The internet is an excellent place to discover new things that can pique your interest. If you spend a lot of time online, you have most likely found yourself browsing new things online and you may have come across a specific tool many people call “Gua Sha”. You’ve also probably found yourself wondering if this is one of those questionable things that you have to think twice about checking out or if it is worth the try? So, what is it exactly?
Gua Sha
Gua Sha is part of the traditional Chinese medicine that follows the principle or belief that your qi or “chi” must flow throughout your body to be able to experience better health. Gua means ‘scrape’, and Sha means ‘petechiae’ in Chinese. The Chinese believe that when your “chi” or energy does not flow properly in certain areas of your body, health problems may begin to manifest. This smooth-edged tool is used to scrape regions of a person’s body where there is stagnant qi and is believed to help improve circulation and promote overall health.
Gua Sha is often associated with the Graston Technique, as both use the scraping method. However, the main difference is that the said technique or treatment can be received from a physical therapist. Its focus is mainly in terms of the physiological terminology. In contrast, it’s all about the qi and blood circulation with Gua Sha and is offered during acupuncture sessions.
Why is using Gua Sha actually good for you?
Using Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese healing technique that has numerous benefits for the body. It is a natural and holistic approach to healing and can be used to relieve pain, tension, and stress. The technique involves gently scraping a smooth tool over your skin to increase blood flow and promote healing.
You can use a Gua Sha in two ways: for the body and the face. For the body, you will need to work with it in a way that will support your treatment goals, so applying pressure is necessary, while for the face, since the musculature is much thinner, applying too much pressure must be avoided.