A B M P m e m b e r s ea r n F R E E C E h o u r s by rea d i n g t h i s i s s u e ! 47
KEY POINT
• Understanding
the anatomy of
facial muscles
can help you
begin successful
sessions with a
grounding facial
massage.
When the muscles of a client's face
relax under a massage practitioner's
educated touch, a deep relaxation
response follows. This occurs because
the primary function of the facial
muscles is emotional expression;
these muscles provide a gateway to the
emotional body. I've found that tracing
the facial muscles in a slow, rhythmic
manner initiates a wave of profound,
whole-body relaxation in a receptive
client. Relaxing the facial muscles can
be a powerful tool for unlocking
unconscious muscular guarding,
quieting the mind, and dialing
down autonomic tone, so it's a
great place to begin a massage.
