Mieke Fraussen on TCM face reading and what your face reveals about stress and burnout.

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'I find it so fascinating: those subtle signals that come and go, often before the body is truly out of balance.'

In addition to her work as an acupuncturist, herbalist, nutritionist, and Qi Gong teacher, Mieke Fraussen also trains others in the unique world of Chinese Face Reading. She, along with five other experts, provides an exclusive Webinar program for NVA members during Acupuncture Week. Of course, we also wanted Mieke to share some of her knowledge with other interested parties, so we asked her some questions.

To what extent can you tell from someone's face that they are overburdened?
Your face is a direct reflection of what is happening inside, in your mind, your nervous system, and your organs. Everything in the body is interconnected: your emotions, your brain, and your organs are constantly communicating through subtle signals. Within traditional Chinese medicine, we link this to the five elements, which together reflect the balance between body and mind.
You can see the face as a map of these connections. When one of the organs or elements becomes imbalanced, either physically or emotionally, it becomes visible on the face. Lines appear, wrinkles form, features change shape, or we see discolorations in certain areas. Thus, the face shows us where the system is overloaded and where healing is needed.

What are small signals on the face that clients often do not notice themselves, but say a lot about their energy level?
Even though we look in the mirror every day, I am always struck by how little we really see. Students and clients often do not notice that a new line has appeared, or that a small pimple suddenly appears on the bridge of the nose. Simply because they do not know how and where to look and because they do not know what this means. But once you know how and where to look, you can never switch off reading faces.

I find it so fascinating: those subtle signals that come and go, often before the body truly gets out of balance. Only when something becomes more visible, it usually indicates a deeper disturbance, at the level of the Wu Xing (the five elements) and the Wu Shen (the five spirits). Therefore, the face warns us long before an imbalance settles in the organs. So, do not see it as something wrong, but as a friendly wake-up call. Don’t shoot the messenger, the face always speaks first.

Can you also give simple self-care advice based on the face, for example, about rest or nutrition?
Once you know what a certain line, spot, shape, or wrinkle means, and how to link it to the Wu Xing (five elements) and Wu Shen (five spirits), it becomes very easy to give targeted lifestyle advice around rest, nutrition, and recovery. Face Reading shows where the system needs support, often long before physical or mental complaints arise. That is why it is one of the most powerful and preventive tools within the TCM practice. A must-know for every TCM practitioner.

More stories during the Acupuncture Week
This interview is part of the Acupuncture Week, which this year focuses on burnout. During this week, we share various conversations with acupuncturists and clients about how they view the recovery from both physical and mental exhaustion from the perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Also, read the other interviews and be inspired by stories from acupuncturists and their clients about recovery and balance.