Facial Reflexology for Emotional Well-Being

List of Exercises

INTRODUCTION
Healing Faces

ONE
The Roots of Dien Chan Facial Reflexology & Qigong

TWO
The Roots of Stress & Trauma

THREE
The Energetic Dynamic between the Face & Body

FOUR
The Golden Elixir & the Vagus Nerve

FIVE
Touching Faces

SIX
Indra’s Net of Jewels

SEVEN
Maps of Healing

EIGHT
Emotional History

NINE
Making Faces

TEN
Emotions in Dien Chan & Chinese Medicine

ELEVEN
Dien Chan for Emotional Healing

TWELVE
The Two Faces of Buddha

THIRTEEN
Embodiment & Disembodiment

FOURTEEN
Dien Chan for Embodiment & Homecoming

FIFTEEN
Returning to Our Senses

SIXTEEN
Silver Branch Perception

SEVENTEEN
Bringing It All Together

CONCLUSION
An Orientation toward Beauty

APPENDIX A
On Tools & Point Stimulation

APPENDIX B
On Beauty & Appearances

APPENDIX C
The Descent, the Abyss & Dark Mother Energy

Notes

Bibliography

Acknowledgments

Index

About the Author

Alex Scrimgeour is a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist, with a degree in acupuncture and a diploma in Tui-Na massage from the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine. He has studied Dien Chan (Vietnamese facial reflexology) extensively with Trần Dũng Thắng, Bùi Minh Trí, and other master clinicians at the Việt Y Ðạo Center in Vietnam. He gives treatments and teaches at many of the leading spas and wellness centers around the world and is based in London.

"Facial Reflexology for Emotional Well-Being is extremely well written, informative, and quite engaging. As you follow the excellent introduction into the Vietnamese and Chinese medical approach to facial reflexology, you become captivated by the author’s descriptions surrounding its unique history, popularity, and approach to clinical treatment. Alex’s honest and straightforward explanations of these fascinating healing modalities are refreshingly easy to follow, comprehend, and implement. This is a wonderful gift for all future healers who are interested in expanding their knowledge of facial reflexology." Professor Jerry Alan Johnson Ph.D., D.T.C.M., D.M.Q.

“Recent discoveries in the field of neurobiology shed scientific light on how this form of facial reflexology can be used to treat chronic stress, PTSD, addiction, and other psychic disorders without the need for debilitating drugs. This book explains how facial reflexology works as an interface between psyche and soma and how the vital energy points on the face may serve as a keyboard to restore balance and harmony to the inner workings of the human mind.” Daniel Reid, author of The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity

“Having introduced a synthesis of Chinese and Ayurvedic medical approaches in my own work, I highly recommend Alex Scrimgeour’s parallel integration of Vietnamese and Chinese medical approaches in Facial Reflexology for Emotional Well-Being. This outstanding book is a deeply thoughtful presentation of the history and practice of Vietnamese Dien Chan and its Chinese analogs that incorporate other styles of qiqong. It is appropriate for both health care practitioners and the public at large.” Peter Eckman, M.D., Ph.D., author of The Compleat Acupuncturist

“Alex Scrimgeour beautifully weaves ancient wisdom with practical applications to help people connect with the cosmos and bring their spirit fully within. He eloquently describes the effective practice of Dien Chan that he studied with his master. This book makes a wonderful addition to the various self-care techniques that enhance the spirit and benefit the body’s physiology.” CT Holman, author of Treating Emotional Trauma with Chinese Medicine

“This book is a treasure that not only shares the exquisite teachings of Dien Chan therapy but also takes us on a journey of holistic healing to our physical, emotional, and mental bodies.” Jovinna Chan, cofounder of the Pranotthan School of Yoga

HEALTH/BODYWORK

“Recent discoveries in the field of neurobiology shed scientific light on how this form of facial reflexology can be used to treat chronic stress, PTSD, addiction, and other psychic disorders without the need for debilitating drugs. This book explains how facial reflexology works as an interface between psyche and soma and how the vital energy points on the face may serve as a keyboard to restore balance and harmony to the inner workings of the human mind.”
–Daniel Reid, author of The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity

The Vietnamese facial reflexology practice of Dien Chan offers simple touch and massage techniques that engage the reflexology points of the face to help you tap in to the innate healing and regenerative powers of the body. Taking the practice further, master practitioner Alex Scrimgeour shows how to integrate Dien Chan with qigong and Chinese medicine as well as recent developments in neuroscience and cognitive science to treat a variety of emotional issues, from anxiety, addiction, and stress to trauma, dissociation, and PTSD.

In this practical guide, Scrimgeour details easy facial reflexology self-care techniques to soothe the nervous system, calm your emotions, diminish stress and anxiety, obtain mental clarity, and bring a sense of safety and relaxation to your mind-body. He shows how the techniques often generate immediate effects and how the ability to feel safe, peaceful, and content within your body can in turn transform your perception and experience of the world. Sharing clear diagrams, the author presents the major Dien Chan facial maps and protocols for working with different emotional states. He explores the energetic dynamic between the face and the body through the lens of neurophysiology and qigong as well as looking at the connections between qigong self-massage and the vagus nerve, revealing how self-massage techniques can effect change in the mind-body nexus. He explains how to use Dien Chan for spiritual self-development and self-inquiry, providing 23 meditative facial reflexology exercises that combine Dien Chan with qigong and traditional Eastern meditation practices.

Revealing the holistic connections between the face and both physical and emotional health, this in-depth guide shows how simple facial reflexology practices can bring vibrant health and deep healing.

Alex Scrimgeour is a licensed acupuncturist and massage therapist, with a degree in acupuncture and a diploma in Tui-Na massage from the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine. He has studied Dien Chan (Vietnamese facial reflexology) extensively with Trần Dũng Thắng, Bùi Minh Trí, and other master clinicians at the Việt Y Ðạo Center in Vietnam. He gives treatments and teaches at many of the leading spas and wellness centers around the world and is based in London.