Recently, I have come across several vloggers on Chinese instagram (Xiao Hong Shu) claiming that massaging acupuncture point LI4 can improve facial droop and nasal-labial fold. How does it work? Let’s talk about the significance of this acupuncture point:
LI4 Jointly Valley is a point on the large intestine meridian and has many benefits when combined with other acupuncture points. It is often used to release the exterior syndrome, such as cold/flu, to ease pain, to promote labour, and most interestingly, to treat any facial disorders, such as Bell’s Palsy and sense organs It is classified as one of the ‘eleven heavenly star points’ by the great physician of the Jin Dynasty, Ma Dan-yang, who considers this point as one of the most vital acupuncture points on the human body. Another great acupuncturist, Gao Wu, from Ming Dynasty recognizes the supreme importance of this point and includes LI4 among his ‘four command points” for the face and mouth.
Now, does this point really help with facial droop and nasal-labial fold? Well, I have to say that after massage into this point on my hands daily, at least 10 times a day, I certainly felt more energy rushing onto my face and made my face felt more tightened. Here are a couple of steps I took to massage this point:
- How to find this point on the hand? Text book location: it is located at the midpoint of the second metacarpal bone on the hand. When your thumb and index finger are held together, it is located at the highest point of the muscle. You should feel a soreness when you press into this point. See picture below.
2. How do you massage this acupuncture point? Place your other thumb directly onto this point and move in a clockwise direction. For the right side of face, massage this point on the left hand. For the left side of face, massage this point on the right hand.
3. In addition to massaging this point with your thumb, you can use a Gua Sha tool as well. Apply some high quality massage oil in the local area first, then scrap along the muscle toward the tip of your index finger. See red arrow in the picture below. For best results, you must feel the soreness at the local point.
