Complete Guide to Gua Sha

Gua Sha has been used in Chinese culture for centuries. The Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM derived practice is a skin scraping method that promotes wellbeing. In this article we cover what the practice is about and who can benefit.

What is Gua Sha?

Skin scraping, also known as “Gua Sha,” is a traditional Chinese therapy used to promote health. This practice involves using a smooth-edged tool to gently scrape the skin’s surface along key energy and acupressure points across the body. The end result is improved wellbeing and Qi flow.

Here are the key points about skin scraping therapy:

How Does Gua Sha Work?

• Skin scraping is used to “dredge the channels” and activate blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis in the body.
• It can dilate blood vessels, increase sweat secretion, and promote overall blood circulation.
• This therapy is believed to have effects in treating conditions such as hypertension, heat stroke, and muscle aches.
• It is both a preventive health care measure and a therapeutic technique.

Therapeutic Effects

• Promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis: Skin scraping helps improve blood circulation and relieve muscle tension.
• Balancing Yin and Yang: It can balance the functions of the body’s organs and improve peristaltic movement.
• Relaxing tendons and dredging collateral channels: It helps relieve pain and muscle tension, promoting recovery.
• Exchanging signals: Skin scraping stimulates specific body parts to generate new bioinformation, influencing organ functions.
• Removing toxins: Skin scraping increases blood and lymph circulation, helping the body eliminate waste and toxins.
• Invigorating body energy and blood: It improves the circulation of body energy and blood, alleviating pain and blockages in the channels.
• Skin scraping is used to strengthen the body’s Wei Energy.

It is best to visit a local Chinese doctor to receive any Gua Sha treatment. It is usually accompanied with massage or herbal treatment.