Gua Sha is a technique belonging to traditional Chinese medicine. This treatment consists of scraping the skin, in a unidirectional movement, using a specially designed tool. This scraping creates rashes, such as petechiae, and removes the therapeutic effects
Gua Sha is currently very popular for facials, promoting rejuvenating effects. The technique is rather different, but the tools are the same used. Some use jade, quartz or buffalo horns and others use copper or stainless steel tools.
For whom:
- All persons, except pregnant women and young children.
- For those with pain or stiffness.
- Those with a fever or a cold
- Very interesting to support the pulmonary sphere: cough, bronchitis, asthma, etc.
- For internal organ disorders
Place:
- Back
- Neck
- Shoulder
- Abdomen
- Leg
On the other hand, you always start with your back, which can often be the only area to work.
How does a session go?
We always start by scraping the skin on the back to work on the Shu points. The Shu points are the points located on the back, all along the spine. Each point has a connected organ with a connected meridian that can work the whole body.
We also look for Sha points, these are places on the skin that remain redder than the others. This gives us an indication that there is inflammation.
We then start to scratch the oil-coated skin with the tool. We pass over an area about 5-6 lanes, or until petechiae has emerged, with light to moderate pressure.
The skin will then be marked with a red to purple colour and remain for 2-4 days.
What are the benefits of this method?
- Immediate pain relief
- Better mobility
- Stimulates the immune system
- Decrease in fever
- Promotes a better circulation of Qi (energy)
- Anti-inflammatory
***It may looks scary, but it looks worse than it is. It doesn’t hurt at all, although it can be a little uncomfortable in some places. You only need to try it once to be convinced.