Constitutional Facial Acupuncture
"Changing the Face of Aging"

Mary Elizabeth Wakefield, L. Ac., M. S., M. M., is a pioneer in the field of “healthy aging,” and will be writing a column addressing this topic, along with her other colleagues, who are also experts in this field.  She is a co-creator of the Marisanda™ Constitutional Facial Protocol and can be reached at 866-841-9139, x 2449.

Ms. Wakefield has 22 years of clinical professional experience in the healing arts.  A licensed acupuncturist, NCCAOM certified, she is also a Zen Shiatsu practitioner, massage therapist, cranio-sacral therapist, opera singer and Interfaith minister.   A graduate of Tri-State College of Acupuncture in New York, she has studied with such notable acupuncturists as Kiiko Matsumoto, Dr. Mark Seem, Arya Nielson, Carolyn Bengston, Dr. Yitian Ni, Richard Tan, Jeffrey Yuen and Fabien Maman.

She studied acupuncture and acupressure for rejuvenating the face with Sensei Nakamura, a disciple of Jacques Lavier, the “Father of French Acupuncture,” as well as with Carolyn Bengston.

Ms. Wakefield has taught these techniques at AZ Acupuncture School and the Desert Healing Center in Tucson, the Schreiber Center in NYC, ACTCM in San Francisco and in Oakland, CA, on the Big Island of Hawaii, and at Mercy College in Dobbs Ferry, NY.  Her work and practice was recently featured in an issue of Vegetarian Times.

With the millions of baby boomers now present in our population, there is, especially now, an increasing interest in the organic process of aging, one involves not only the body, but also the mind and spirit.

Unconventional modalities, such as acupuncture, offer a preventative alternative that can enhance longevity, beauty, quality of life and youthful vigor, while still honoring the accumulated wisdom that can be the reward of long life.

We, as acupuncturists, are in a unique position to synergize ancient knowledge with modern technology, and likewise guide and educate the population about “healthy aging,” Constitutional Facial Acupuncture, Acupressure and Herbal Support.

This is a growing, comprehensive field with a captive audience, and facial acupuncture can serve as a wonderful adjunct to any standard acupuncture practice.  But first, there is a need to educate acupuncturists about this abundant modality, and then to reach out to the public with knowledge, wisdom, compassion and skill.

While most acupuncture texts associate the concept of “rejuvenation” with aging and its corresponding treatment with facial acupuncture, we feel that the idea of “renewal” is more in keeping with the spirit of this new millennium.

Because, in these new times of uncertainty, fear, and post-traumatic stress, “renewing” oneself implies embarking upon a journey that is not simply dedicated to the reattainment of youth, but embodies much more.

In such a journey, there exists a kernel of possibility for transformative change.  This revolution originates from within and manifests itself outwardly in the radiance of our Shen, reflecting tolerance, compassion, beauty and peaceful balance.

In future columns in this series, we will discuss issues that are relevant to “healthy aging,” beauty and longevity, both on esoteric and practical levels.

Our ongoing exploration of this new, transformative approach to aging will include discussions of Constitutional Facial Acupuncture, Acupressure and Herbal Therapies, Five Element hand and face analysis, Five Element wrinkle analysis, contraindications, benefits, Qi gong isometric facial exercises, tuning fork “tune-ups,” magnets, Feng Shui facials, non-needle modalities, such as facial microcurrent machines, neuromuscular stimulatora, Acu-lift™ light-emitting diode machines, a microcurrent device that employs light, color and gems, skin syndromes such as hyperpigmentation, dark circles, etc., specific acupuncture points and protocols for constitutional support, essential oils, facial poultices, flower remedies for psycho-spiritual support, and a number of other relevant topics.

We look forward to establishing our connection with you in this new field of “healthy aging.”