Jul 18,2023
Exploring Gua Sha: History, Techniques, and Modern Applications
What exactly is gua sha massage?
This Chinese term, which is pronounced Gwah-Shah, has two distinct meanings: "Gua" means "scrape," "Sha" is often translated as "sand," and "redness of skin" by others. It usually removes illness, fever, or other types of sickness from the body. However, additional names for the phrase "Gua Sha" include spooning, skin scraping, and coining. It is a treatment method that was adapted from conventional East Asian medicine. A "spatula" made of buffalo horn was formerly used to massage the skin as part of a natural, traditional treatment.
Jade and rose quartz are often used in producing contemporary Gua Sha tools. Massage is done on a well-lubricated portion of the body's surface using upward strokes or a rapid, delicate, powerful scraping action to loosen up tight muscles, alleviate pain and stress, cure specific ailments, and boost circulation. It causes little bruises that are either purple or red markings called "Petechiae" or "sha" or seem like bruises.
History of Gua Sha
For a long time, the ancient Chinese have employed gua sha massage as a kind of traditional healing. Between 1368 and 1644 in the Ming Dynasty, the process was systematically calculated into significant medical records. Although the history of Gua Sha practice is said to be far older, the Ming Dynasty, around 700 years ago, is the earliest recorded record of the procedure. GuaSha has been documented historically from the Paleolithic period. People were massaged with hands, stones, or everyday items like coins or tins when they were unwell or slipped into a coma to cope with their diseases' symptoms and side effects.
Gua Sha Techniques
The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) toolkit includes gua sha procedures, each with a distinct function. The GuaSha Massage technique releases stagnant Qi and restores its natural flow to the affected area, resulting in improved health.
Basic Technique to Gua Sha:
Spread a generous amount of thick oil or lubricant all over your body.
Get your upper body into excellent form and a state of calm.
As you scrape the area, hold the Gua Sha tool firmly and correctly in your palm at a 30-45-degree angle.
Start scraping down or sideways, away from the spine, or in one of those directions.
Before adding more pressure, scrape the first few strokes for a while.
Continually apply pressure. Avoid being overly soft or too firm.
Apply lengthy, uninterrupted strokes 6 to 7 inches or 15 to 20 cm long.
Stick to scraping in a single direction consistently. Avoid hurting your customer by altering your order when scrubbing on a certain skin region.
Before moving on to the next region, each stroke should be used between 10 and 30 times.
When there is no longer she, give the region with more sha a little more time before moving on to the next section of skin.
To keep it warm, immediately wrap treated areas with a towel.
General Technique to GuaSha Massage:
The delicate muscles of the head and face may also be treated with this method but with gentle strokes. But it's normally recommended that you use a little instrument that can easily fit into the corners and trace the contours of the skin region that has to be treated.
Utilizing the correct tool's smooth edges, gently scrape and raise the skin from the forehead toward the hairline. When that happens, you proceed to the side of your nose and facial structure and scratch upward and outward in the direction of your ears before marking down on the sides of your face.
Continue this manner until you have addressed all the sore spots and obstructed regions that need attention. The fortunate recipient of this therapy will likely feel lighter, less in pain right away, and almost "unplugged" as if the skin has been unblocked.
Give your "client" a "room temperature" (not chilled) glass of water after the Gua Sha session to prevent any adverse effects on the internal organs.
Though it may not seem like it, the body must have undergone much stress throughout the surgery, so let your client relax for a while.
After treatment, your client shouldn't be permitted to wash or take a bath for at least an hour.
Instead of exposing them to direct airflow, they should be bundled up to stay warm.
Advantages of Gua Sha
It enhances lymphatic fluid flow and reduces facial, neck, and shoulder muscular stress and knots.
It reduces facial wrinkles and may be used almost as a mild, natural facelift, giving the appearance of more defined cheekbones and less puffy eyes.
Stimulates blood flow, which in turn tightens and tones the skin.
The face seems softer, and the features are more sharply defined.
The treatment surface's hyperpigmentation is diminished.
Since it has anti-inflammatory properties, it is often used to treat arthritis, fibromyalgia, and muscular and joint pain.
Relieves the adverse effects of illnesses, including Tourette syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, perimenopausal syndrome, hepatitis B, breast enlargement, and migraine headaches.
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