Discover how to try Gua Sha, an age-old massage technique that is currently enjoying a spike in popularity, as well as its remarkable advantages.
All of a sudden, it appears like equipment for rolling and scraping your body are appearing everywhere. Gua Sha, however, is a method that has been practiced for a very long time and is what these innovative beauty tools are based on.
Gua Sha, also known as muscle scraping, is an age-old method for reducing pain, delaying the aging process, and enhancing chi. Read on to discover more.
Gua Sha - what is it?
Gua Sha is a more than 2,000-year-old form of traditional Chinese medicine that is comparable to massage. However, practitioners use specialized equipment rather than their hands to scrape the skin off of the back, buttocks, arms, legs, and occasionally the face.
The procedure involves manipulating natural energy, or chi, to enhance your body's general health. Practitioners utilize many of the same lengthy downward strokes as a conventional massage to promote circulation and increase blood flow.
Advantages of Gua Sha
Despite the fact that there hasn't been much official scientific research on the topic, a few studies have produced encouraging findings.
reduces liver inflammatory disease
According to studies, gua sha can reduce chronic inflammation in the liver, especially, in just 48 hours. According to researchers, this kind of therapy may help anyone who experiences chronic pain, including arthritis sufferers.
headaches are soothed
One study indicates that if you experience headaches while pregnant, just 14 days of therapy may help. The results are encouraging, even if more research is required because the study only included one person.
makes nursing less engorged
Studies indicate that gua sha is more efficient than massage and heat packs at reducing engorgement and discomfort in the early postpartum period when used in conjunction with appropriate breastfeeding practices.
reduces neck discomfort
In one study, heated packs were employed by the other half of participants while the other half used Gua Sha procedures. After just one week, the group who received Gua Sha treatments reported much decreased neck pain.
reduces menopausal symptoms
Numerous women experience insomnia, exhaustion, anxiety, and hot flashes during the menopause. However, in a research, women who underwent Gua Sha treatment for just 15 minutes a week for eight weeks reported fewer problems than those who underwent conventional therapy.
Treatments using gua sha
Here are some therapy alternatives you have if you decide Gua Sha is something to try:
Massage with gua sha
Gua Sha is being provided by more and more salons and spas. Scraping is often a follow-up procedure after a more popular procedure, such as a facial, and other times it is a standalone 15-minute appointment. What to anticipate from a typical Gua Sha treatment is as follows:
1. You will undress and lie face down on a table covered by a blanket or sheet. If the treatment is only for your upper back, you might have to stay seated at some spas while having a towel wrapped over your torso.
2. Before starting, your therapist could inquire about your discomfort locations or examine various muscles or body parts to determine potential tension points.
3.The therapist will massage oil into your skin before using lengthy downward strokes to slide the scraping tool throughout your body. Note: Your therapist usually applies medium to firm pressure; unless you get used to it, it could feel a little uncomfortable.
The Gua Sha Facial
Some facialists are trained in the procedure, despite it not being as frequent. What to anticipate during a Gua Sha facial is as follows.
1. Your therapist will apply oil to your face and utilize light to medium downward scraping motions all over your face, similar to a Gua Sha massage. (Note: A Gua Sha facial won't cause bruising because it applies far less pressure than a Gua Sha massage.)
2. Your therapist will work their way up from your neck. They'll start with your neck and move on to your jawline before finishing with broad strokes across your forehead.
At-Home Gua Sha
If you wish to practice Gua Sha at home on your neck and face, here is a step-by-step guide. Always wash your hands before starting, and use clean instruments.
1.As usual, wash your face.
2. Apply facial oil or mist to your face; using a Gua Sha instrument on dry skin may cause uncomfortable pulling and tugging.
3. Slowly roll your roller or tool up the body, starting at the neck. Move down your shoulders and around your neck.
4. Turn your tool at the jawline to scrape both upward and downward.
5.Turn the tool so that the side with the depression fits over your cheekbone once you've reached the cheekbone. Your face should be massaged outward from the middle.
6. Work softly around your eye area using either a smaller rounded edge on a flat tool or the smaller roller on a rolling tool.
7. Finish by massaging your forehead from the center outward.
Note: Use the flat side of the tool, never the edge, and don't apply excessive pressure. The guidelines in the pamphlet that comes with your tool should be followed because various Gua Sha tools have subtle variations.
Are There Any Gua Sha Side Effects?
Gua Sha is completely safe and organic, however it can cause minute blood vessels to burst while being scraped, which could lead to slight bleeding or bruising. The bruising frequently appears as little red dots, or petechiae, as described by clinicians. Sometimes the dots are black or blue, especially when the treatment is applied to a painful location. If you want to know what to anticipate, this acupuncturist has some fantastic images of the bruising that Gua Sha can occasionally cause.
If you have just undergone surgery, are using blood thinners, or have clotting issues, refrain from scraping your muscles. Additionally, if you are pregnant, consult your healthcare practitioner beforehand.
How About You?
Have you ever tried scraping muscles? Please share your experiences in the comments section.
