Rooted in myofascial release and lymphatic drainage, this method goes beyond surface-level massage to work with the body’s connective tissue, nervous system, and stored emotional patterns.
Face Up® Massage Method developped by Olga Newman is a therapeutic treatment designed to release deep tension in the face, head, and neck. It has a profound impact on calming and regulating the nervous system, helping the body shift from a state of stress and tension into deep relaxation and balance.It serves as a bottom- up regulation of the nervous system.
Many chronic issues such as headaches, jaw tension (TMJ dysfunction), neck pain, and facial discomfort stem from restrictions in the fascia — the web-like connective tissue that links muscles and structures throughout the body. Over time, stress, poor posture, and habitual holding patterns cause this tissue to tighten and lose mobility, compressing nerves and blood vessels. This can lead to pain, reduced circulation, and stagnation of fluids in the tissues.
Face Up® addresses these underlying causes through precise, hands-on techniques:
- Myofascial Release: Gently unwinds tension in the fascia of the face, jaw, neck, and shoulders, restoring space and mobility to tissues. This improves blood and nerve flow, helping to relieve pain and discomfort while supporting natural healing.
- Lymphatic Drainage: Stimulates the lymphatic system to clear stagnant fluid, reduce swelling, and improve overall tissue health, especially helpful for sinus congestion and tension-related puffiness.
- Somatic and Emotional Release: Facial muscles express our emotions, we often develop patterns of hold unprocessed stress or trauma. Through mindful touch and guided breath, the method helps the nervous system shift from a state of stress to deep relaxation, allowing both physical and emotional “letting go.”
Unlike conventional treatments that only address symptoms, Face Up® recognises the face as part of a whole-body system. Work extends to the neck, shoulders, and even posture, because tightness in these areas directly impacts facial tension, headaches, and jaw pain.
Over a series of tailored sessions, clients often experience:
- Reduced frequency and intensity of headaches and migraines
- Relief from jaw clenching, teeth grinding, and TMJ dysfunction
- Decreased neck and shoulder pain through improved alignment
- Improved sinus drainage and reduction in facial pressure
- A profound sense of relaxation and nervous system balance
Face Up® is ideal for anyone seeking a natural, hands-on way to address chronic facial and neck tension, restore fluid movement, and reconnect with a deep sense of ease in both body and mind.
I offer this massage at Action Health Clinic at 193 Shakespear Road in Milford, Auckland
| Treatment Duration: 60 minutes |
| Price: NZ$250 |
The Face Up unique technique
The Body Remembers
The body has its own memory system.
When we go through something overwhelming — whether a major trauma or the buildup of everyday stress — our natural stress response cycle can get interrupted.
Instead of completing the cycle (mobilizing to respond, then releasing and returning to calm), the body gets stuck in a heightened or collapsed state.
This unprocessed energy doesn’t just disappear — it stays lodged in the fascia, muscles, and nervous system, leading to:
- Persistent muscle tension or stiffness
- TMJ and jaw clenching
- Headaches and migraines
- Anxiety, emotional numbness, or a sense of being “on edge”
- Sleep disturbances and fatigue
- Digestive system disruptions
Why Talking Alone Isn’t Enough
While talk therapy is incredibly valuable, true healing must involve a “bottom-up” approach — working directly with the body.
This is because trauma and unprocessed emotions are stored in implicit memory, a non-verbal form of memory that lives in the body and nervous system.
To fully heal, we need to include:
- Sensory-based practices, like massage or breathwork
- Movement and somatic techniques, to discharge stored energy
- Vagus nerve activation, to restore balance between stress and rest
- Mind-body awareness, like interoception (noticing internal sensations)
The Vagus Nerve: A Key Player in Emotional Healing
The vagus nerve is a communication superhighway between the brain and body.
It regulates vital functions like heart rate, digestion, levels of inflammation and emotional regulation.
Chronic stress or trauma can reduce vagal tone, making it harder to shift from stress into a state of calm and safety.
Massage — especially gentle work around the face, jaw, and neck — directly engages the vagus nerve, helping to reset the nervous system.
Benefits Aimed For:
What people tend to get out of Face Up massages:
Lifted / more sculpted facial contours (jawline, cheeks, etc.) without surgery.
Reduced puffiness, softer fine lines, improved skin glow via increased blood flow & circulation.
Relief of muscular tension (jaw, neck, etc.), less discomfort, more ease in facial movements.
Improved posture, relaxation, reduced headaches or TMJ issues in most people.
Emotional / mental relaxation, energetic or “felt” release.
*There may be contraindications to receiving massage- please let me know of any acute infections & conditions, and your medical history so we can have a chat and ensure there is a low risk of any adverse reaction.
What Makes It Unique (vs other facial massages / beauty treatments)- here are reasons for what set Face Up apart:
- Depth & breadth of work
It doesn’t just massage superficial layers of skin. It addresses deep fascia, muscles, neural and emotional patterns. - Intra-oral / buccal work
The use of massage inside the mouth is unusual (not used with each treatment as they are taylored to person’s needs). That allows access to parts of the facial muscles that often hold tension (jaw, cheeks) which external massage alone cannot always reach. - Holistic / body-face connection
Face Up views the face not as isolated but as connected with the rest of the body: neck, shoulders, posture, breath, nervous system. So treatments include working on the neck, scapular area, posture etc. Many facial treatments ignore those connections. - No injections / machines required
It is positioned as a natural alternative to more invasive cosmetic procedures and high-tech beauty devices. The effects are said to come from hands, touch, anatomy, and significantly improved circulation. - Emphasis on emotional / energetic release
The method acknowledges that emotional stress, habitual holding, trauma etc. can manifest in facial tension, skin ageing etc., so it attempts to release those via massage & presence. That gives the treatment more depth or “soul” than a purely aesthetic facial. - Self-practice & client involvement
There’s a strong component of clients learning self-massage practices, adopting posture and lifestyle changes, consistency over time for more lasting results. Not just a one-off pampering session.
Simply Be Physiotherapy 