Aesthetic, Cosmetic or Facial Acupuncture?
The terms “Aesthetic Acupuncture”, “Cosmetic Acupuncture” and “Facial Acupuncture” are often used interchangeably but this can be misleading as they define different areas of the same area of acupuncture. The majority of facial courses concentrate on facial acupuncture, which simply means the use of the facial points. These are often used for cosmetic enhancement but actually also have other effects which can be musculoskeletal or specific distal or internal effects. When used for cosmetic enhancement these facial points do have good local effect and increase oxygen and blood flow but you need more than just the facial acupuncture points to be able to treat the range of cosmetic issues you encounter with clients. You also need cosmetic and aesthetic acupuncture. Cosmetic points cause a cosmetic change in the face and can help deal with client issues. Cosmetic points can be local but many people do not know that there are many distal body points which have specific cosmetic results for a wide range of presenting conditions. Aesthetic points deal with the actual aesthetic or beauty of the face and have a wide range of techniques and specific protocols, and do aesthetically change the person’s appearance giving an overall perception of increased beauty. Below is a list of recommendations that I have for when you are looking for a Cosmetic or Aesthetic Acupuncture course, or indeed one which encompasses both sets of skills into one course. These are the essential points that we encourage you to contact the course provider to check; All in all, we encourage you not to just choose the cheapest or most convenient course for you. It’s worth shopping around and investing in a course that teaches you the best techniques to help your clients and not just the course which is nearest to you, or that is taught by a teacher you have heard about, or where your friend studied. Ask them the difficult questions, and now you can look at their course information with an informed eye. A core skills training course is an investment in your future. Make sure you get it right and don’t just trust the sales pitch. by Chris Davies – CEO of The British Acupuncture Federation – Founder of Chris Davies Acupuncture (Association of Acupuncture Clinicians Board Member)