An authoritative guide which combines traditional diagnostic insight with contemporary tools
“Face acupuncture is a newly emerging modern sub-specialty, under the greater umbrella of Chinese medicine. Given the lack of ancient sources and relevant protocols, the work of Michelle Gellis stands as a landmark contribution to the field of integrative facial medicine, not only in the west, but also in China where this discipline is not yet developed. The book is a complete diatribe, offering both breadth and depth, for those practitioners seeking to refine their understanding and treatment of the conditions involving the face.
This book under no circumstances should be mistaken for simply being a guide for “beauty acupuncture”. On the contrary, it is an authoritative guide which combines traditional diagnostic insight with contemporary tools such as facial motor point therapy, scalp acupuncture, microneedling, and red-light therapy. Gellis’s attention to anatomical precision and her systematic integration of both cosmetic and neuromuscular approaches make this work valuable not only for acupuncturists, but for a wide range of allied health professionals engaged in facial therapies.
As such it includes protocols for conditions such as Bell’s Palsy, trigeminal neuralgia, and myasthenia gravis, all of which are presented with clarity and supported by both visual and textual guidance. The text is assisted with an abundance of full-color illustrations that enhance the reading experience.
Overall, the book functions as a detailed clinical manual, a teaching tool, and a reference that practitioners can return to repeatedly.
Michelle Gellis has fully embodied the spirit of integrative medicine, and created a rare synthesis of practical application, safety protocols, and theoretical depth, making Treating the Face a valuable addition to the modern canon of Chinese medical literature.
It is a paramount work that will undoubtedly influence how the face is understood and treated within the framework of Chinese medicine for many years to come.”
Ioannis Solos MD(China)., PhD., L.Ac
Practical business approaches for clinical practice
“Michelle Gellis has provided the acupuncture world with a comprehensive textbook and sets a new standard for the profession. Perfectly integrating theories of biomedicine and TCM, she expertly describes the anatomical physiology of the face and provides a myriad of treatments for a great variety of pathologies. Michelle has decades of expertise in Five-Element acupuncture, thus providing the theoretical framework for neuromuscular disorders, skin conditions, and many more treatable pathologies in the context of facial acupuncture, scalp acupuncture, sub-muscular needling, microneedling, Gua sha, and facial cupping. In addition, she also provides practical business approaches for clinical practice throughout the text. Filled with essential diagrams and illustrations, the layout is superb. This is a must-have textbook in the field of acupuncture and Chinese medicine.”
Robert Hoffman, DAOM, L.Ac.
PRESIDENT/CEO
YO SAN UNIVERSITY OF TCM
An essential addition to your library
“More than just a reference, this brilliant book by Michelle Gellis provides a comprehensive exploration of facial treatments in Chinese medicine, with a focus on emotional well-being and self-care. Covering a wide range of topics, it examines facial anatomy and treatment techniques, including scalp acupuncture and facial motor points, all beautifully illustrated. Conditions like Bell’s palsy, trigeminal neuralgia and ptosis are thoroughly addressed, along with tools such as cupping, gua sha, microneedling, and red-light therapy. An invaluable resource for anyone studying or practicing acupuncture, this book is an essential addition to your library.”
Deirdre Courtney, MTCM
AUTHOR, MASTER FACE READER
Well worth reading
“Michelle Gellis’ book, Treating the Face, is an excellent resource for anyone interested in the specialty. The work is comprehensive, and the illustrations are excellent.
But what makes this book a must-read is Michelle’s deep and compassionate understanding that how we “face” the world is a direct expression of our lived experience. She reminds us that our demeanor is a reflection of our thoughts, emotions, memories and constitution. She skillfully shows the reader how to support the root while treating the manifestation. This book is well worth reading and keeping close by on your reference shelf.”
Yvonne R. Farrell, DAOM
AUTHOR, TEACHER
A deep dive into all aspects of facial anatomy
“I must congratulate Michelle Gellis on creating an exceptionally valuable work for professionals engaged in teaching, practicing, or simply wishing to understand the intricacies of cosmetic acupuncture.
Michelle provides a touching insight into her journey of mastering the application of Five Element and scalp acupuncture within the context of neuromuscular disorders and much more. From this foundational ‘why,’ we are taken on a deep dive into all aspects of facial anatomy, exploring every component necessary to comprehend the complex mind, body, and spirit interface with our faces.
This book expertly explains the impact of life experiences or epigenetics on facial expression and offers strategies to address concerns arising from these expressions. Additionally, it illuminates why facial acupuncture is so therapeutically powerful.
I look forward to regularly using and recommending this insightful and comprehensive resource.”
Amanda Shayle, MAcS, MPCHM, Cert Nat Sci
FOUNDER/CEO
ACUREGEN Ltd
A significant repository of clinically useful information
“To my knowledge this is the first book of its kind. bringing together as it does the yawning gaps between so-called five-element (aka Worsley style) acupuncture, with its focus on the psychoemotional harmony of the patient, with modern acupuncture approaches to cosmetic treatment and facial pathologies, such as motor points, scalp acupuncture and submuscular needling. The author certainly walks her talk in terms of approaching the patient as a continuum of body-mind-spirit, and seems as fascinated by the finer details of anatomy and physiology as she is curious of the most subtle levels of her patients’ inner emotional life, bringing together the exhortation of the Su Wen to ‘first treat the spirit’ with the most pragmatic and earth-bound of technical acupuncture knowledge. It is a fine looking book, beautifully bound and illuminated in full colour. The extensive use of images – from original drawings of the channels and points through cross-sectional anatomical representations and photos from cadaver dissection – collate an impressive repository of visual information that will be useful for any practitioner wishing to treat the face. The five-element content is extensive, and the author emphasises the unique importance of the face – both diagnostically and for needling – when the focus is the emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of a human being. Diagnostically this focus is greatly assisted by the chapter ‘Anatomy of Expression’, in which the author takes the optimal observational acuity aspired to by fiveelement practitioners to new levels of breadth and clarity, not only to improve readers’ ability to perceive the movements of qi that ripple across their patients’ faces, but also so that they understand the precise muscles involved in each emotion. At the heart of the book is the author’s specialist subject of cosmetic acupuncture, and in this section her knowledge and skill shines brightly. There is a deep dive into all the anatomical components of the face – skin, fat, muscle, fascia and bone, and the typical complaints of cosmetic acupuncture patients – wrinkles, sags and lines – are presented in detail through prose and image. This masterclass in cosmetic acupuncture shows just how much knowledge and expertise goes into such treatment. The reader is provided with everything they need to practise this type of acupuncture, such as clear treatment protocols and even marketing and pricing advice. I particularly appreciated the clarity with which needling techniques are described and shown through photos, as well as the sections on how the practitioner should understand and work alongside the orthodox cosmetic treatments that many patients may be undergoing alongside acupuncture (such as chemical peels or fillers). Beyond general cosmetic treatment, the text goes into the treatment of specific cosmetic conditions such as acne, dry skin or vitiligo, and also common neuromuscular facial pathologies such as Bell’s palsy, trigeminal neuralgia or synkinesis. One minor gripe is that the amount of content given to some conditions seems far too brief; for example, at less than two pages, the section on stroke may have been better left to more dedicated texts. Perhaps my favourite parts of the book were the sections on scalp acupuncture, motor points and submuscular needling. These sections constitute an extremely pragmatic and empowering introduction to these methods. There is enough detail to orientate more experienced practitioners to get started, although I suspect novices would need to attend in-person classes to safely attempt such techniques. The authorial voice is of a seasoned practitioner who wishes to share her hard-won clinical experience, for example that scalp acupuncture can be uncomfortable, even when applied by a skilled practitioner, and therefore one can needle points like auricular Shenmen before treating the scalp. The chapters that follow on the practical aspects of facial cupping, guasha, microneedling and red light therapy are very welcome. Like much of the material in this text, their value lies in the reader’s confidence that the material has been properly understood, clinically validated and clearly transmitted, all in the interests of making readers more effective in clinic. This book is an eclectic mix, drawn as it is from the author’s many years of treating the face. In this eclecticism it mirrors the variety of life in clinic, and will just as much help a practitioner to relieve the pain of someone with trigeminal neuralgia as it will to help them lift the flesh and spirits of an ageing beauty. The material is bound together by the author’s intent to provide ‘more than just a technical guide; it is an invitation to deepen your understanding of the face as a reflection of the whole person.’ In this job it is entirely successful, and for that the author should be congratulated. It constitutes a significant repository of clinically useful information, all presented in a context that acknowledges the importance of both the interior world of the human being as well as their exterior beauty and physical functionality. I have no hesitation in commending this book it to the profession.”
Daniel Maxwell, Editor
Journal of Chinese Medicine | Issue 137 | February 2025
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