What is Kobido and why is it more than just an aesthetic facial massage?
He Kobido for bruxism It's not just a simple facial massage. It's an ancient Japanese technique that, literally translated, means “the ancient path of beauty”But the beauty she speaks of isn't just superficial: it's a beauty born from health, vitality, and inner balance.
Throughout my years of practice, I've seen how this massage acts as a deep caress to the nervous system. Through rhythmic, quick, and precise movements, or slow and deep ones—such as gentle tapping, kneading, gliding, and pressure—we work not only the skin but also the deep muscles of the face, lymphatic flow, and vital energy.
Therefore, Kobido has effects therapeutic: helps relieve chronic facial tension, such as that caused by stress, bruxism, or emotional overload, which often settles in the jaw, temples, or between the eyebrows. Sometimes a person comes in with a stiff, tight face, and at the end of the session, they say to me: “I feel like I’m breathing with my face, like I’ve let go of something heavy.”That's the Kobido.
Differences with other facial massages
There are many facial massages in the wellness world, and each has its own charm. But what sets Kobido apart is:
- The depth with which it works without being invasive: not only does it improve circulation, but it also releases very internal tensions.
- The combination of techniques: stimulates acupressure points, activates lymphatic drainage, tones and relaxes at the same time.
- The energetic intention: Each movement has a purpose, and connects with Eastern medicine, seeking to harmonize the flow of who (vital energy).
For example, a massage with relaxing cream isn't the same as a Kobido massage. If I notice tension in your masseter (the muscle we use to clench our teeth), I apply a specific technique to relax the area without causing pain. And if you also have fluid retention in your face, we gently drain it to reduce swelling.
Bruxism: when the face speaks of stress
What it is and how it affects the face
He bruxism It's one of those silent tensions that many people suffer from without realizing it. Basically, it's the act of clenching or grinding your teeth, either during the day or, more commonly, at night while we sleep.
It's not always easy to detect, but the body warns us. And many times, the first place where it manifests is in the faceI've seen many cases where people came in with headaches, neck tension, facial fatigue... and the real cause was in the jaw.
When someone bruxes, the muscles responsible for mastication—such as the masseter, temporalis, and pterygoid—work excessively and steadily. Over time, this leads to:
- Pain or stiffness in the jaw
- Tension in the area of the temples and between the eyebrows
- Headache upon waking up
- Sensation of a “swollen” or swollen face
- Difficulty opening the mouth wide
Sofia, a client who works long hours in front of a computer, came to us once. Her face was visibly tense, with dark circles under her eyes, and she felt like her jaw was drooping. “I was wedged”. After a few sessions of Kobido for bruxism, he began to sleep better and felt his face “loosen up” again.
Common signs: tension, jaw pain, neck and head stiffness
Pay attention if you feel any of these signs:
- Does your jaw hurt when you wake up?
- Do you feel like you're clenching your teeth without realizing it?
- Do you have trouble relaxing your face or neck?
- Do you have a very pronounced expression line between your eyebrows?
- Does the sound or movement when opening/closing your mouth bother you?
If the answer is yes to several of these questions, it is very likely that your face is accumulating tension due to bruxism.
Mini home test: Where does your facial tension accumulate?
I suggest you take a few minutes, breathe deeply, and follow this short journey. You can do this with your eyes closed or in front of a mirror, with clean, soft fingertips. Let's go step by step:
1. Mandibles (masseter area)
Place your fingers just to the side of your mouth, where your jaw begins, and gently clench your teeth. Can you feel it harden?
Now relax…
Does the area feel hard, sore, or like a “knot”?
Do you find it difficult to relax completely?
2. Temples (temporalis muscle)
Place your fingertips on your temples, right where we sometimes massage when we have a headache.
Are they tense or tender to the touch?
Do you notice that area being activated when you are stressed?
3. Between the eyebrows and forehead
Gently touch between the eyebrows.
Do you have that vertical frown line marked?
Does your forehead feel hard or difficult to relax?
4. Suboccipital area (behind the skull, base of the neck)
Run your fingers along the base of your skull. Although it's not part of your face, jaw tension often pulls you toward that area.
Do you have discomfort, stiffness or a feeling of heaviness?
5. Tongue and palate
Here's a golden secret: notice where your tongue is right now.
Is it stuck firmly to the palate?
Do you have it under tension without realizing it?
Result:
👉 If you marked 3 or more areas as tense, it is very likely that you are accumulating facial stress, and that your body is asking for a break, some care, a release... that is where the Kobido for bruxism can really help you.
In the next part I will tell you exactly how it acts massage and yoga for bruxism on each of these areas, to restore the face's natural, soft and rested expression.
How Kobido works on facial muscles
The face has more than 40 muscles that we use every day to talk, chew, laugh, frown... and also to express (and retain!) emotions. When we accumulate tension, especially in situations of stress or anxiety, many of these muscles enter a state of constant contractionThat's where the Kobido comes in as a key tool.
This massage works on layers: from the superficial skin, through the deep muscles, to the lymphatic system and vital energy.
Specific techniques to release jaw tension
To treat the bruxism, he Kobido for bruxism It focuses especially on the area of masseter, he temporary and the pterygoid, which are the muscles responsible for chewing and, unfortunately, also for clenching your teeth.
In the sessions I give, I usually apply a combination of:
- Sustained pressures with your fingertips to loosen the stiffness of the masseter (just to the side of the jaw).
- Soft, rhythmic tapping that reactivate circulation and “wake up” muscles that have become dormant due to excess tension.
- Landslides in an upward and circular direction, which allow you to relax the temporal muscle (temple area), which is deeply connected to tension headaches.
Stimulation of reflex points and drainage of accumulated toxins
In addition to muscle work, the Kobido for bruxism stimulates reflex points of the face that are connected to different organs of the body, according to the vision of Eastern medicine. For example:
- He frown It is linked to the liver, which is related to irritability and excessive stress.
- The temples They connect with the gallbladder, another organ that responds to pent-up anger.
- The mandibular area reflects emotional tensions that we could not verbalize.
When we stimulate these points, we not only release the muscles, but also we mobilize toxins accumulated, helping the face to reduce inflammation and recover its natural tone.
He facial lymphatic drainage, which is part of Kobido, is key to this: it facilitates the elimination of retained fluids and improves the tone and clarity of the skin.
Examples of patients who found relief
I share with you two real cases that left a deep impression on me:
Gabriel, 38 years old, accountant. He had been suffering from a facial tension so severe that his jaw hurt when he yawned. After three sessions, he told me: “I haven’t felt my face so light in years.”We noticed a significant reduction in jaw pain and nighttime bruxism.
Lucia, 29 years old, teacher. He suffered from frequent migraines and tension in his temples and forehead. We applied Kobido, focusing on reflex points and deep relaxation techniques. After five sessions, the migraines became much less frequent and the area between his eyebrows was no longer stiff.
Benefits of Kobido in cases of bruxism and facial tension
While many people approach Kobido thinking of a cosmetic massage, what they walk away with at the end of a session is often much more than glowing skin. It's as if the entire body breathes differently. Why? Because this massage works on a different level. deep, connecting the facial muscles with the nervous system, energy flow and body awareness.
Here I tell you some of its most notable benefits when we apply it in cases of bruxism and facial tension:
- Deep relaxation of the nervous system
When the facial muscles are tense, the brain interprets that tension as a constant warning signal. Kobido, by working on specific points of the face and performing rhythmic, enveloping maneuvers, stimulates the parasympathetic system, which is responsible for activating the relaxation response in the body.
This is key for those who suffer from nocturnal bruxism, as it helps the body enter a state of real rest.
One of the most invisible consequences of bruxism is the accumulated fatigue. Clenching your jaw at night prevents your body from resting as it should. Kobido helps break that cycle of tension, relaxing not only the muscles but also the mind.
Many patients, after one or two sessions, begin to report improvements such as:
- Sleep more soundly
- Fewer nighttime awakenings
- More restful dreams
- Decreased ruminating thoughts or anxiety at bedtime
- Postural re-education and body awareness
The face is part of our emotional and physical postureWhen we relax, the whole body responds. Often, releasing the jaw and temples also releases tension in the neck, nape, and shoulders.
The Kobido allows:
- Becoming aware of how we clench our jaw on a daily basis
- Relax the muscles that affect head posture
- Improve cervical alignment, which is often affected by jaw tension
How often should a session be done?
Recommendations according to the level of tension
The ideal frequency of Kobido sessions depends greatly on the initial state of the face and the level of tension that each person presentsNot all of us need the same things, and our bodies dictate the pace.
Here I give you a general orientation:
- Maintenance and general well-being:
1 session every 3 or 4 weeks
Ideal if you don't have any specific discomfort, but you're looking to prevent tension, improve circulation, and maintain healthy skin. - Mild tension or early signs of bruxism:
1 session every 2 weeks
It helps prevent stress from becoming chronic and helps raise awareness of daily habits. - Severe bruxism, jaw stiffness, or frequent migraines:
1 weekly session for 1 month, then you can space it out
In these cases, Kobido acts as a progressive treatment. As the muscles relax and the nervous system regulates, the frequency can be reduced.
I always recommend re-evaluating after 3 or 4 sessions how your face feels and how your night's rest responds.The body gives very clear signals when it feels listened to.
How to accompany it with daily habits and self-massages
A Kobido session has a powerful effect, but if we accompany it with conscious habits in everyday life, the change is even deeper and more lasting.
Habits that help maintain facial well-being:
- Becoming aware of daytime bruxism: Whenever you catch yourself clenching your jaw, release it with a long exhalation.
- Avoid chewing gum or very hard foods if you have facial tension.
- Do not always rest your head on the same hand or side when sleeping.
- Incorporate deep breathing breaks throughout the day.
- Apply moist heat to the jaw area if you feel stiffness.
Mini relaxing self-massage routine (ideal before bed):
You only need clean hands and a gentle facial cream or oil:
- Massage your temples in circular motions for 1 minute.
- Gently slide your fingertips from the center of your forehead outward.
- Using your index finger and middle finger, apply circular pressure to the masseter (the area of the cheek that is hard when you clench your teeth) for 30 seconds.
- Glide from the jaw down the neck to stimulate lymphatic drainage.
- Finish by gently placing your hands on your cheeks and taking three deep breaths.
This ritual helps you slow down, release tension from the day, and prepare for deeper rest.
Listen to the face, free the body
Our face not only shows us to the world. It also It talks about what we carry inside: from the tiredness we couldn't stop, from the words we didn't say, from the pent-up anger or the tension we built up without realizing it.
Throughout these years as a therapist, I have learned that when we listen to the faceWe're also listening to our entire body. Because a clenched jaw isn't just a symptom; it's a message. Frown lines, tense cheekbones, a hard forehead—all of these tell a story.
And that's where the Kobido enters the scene as a deep care tool. It's not just about looking better. It's about feel freer, of inhabit the face from softness. Of allowing ourselves to let go of what no longer needs to be held.
When we release facial tension, something changes in the way we breathe, sleep, think… and feel. The body relaxes. The mind calms. Expression becomes more authentic.
Caring for our facial expressions isn't a luxury or a vain indulgence: it's part of our overall well-being. It's about learning to see ourselves through different eyes. To touch ourselves with compassion. To give ourselves a space where our faces can rest, too.
So if you feel like your face is crying out for a break, listen to it. Maybe it's time to give yourself that much-needed break.
In Quiroessence We believe that balance between body and mind is cultivated every day. Kobido for bruxism offers a unique way to relieve facial tension while improving vitality and internal balance. Our massage, osteopathy, and yoga center is located in the heart of Granada, just a five-minute walk from the Cathedral.
If you're looking for a space to take care of yourself, relax, and reconnect, we'd love to welcome you.
EN 
ES 