Reflection on Facial Revitalisation with Jamie
Hedger
I decided to attend this course
due to requests from patients regarding facial acupuncture. I was a bit
reluctant to go down the cosmetic route but felt that I should be open to it
and see where it takes me. I had a choice of doing either a two day course or
Jamie Hedger’s one day course. As I was uncertain where I was going with facial
acupuncture, I felt that the one day course would be appropriate for me from a
time and financial perspective as it would be enough to give me an appreciation
of what is required and whether I was going to pursue it.
I am really pleased that I chose
this course because Jamie Hedger has had Five Element training and therefore it
was not just TCM focussed. The beauty about this course was that it gave good
practical and pragmatic advice on the different devices and techniques that can
be used. The FRA protocol was flexible which would allow practitioners to adopt
their preferred way of working with patients, for example, there is no reason
why you cannot start this protocol with an AE drain and after each facial
treatment, ground the treatment with the source points of the CF. I felt this
was a real bonus as it means I can incorporate my own way of working as well as
tailoring facials to individual needs at body, mind and spirit level.
The course started with a
revision of the channels and organs that are involved in complexion, skin and
muscles. The key Officials are the Lungs, Spleen and Heart. I liked the fact
that Jamie placed importance on how the Shen can be lifted with acupuncture
which indeed will lift the complexion as beauty comes from within. Therefore,
when people feel good about themselves on the inside this will radiate on the
outside and manifest in their complexion. The theory was followed by an outline
of the protocol and demonstration of techniques using electro-acupuncuture,
derma rollers, tiger warmers, tens pads, oils and Tui na massage.
There was a practical session in
which you were able to practice the techniques shown. I found this part of the
course particularly useful having had very little exposure to needling the
face. This does require a level of confidence and I felt that the course helped
to build mine in this area.
There was also some discussion on
the business and marketing of facial acupuncture. Sound practical advice was
given on informed consent and patient information as well as covering the
practitioner from incidents such as bruising. I found the discussion on
marketing and advertising facial acupuncture very interesting as it gave me
some ideas on how to position it in my own practice.
Overall, this was a great course
as I felt I came away ready to start practising the technique. I have my first
patient of FRA booked in for a course of six facials starting in September (she
is an existing patient that has done very well on a spirit level so I don’t
feel so bad about it). In the meantime, I have practised the protocol on a few
friends who have been amazed by their glowing and healthy complexions!
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