WHAT IS GUA SHA

​

Gua Sha is ancient Eastern method of increasing blood circulation to the surface of the skin and the muscle layer. Translated roughly as "skin scraping", Gua Sha helps increase circulation to relax and loosen tight muscles, and it can help reduce scar tissue and inflammation, especially for older, more chronic issues. When performed on the upper back and neck, it boosts the immune system and helps "release the exterior" to prevent colds and flu. It can even help break a fever for someone who is already sick. A Gua Sha tool is typically some type of "spoon" made from ceramic material, or horn, or smooth stone (such as rose quarts, amethyst, or jade). But historically, a Gua Sha tool can be anything you like that has a smooth edge for "scraping" against your skin. Gua Sha is used to create friction on the skin and produce "sha", or redness, which indicates that blood flow has increased and is thus circulating through the fascia below. Often my clients ask me if the "sha" is the same as a bruise. The answer is no. Gua Sha (and Cupping) are not meant to break the blood vessels (like a bruise), but rather to draw blood to the surface. If you develop multi-colored, painful bruising after Gua Sha (or Cupping), it might indicate that the technique was too intense for your body. It should feel good, and not painful, and the red or purple markings should go away within 3-7 days (this depends on your Blood circulation and how much stagnation might have been present). Most people love this modality alongside Acupuncture treatments. ***Please note...Facial Gua Sha is very popular today, and feels wonderful. But this should be done very gently, only to move lymph in the face, and never should illicit "sha" on the face, neck, or decollate.***