GUA SHA
Gua Sha has been largely practiced and used by everyday people all over Asia for centuries. It is the first form of treatment for early onset of illnesses, because it is so cost effective.
Gua means 'scrape' and Sha means ‘sand’ but the medical translation would be 'petechiae' or small red dots that appear after scraping the skin. Gua Sha can be used anywhere on the body (which most people don't realize since facial techniques have recently become popular in the west).
Gua sha tools can be made from anything that is easy to clean and solid with a smooth edge. Traditionally tools have been carved from jade or rose quartz, but can also be made from wood or ceramics.
Similar to cupping, Gua sha is commonly used on the upper back to invigorate Qi and Blood flow, as well as releasing stagnation. Sometimes this action creates discolouration on the skin but it is painless and the petechiae usually goes away within days.
If a patient has Blood stagnation systemically, I tend to use Gua sha but it can also be used on areas of the body where musculoskeletal pain lies.
Gua means 'scrape' and Sha means ‘sand’ but the medical translation would be 'petechiae' or small red dots that appear after scraping the skin. Gua Sha can be used anywhere on the body (which most people don't realize since facial techniques have recently become popular in the west).
Gua sha tools can be made from anything that is easy to clean and solid with a smooth edge. Traditionally tools have been carved from jade or rose quartz, but can also be made from wood or ceramics.
Similar to cupping, Gua sha is commonly used on the upper back to invigorate Qi and Blood flow, as well as releasing stagnation. Sometimes this action creates discolouration on the skin but it is painless and the petechiae usually goes away within days.
If a patient has Blood stagnation systemically, I tend to use Gua sha but it can also be used on areas of the body where musculoskeletal pain lies.
