How to Benefit From Gua Sha

Gua Sha is an ancient Asian technique that raises stagnated blood to the body's surface for healing purposes. Many people who practice Gua Sha believe that stagnated blood causes most aliments and pain. If you are suffering from chronic pain or an acute disorder, follow these steps to see if Gua Sha relieves your pain or improves your condition.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Find out if you are a candidate for Gua Sha by seeing if Sha is present. Perform a simple test by pressing several fingers into the skin of the suspect area then removing them. If the area of blanching where pressure is applied disappears immediately, then no Sha is present. However if it does not, then Sha is present and Gua Sha is warranted.

2. Learn Gua Sha techniques by reading or watching video demonstrations. You may also choose a qualified health care provider or massage therapists to perform your Gua Sha treatment.

3. Purchase a Gua Sha tool or kit that includes instructions to perform Gua Sha. Common Gua Sha tools include animal bones, jade, a water buffalo horn or even a simple metal cap with a smooth round edge.

4. Apply a medium to the skin such as petroleum jelly, vapor rub or tiger balm.

5. Stroke the affected area downward with Gua Sha tool at approximately 30 degrees to the skin with moderate pressure until Sha appears.

6. Notice a feeling of warmth from the friction along with pink areas turning into darker red patches of Sha. Even though pain is not involved, there will be reddish bruising that generally lasts between 3 to 10 days. Topical herbal applications help speed up the healing process.

7. Expect soreness and keep the area covered and warm for at least 24 hours after treatment.

Tips & Warnings

• Plan your Gua Sha treatments around doctors visits or wearing clothing that exposes your skin, since the skin's appearance may be alarming to those not familiar with Gua Sha.
• Don't repeat until the marks from previous treatment have vanished.
• Stretching right after Gua Sha is fine, but avoid major physical activity afterward.
• Don't perform Gua Sha over a sunburn, rash or any other type of skin irregularity.
• Don't stroke raised moles with a Gua Sha tool.
• If you have a chronic illness, check with your doctor before using Gua Sha.

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