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Traditional Acupuncture
Facial Cupping and Gua Sha
Michelle Gellis AP MAc LAc DiplAc

©2009 Michelle Gellis LAc MAc DiplAc

Michelle Gellis is a Licensed and Board Certified

Acupuncturist. She has been a Faculty Member and
Clinic Supervisor at the Maryland University of
Integrative Health since 2004. Michelle holds a Bachelor
of Science Degree from Seton Hall University School of
Business in Computer Science, MS Masters Degree in
Acupuncture from the Traditional Acupuncture Institute.
Michelle teaches classes on facial cupping, gua sha and
treating neuromuscular facial conditions such as Stroke,
Multiple Sclerosis , Trigeminal Neuralgia, TMJ and Bells
Palsy with acupuncture. She has been published in The
Journal of Chinese Medicine, Acupuncture Today, the
Maryland Acupuncture Society Newsletter, and The
Acupuncture Desk Reference
Gellis, M., A Multifaceted Approach to the Acupuncture Treatment of
Neuromuscular Facial Conditions. Journal of Chinese Medicine • Number
110 • February 2016.
Gellis, M.,The Importance of Clearing Blocks Prior to Facial Acupuncture
Treatment. Journal of Chinese Medicine • Number 116 • February 2018.

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Agenda
• Facial Cupping
• Facial Gua Sha

©2009 Michelle Gellis LAc MAc DiplAc

Housekeeping
• All products can be ordered through

vhttps://www.aculiftskincare.com

©2009 Michelle Gellis LAc MAc DiplAc

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Testimonials
• Since I started facial rejuvenation, the lines on my forehead
have become noticeably smoother. The color and tone of
my skin has improved. But best of all, the brown spots on
my face, which I have had for years, are fading and breaking
up! I am not sure which I am happiest about--the improved
texture of my skin or the lighter brown spots! - Anita
• "I began suffering from hormonal acne in my mid-thirties,
after traditional treatment options (prescription creams,
antibiotics, and other medications) didn't work, I sought an
alternative treatment. I read about acupuncture and
decided to give it a try. I began seeing Michelle Gellis in
March and in a little over two months my skin is clear. I am
so amazed that this actually worked! I am a believer in
acupuncture and happily continue to get treatment." -
Donna
• "After only one treatment I noticed my furrowed brows were
markedly more relaxed. The lines were not nearly as deep.
People commented on the glow my skin has. This is great!"
-Meg

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Facial Cupping
• Designed to bring Blood & Qi circulation to
the skin and muscles
• Stimulates blood to the tissues and stimulate
collagen and elastin production
• By improving blood circulation to the skin,
fibroblast cells are stimulated which produce
natural collagen and elastin
• Increasing fibroblast activity thickens the
skin back to its youthful state. This helps
repair thin, slackening skin.

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Facial Cupping
• Smoothes fine lines, relaxes tight facial
muscles
• Relaxes tight fascial tissue
• Move out stagnant lymph, fluids and toxins
• Face will appear tighter and toned and the
Lymphatic system of the face and neck will
function significantly better
• Movement of inflammation as in Rosacea
• Strengthens vascular integrity of the face

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Cupping/gua sha and fascia

• The facial nerve controls the motor
movements of the face
• It exits to the surface at SJ17
• Bifucates into five branches across the
face
• Facial cupping and gua sha can release
nerves which have become entrapped
in tight fascial tissue.

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Cups
• Small Bulb Suction cups work best
• AculiftSkinCare.com

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Aculift Cupping/Gua Sha Set

AculiftSkinCare.com 10

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EXTREME Aesthetic
Facial Cupping Oil

What is it?
– A physician designed formulated to
effectively reduce inflammation and
delight the bodies anti-oxidant
reactors
What’s it made of?
– A proprietary blend of almond , rice
bran, sunflower, coconut oils, organic
camellia oil, Phyto cannabinoid hemp
oil ( CBD ), organic arnica montana
flower extract, and essential oils to
nourish and restore.
How do I use it?
– Use for facial cupping or body
cupping. Also as an after-sun care
product, couples massage or as an
effective beard oil.

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Aculift Safety Shield

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Patient Screening
• Phone Screening for Contraindications:
– High blood pressure
– Problems with bruising
– Severe Migraines
– Recent Microdermabrasion
– Severe Acne
– Botox, derma Filler (Restylane, Juvederm
etc)
– Facial Herpes
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Meeting with New Patient

• Biggest concern?
•
• Other areas to concentrate on?
•
• Do you bruise easily?
•
• Acne?
•
• Red or Pale Face?
•
• Facial puffiness?
•
• Allergies?
•
• Sensitive Skin?
•
• Previous surgeries on face?
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Precautions
• Open sores on face, or infection skin
disease
• Conjunctivitis
• Pregnancy
• Immediately after chemical or surgical
treatments on face, should wait 8-10
weeks
• Immediately after chemotherapy or
radiation, unless recommended by a doctor
• People prone to blood clots. There is a risk
of blood clots being dislodged.
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Treatment Frequency
• 2-5 days between treatments
• Maintenance 1-2x/month

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Five Element Theory

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Entry Exit Block

Below is a representation of the Chinese clock, twelve meridians and Entry/Exit points:

Time Sequence Meridian Entry Point Exit Point

According to
Chinese Clock

11AM-1 PM I Heart Ht1 Ji Quan Ht9 Shao Chong

1 PM- 3 PM II Small Intestine SI1 Shao Ze SI19 Ting Gong
3 PM- 5 PM III Bladder Bl1 Jing Ming Bl67 Zhi Yin
5 PM- 7 PM IV Kidney Ki1 Yong Quan Ki22 Bu Lang
7 PM- 9 PM V Pericardium PC1 Tian Chi PC8 Lao Gong
9PM- 11PM VI San Jiao SJ1 Guan Chong SJ22 He Liao
11PM- 1 AM VII Gallbladder GB1Tong Zi Liao Gb41 Zu Lin Qi
1AM- 3 AM VIII Liver Lr1 Da Dun Lr14 Qi Men
3AM- 5 AM IX Lung Lu1 Zhong Fu Lu7 Lie Que
5AM- 7 AM X Large Intestine LI4 He Gu LI20 Ying Xiang
7AM- 9 AM XI Stomach St1 Cheng Qi St42 chong yang
9AM-11AM XII Spleen Sp1 Yin Bai Sp21 Da Bao

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Flow of energy
• HT=I • GB=VII
• SI=II • LR=VIII
• BL=III • LU=IX
• KI=IV • LI=X
• PC=V • ST=XI
• TE=VI • SP=XII

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Entry/Exit Blocks
• Identified on the pulse
• Exists when the pulse of a lower numbered
meridian is stronger than the pulse of a higher
numbered meridian according to the chinses clock
• Ex. II/III block is when SI pulse is larger than BL
– Treatment:
– Tonify the exit point of the lower-numbered merician
(stronger pulse)
– Then tonify the entry point of the next meridian.
– Tonify=insert needle, turn 180 degrees clockwise,
– remove

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Entry/Exit Blocks
• Identified on the pulse
• Exists when the pulse of a lower numbered
meridian is stronger than the pulse of a higher
numbered meridian according to the chinese clock
• Ex. II/III block is when SI pulse is larger than BL
– Treatment:
– Tonify the exit point of the lower-numbered meridian
(stronger pulse)
– Then tonify the entry point of the next meridian.
– Tonify=insert needle, turn 180 degrees clockwise,
– remove

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Protocol
• Make certain Patients face and your hands are clean
• After Clearing all blocks:
• Needle GB41 Bilaterally : to ground the patient
• Needle 3 Lower HE Sea Points (ST36, ST37(10ACI),
• ST39(7ACI)) : to open the face
• ST36=ST , ST37=LI ST39=SI
• If Dark spots, Needle LR14, LR3
• Needle GV20 and Eye Reflex Point(GB18): to raise
the energy and affect the eye area-Have patient put
hands on ears, where middle finger hits is eye reflex
point.
• If you are not needling, cups can be applied to these
areas and left for a short time

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symbols
• X=suction and release
• O=suction
• ___=drag cup

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SCM

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Lymphatic Drainage
• Apply Oil
• Turn head to side
• Start at TE17, and apply suction to activate
the channel
• Work down SCM to KI27 area
• Important not to drag cup down neck as
carotid and jugular can be adversely
affected
• Travel along clavicle to LU2 area
• Repeat 2-3 times

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Lymphatic
Drainage

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Open Entry/Exit points

• SI19
• BL1
• TE22
• GB1
• LI20
• ST1

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Throat
• Turn head forward
• Begin at ST9 move across neck laterally
• Go down to ST 10 move across neck
laterally
• Repeat 2-3 times

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Under Chin
• Clears stagnation from under the chin
• Turn head forward
• Start under chin
• Support side of face
• Move under jaw in three strokes
• When doing long strokes hold onto cup
• Long stroke up to TE17
• After every three strokes Move down side
of neck
• Repeat 2-3 times
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Jaw
• Start at chin CV24
• Long stroke up to ear: suction at GB2
• Down to TE17, suction
• Repeat 2-3 times
• After every three strokes Move down
side of neck

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Mid Face
• Begin at ST4
• Move cup up ST channel to ST 3 & up
to ST2
• suction cup briefly at ST2
• Begin at ST5 Move cup up ST channel
stopping at ST 6, 7, 8

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Lips
• Suction cup at CV24
• Use suction and move across lips
• Cup can be suctioned over fine lines for a short time
• Move cup across lower lip to ST4 then suction
• Suction cup at GV26
• Move cup across upper lip to ST4 then suction
• Both lips can be suctioned in cup to increase blood
flow.

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Sinus Drainage
• Suction cup at LI20
• Move across face to SI18 suction again
• Move across to GB2 suction
• Move down the side of the face to TE17
and down the neck
• Great time to also release tight TMJ
muscles

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O
O

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Eye Area
• Get very close under eye, making sure not to puff air
into eye
• suction and release across under eye and Move to
side stopping at Qu Hou and Tai Yang
• Repeat 2-3 times
• Cup above eye tilting slightly so as not to cup
eyeball
• End at Tai Yang
• Move down face and down neck

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Forehead
• Suction cup at Yin Tang and then at
BL2 to release frown lines
• Glide across hairline to Tai Yang &
suction
• Move to GB2
• Move down to TE17 and down the neck
• Repeat two to three times

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Corrugator & Procerus

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Lift eyebrow
• Important part of TX
• Suction at Yin Tang up to DU24
• Suction at Yu Yao up to GB15
• Suction Tai Yang up to ST8
• Repeat entire process on other side of
face

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Rosacea

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TMJ
• suction cup at:
• GB2
• TH21
• ST7
• Gua Sha around temporalis muscle

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Bells Palsy
• Needles:
• LI4
• ST36
• ST44
• Cupping:
• Cup areas effecting mouth and eye,
suction cup at:
• ST4 LI19 GB20
• ST2 GB14 GV26
• ST7 BL2 YuYao
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Theory
• The facial points are in the muscles
supplied by the facial nerve.
• Treating these points helps to spread
Qi through the channels of the face.
• Points such as GB20 disperses wind
and cold
• Treating LI4, ST44 and ST36 opens
these meridians which pass through
the face to the circulation of QI
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Facial Gua Sha

• Done as the last step of treatment
• Can help with deep wrinkles, sagging, facial
discoloration and under eye puffiness.
• Detoxifies the face
• Great for Rosacea
• Very beneficial for lip wrinkles, crows feet,
Nasolabial folds and forehead lines
• Benefits the Fu organs, LI, ST, GB, SI, BL, TE

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Facial Gua Sha

Relaxes the sinews=relaxes the liver
-Clears wind=>metal=>skin & Tics
-Expells fire-invigorates blood
-Harmonizes blood, helps with stagnant blood
-Improves microcirculation by causing microtrauma-heals
-Opens pores

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Contraindications
• Skin irritations (eczema, psoriasis, herpes)
• Growth on skin
• Bone injury
• Blood vessel ailments (spider veins etc)
• Pregnancy
• Immediately after chemical or surgical
treatments on face, should wait till healed
• Immediately after chemotherapy or
radiation, unless recommended by a doctor

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Gua Sha tools

AculiftSkincare.com

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Jade Gua Sha Tools

• The jade gua sha tools, are used for jade therapy. A
static electromagnetic field originates during the
contact of the jade with the human body
• Regular use of jade therapy
• Strengthen internal organs and systems (liver,
stomach, heart, bonds the entire circulatory system,
vision, hearing) and spirit
• Softens blood vessels
• Smoothes out wrinkles
• Improves quality of blood

Aculiftskincare.com
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Technique

• Large scraping strokes must be done

Gently, evenly and steady
• Perform in one direction
• Deep Wrinkle Gua Sha can be done
more vigorously

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Technique continued
• Step 1: Apply oil
• Step 2: For Deep wrinkles, open wrinkle
up with one hand and hold the gua sha
tool in the other
• Step 3: apply friction across the wrinkle
with edge of tool
• the wrinkle should look slightly red
from friction of Gua Sha
• Step 4: Use flat edge to iron the area
flat
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–Chin
v Work under chin to
move excess fluid
vUse U part of tool
around chin
v Work up to TE17 and
massage
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Lips
v Top lip start at GV26,
Bottom lip start at CV24
v Work vigorously
around all lip wrinkles

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•Cheeks
v Start at LI20, Massage and
scrape along and up side of
face
vStop at ST 3, SI18 and ST7
to massage

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Eyes
v Massage BL2
vUse “U” part of tool around
orbital rim and brow
vGently perform Gua Sha
around crows feet
vBe very gentle to avoid
bruising
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• Forehead
v iron forehead lines
v Massage yin tang
v Work from center out and
from brow up
v Massage Tai Yang at end of
stroke

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Facial Gua Sha

• End treatment with scalp massage
using wide, flat part of tool.
• Massage temporalis muscle and along
bladder line and down the trapezius

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Gua Sha Demo

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Before After one treatment

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