Connecting Acupuncture and Botox
As you may know, I am formally trained in Chinese Medicine. During a neuromodulator treatment (ie Botox or Dysport), we needle common acupuncture points. This week we learn about acupuncture, common points treated with Botox, and why we use these points.
Acupuncture is a 3000 year old medical treatment and ideology based on the principle of using small needles or pressure to specific points in the body. In Chinese medicine, health stems from the alignment of qi, or ‘vital energy.’ A blockage or excess qi disrupts health. Acupuncture aims to open blockages or reduce excess qi flowing through channels in the body, restoring the meridian interconnectedness and wellness (1).
Below are common acupuncture points stimulated during a Botox treatment. Please note that I am referring to organ systems and meridians from an Eastern medical perspective which is different from our trained Western biomedical thinking.
Yin Tang
This is an extra point that is used to calm the spirit. It treats headaches, sleep issues, the nose, and eye. When treated with Botox, we minimize the ability to scowl.
Bladder 2 - Dispel Wind and Cold, Clear Heat, Open the Nose, Strengthen the Lower Jiao
The Bladder helps kidneys store and transform fluids, and eliminate waste water. BL 2 addresses eye issues, frontal headaches, stops facial pain and treats sinus disorders. BL 2 ‘strengthens the lower jiao’ to help with acute low back injuries and hemorrhoid pain. When treated with Botox, the eyes open and our ability to scowl is modified.
Gallbladder 1 - Brighten Eyes, Dispel Wind and Heat, Alleviates Pain
The Gallbladder channel helps plan, make sound judgment, and execute that plan. It controls the eyes and ears, sides of the body, and regulates the muscles. This point brightens the eyes, improves vision, and treats headaches. Botox here softens crows' feet and opens the eyes.
San Jiao 23 - Benefits the Eyes, Disperses Wind and Heat
The San Jiao channel manages lymph, regulates temperature, and supports hormones. This point stops pain: headaches, eye, and other facial pain. It also helps eyelid/eyebrow and vision issues. We use Botox in SJ 23 to lift the lateral brow.
Stomach 6 - Dispels Wind from Face and Clears Heat & Calms Spirit
The stomach channel functions to control digestion and support the Spleen. Stomach 6 is used when we treat the masseter muscle for jaw clenching and facial slimming. Not surprisingly, this point is also used in Acupuncture to treat issues of the jaw. It is used to treat facial paralysis; masseter spasms/contraction, TMJ, tooth pain, grinding, and mumps. This is classified as a Ghost Point which is used to treat mental and emotional pathologies believed to be due to spiritual possession.
Clinically, I have observed that Botox is particularly helpful with headaches, opening the eyes, and calming the spirit. Our ability to scowl, or appear mad, goes down when we relax our face and this affects the way others perceive and interact with us; supporting a smoother flow of qi in our daily lives.
Resources
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30335320/
Cleaver, Jim. Point Actions Handbook. Muddy Bottom Press. 1992-2012.