Herbs such as pi pai ye, huang qin, and sang bai pi may be used to clear heat from the lungs and stomach.

Sometimes the heat is very strong, leading to dry mouth and thirst. To clear this heat and nourish the fluids of the body, herbs such as xuan shen and mai men dong are added. If there is significant dampness in the stomach, the skin will be more oily and greasy. Often this will lead to large acne and cysts on the chest and back. Herbs such as bai zhu and yi yi ren may be added to clear even more heat. For those with this type of acne, it is very important to avoid greasy foods. The skin around areas of acne may become red causing a general reddish complexion, which may remain after the pimples have been cleared. This is because the heat has entered the blood level. Herbs such as honeysuckle flowers, rose hips, and lotus flowers can be used for this condition. Heat toxicity develops when the skin becomes infected. Toxicity manifests as is redness, pus, and pain. Herbs such as honeysuckle and dandelion may be used for this.

In women, if acne becomes worse around the menstrual cycle, it may be related to the qi, the bodys energy, and blood. Qi flows throughout the bodys channels. Emotions such as stress, frustration, and anger can cause the qi to slow down to stagnate. Frequently, acne and other skin problems which occur around the menses are caused by qi and blood stagnation. For this acupuncture points such as Liver 3 on the foot, and Spleen 6 above the ankle may be used. Herbs such as yi mu cao, xiang fu, and bai shao may be added.

Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture is a holistic treatment. It can help those with all degrees and types of acne with clearing the skin, as well as improve overall wellness.

Call an acupuncturist with experience in treating this condition to find out more about how Chinese medicine can help you. acupuncturist in your area, please visit. To find an

WHY TREAT WITH ACUPUNTURE: Treating acne with acupuncture is not as far-fetched as it might first sound. It seems to help in at least two ways. One is, since it is thought that hormone imbalance can cause the body secrete more oils than it really should. Acupuncture can help regulate your body's hormone output, thus regulating the skins oils and make your skin clearer. The other is, acupuncture is also believed to be effective in stimulating the bodies immune responses which can help deal with the bacteria that cause the acne cysts. Treating acne with acupuncture isn't a magic cure-all, though. You still have to eat a healthy diet, keep your skin clean and avoid heavy make-up or products that might irritate your skin. Correcting the imbalance that leads to your acne may take some time but as the results tend to be progressive you should normally see some encouring results in the first few weeks. Acupuncture can also help with other skin diseases like psoriasis, dermatitis and warts.