P. Sze 
Have you ever woken up in the morning to a puffy face? Do you consistently look in the mirror and see swelling and want to do something to change it? Swelling of the face is very normal and common – everybody experiences it. However, if you want to reduce facial swelling: acupressure and our face acupressure points chart could help.
Acupressure is an old practice coming from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Related to acupuncture, acupressure is the use of fingers and hands to target acupressure points throughout the body (rather than acupuncture’s use of needles). All acupoints lie on meridians that carry energy throughout the body. These meridians all correspond to a major organ in the body, such as the liver or the large intestine. Engaging acupoints will help move qi, or energy, through the body and promote healing, resulting in the alleviation of thousands of ailments (TMJ, joint pain, skin diseases, to name a few).
In this article, we are discussing the best facial acupuncture points and include a face acupressure points chart. I personally use these acupoints on a daily basis in the morning and have noticed significant de-puffing and plumping of my face.
How Do You Do Facial Acupressure?
Stimulating face acupressure points is just like stimulating any acupoint. First: find the acupoint. Follow charts and descriptions to make sure you engage the right spot. Oftentimes acupoints lay in crooks or divots in the body such as on the temple or behind the knee. You will likely feel a release and occasional pain when you press on the point; you will normally instinctively know when you have found the acupoint. Second: apply pressure for several minutes. The amount of pressure will vary depending on the point and person (some points and some people are more sensitive and should use light pressure). Use your best judgment and be gentile, as the skin specifically around the face can be sensitive.
What Are The Facial Pressure Points?
Now that you’re comfortable with how to perform an acupressure face massage, we are going to jump right into the best acupressure for face and our face acupressure points chart. Read on to learn all about the best acupuncture points on the face.
Acupoint: Ren-24 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-24/Cheng Jiang/Saliva Container)
Located on the “conception vessel” meridian, Ren-24 is a versatile acupoint with many benefits. This point will move energy through the body, helping de-puff the face, and is also great for acupressure for face wrinkles. Ren-24 provides these benefits by “expelling wind” through the face.
The Saliva Container is located in the center of the face, directly below the lips. Place your finger in the small divot of your chin and you have successful found this facial acupoint.
Acupoint: ST-4 (Other Names: Stomach-4/Di Cang/Earth Granary)
The Earth Granary acupoint is next on our list of face acupuncture points. Located along the stomach meridian, St-4 will activate the meridian and allow energy to flow and wind to dispel. The resulting benefits include: regulating salivation, straightening the jaw, alleviating twitching around the face, and alleviating general pain.
Another easy point to find around the mouth, St-4 is located just outside the corner of the mouth. Place your fingers on either side of your mouth (where your top and bottom lip meet), and move your fingers just slightly to the outside (about half a centimeter).
Acupoint: Ren-22 (Other Names: The Conception Vessel-22/Tian Tu/Heaven Projection)
Another point along the conception vessel meridian, the Heaven Projection acupoint is located on the throat instead of on the face. Ren-22 will help with the following issues in the body: swollen face, problems in the throat (cough, dryness, soreness, etc.), and chest pain. This is also one of the great acupressure points for bronchitis.
This point is extremely easy to find. On the centerline of the body, Ren-22 is located at the bottom of the throat, in the divot between your two collarbones. Be careful when engaging this acupoint, as the point is sensitive for many people.
Acupoint: EM-5 (Other Names: Tai Yang)
The EM5 acupoint is considered an “extra” point, as it does not lie on a generally agreed-upon meridian. Still, this point can serve many benefits and is considered one of the great facial acupressure points for wrinkles and one of the great acupressure points for a facelift. This point will plump, lift, de-puff, and smooth the face.
According to Wikipedia, this point is “In the region of the temples, in the depression about one finger-breadth posterior to the midpoint between the lateral end of the eyebrow and the outer canthus”. Use caution when stimulating this point – some people will be sensitive to it.
Acupoint: LI-20 (Other Names: Large Intestine-20/Ying Xiang/Welcome Fragrance)
The Li-20 acupressure point is located on the large intestine meridian. Stimulating the Receiving Fragrance point will dispel wind, open up the nasal passages, and clear heat all throughout the body. The benefits seen include reduction of facial swelling, alleviation of congestion throughout the nose and throat, and alleviation of an itchy face. This point has also made our list of acupressure points for snoring – if you or a loved one snore, be sure to check out that article.
This point is easy to find and engage. Li-20 is located on either side of your nose, right next to the nostrils (or where the top of your smile line starts). Engage this point with a firm pressure, but be aware of any sensitivity.
Acupoint: ST-6 (Other Names: Stomach-6/Jia Che/Jaw Bone)
The final acupoint on our face acupressure points chart is the Jaw Bone acupoint. The St-6 acupoint will reduce swelling around the jaw and face, alleviate pain from toothaches, and help with TMJ. Believe it or not, this point is also a great acupressure point for weight loss. The Jaw Bone acupoint accomplishes all this by dispelling wind and moving energy all throughout the body.
This point is easy to find. Clench your jaw and feel the muscle engage right below your ear (this muscle is called the masseter). Keep your finger on the hardened muscle, then relax your jaw. Stimulate this acupoint with your jaw relaxed. If you suffer from TMJ, this point may be especially sensitive so use caution.
