What is a gua sha treatment?
Gua sha is a natural, alternative therapy that involves scraping your skin with a massage tool to improve your circulation. This ancient Chinese healing technique may offer a unique approach to better health, addressing issues like chronic pain.
How do I become a gua sha practitioner?
* Candidates are required to take an in person practicum, hands-on seminar with Dr. Nielsen to assess Gua sha technique, treatment of specific areas of the body, pediatric applications and special techniques. The Science of Gua sha may be viewed for free on ProD Medigogy.
What are the risks of Gua Sha therapy?
Some people also experience temporary indentation of their skin after a gua sha treatment. If any bleeding occurs, there’s also the risk of transferring bloodborne illnesses with gua sha therapy, so it’s important for technicians to disinfect their tools after each person. Avoid this technique if you’ve had any surgery in the last six weeks.
What are the benefits of Gua Sha after giving birth?
In one study, women were given gua sha from the second day after giving birth up until leaving the hospital. The hospital followed up with these women in the weeks after giving birth and found that many had fewer reports of engorgement, breast fullness, and discomfort. This made it easier for them to breastfeed. 4. Neck pain
At what age can you use gua sha?
Since these are completely non-invasive and safe, they can be started at any age, even early 20s. Broadly speaking, Jade rollers are more beneficial for slightly younger age groups such as 30-45 years whereas Gua-Shas are more beneficial for older age groups such as those above 45-50 years.
Who should not use gua sha?
Avoid this technique if you've had any surgery in the last six weeks. People who are taking blood thinners or have clotting disorders aren't good candidates for gua sha.
When should you avoid gua sha?
Note: Avoid Gua Sha if you just received injections as Gua Sha can move botox. Also avoid Gua Sha over cystic acne, pimples and open lesions, as it will only irritate infected areas. Turn your daily skin care routine into a tension melting, stress erasing ✨RITUAL✨ .
Does gua sha work for everyone?
But a word of caution: gua sha is not for everyone. “You should not be doing any form of gua sha if you are taking anticoagulants (medicine that prevents or reduces blood clotting ability). It is best to consult with a TCM physician if you are dealing with any kind of skin problems such as acne or rosacea,” Yeo said.
Can gua sha be harmful?
Typically, gua sha is considered safe. However, you may have some bruising or discoloration of your skin. You could also be sore and tender for a short while after you have your treatment. You shouldn't have it if you're taking medicine for blood clots.
Can gua sha cause pimples?
Sometimes starting a gua sha practice can aggravate the skin and cause a breakout — this happens and you should know it's a totally normal, common response. It's like you're stirring up debris that's settled at the bottom of a lake, the debris needs somewhere to go. Up and out!
Is it OK to gua sha everyday?
“As you start to familiarize yourself with it and get more comfortable with your techniques, you should aim to use gua sha at least two to three times per week,” recommends Tobia. “Once you get into a routine of performing gua sha on yourself… you'll achieve the best results doing it daily.”
Does gua sha make your skin sag?
Massaging the face, both up and down, causes skin to be pulled or tugged at. After a certain point, skin's ability to produce collagen and remain elastic decreases. So, the parts which are pulled don't bounce back, and start sagging. Massaging exacerbates that.
Is gua sha good for acne scars?
Gua sha is extremely effective in healing your acne scars and the redness associated with them. The tool can reduce the visibility of acne scars by generating fresh blood to your skin surface that helps in regenerating skin cells.
Can gua sha get rid of double chin?
In short, yes. Gua sha can be effective in removing your double chin (via Inspire Uplift). Just make sure that you're practicing it on a regular basis for a number of weeks; it's not something that you can do just once for instant magical results.
Is gua sha results permanent?
"Practicing facial gua sha too hard or fast may result in some "sha" or red marks," Chiu explains. "Sha isn't permanent, but it's not what you're going for with facial gua sha." Use lateral and upward motions on your face.
Does gua sha reduce face fat?
Instead, gua sha works by engaging tissue to eliminate fluid build-up in the lymph nodes (which can give the illusion of a more contoured face) — it can't actually remove fat from certain areas.
How long does it take for a gua sha to heal?
This creates the distinctive red or purple bruises, known as sha. The bruises usually take a few days or a week to heal and can be tender while healing.
What is Gua Sha?
Gua sha is a technique used in traditional East Asian medicine. It is often used to treat muscle pain and tension, but there has been limited research into how well it works. We find out more about whether gua sha is effective, and if it has any side effects. Gua sha aims to move energy, known as qi or chi, around the body.
What is the name of the injury caused by Gua Sha?
Small injuries to the body, such as the bruises caused by gua sha, are sometimes known as microtrauma. These create a response in the body that may help to break up scar tissue. Microtrauma may also help with fibrosis, which is a buildup of too much connective tissue when the body heals.
How does Gua Sha work?
Gua sha aims to move energy, known as qi or chi, around the body. The treatment involves using a tool to rub the skin in long strokes, applying enough pressure to create minor bruising. Gua sha may help to break down scar tissue and connective tissue, improving movement in the joints. The treatment does not have any serious side effects ...
Why is Gua Sha important?
Gua sha aims to move this blocked energy to relieve aches or stiffness.
Does Gua Sha help with lungs?
Practitioners claim that gua sha can also benefit the immune system and reduce inflammation. Sometimes, gua sha is used to treat a cold, fever, or problems with the lungs. Small injuries to the body, such as the bruises caused by gua sha, are sometimes known as microtrauma. ...
Can Gua Sha practitioners break skin?
Applying an ice pack can help to reduce inflammation and ease any pain. Gua sha practitioners should not break the skin during the treatment, but there is a risk it could happen. Broken skin increases the possibility of infection, so a gua sha practitioner should always sterilize their tools between treatments.
How to use gua sha?
They’ll then use the stone-like gua sha massage tool to scrape to your skin in long, downward strokes . This is when you’ll notice areas of petechiae on your skin. At first, they'll gently use the tool on your skin.
What is Gua Sha?
Potential Risks. Gua sha is a traditional Chinese healing method in which a trained professional uses a smooth-edged tool to stroke your skin while they press on it. This motion raises small, red, rash -like dots that show under your skin called petechiae. People use gua sha to treat chronic pain all over their body.
Can Gua Sha help with menopause?
Women nearing menopause can have things like abnormal periods, hot flashes, sleep issues, and mood changes. In one study, women who used gua sha once a week for 8 weeks saw those symptoms improve. Researchers are still trying to understand how it works. Breast fullness.
Does Gua Sha help with neck pain?
After a week, the people that had gua sha treatment saw their pain ease significantly for a short time. Experts are undecided about the long-term effects of gua sha on neck pain. Perimenopausal symptoms. Women nearing menopause can have things like abnormal periods, hot flashes, sleep issues, and mood changes.
Does Gua Sha work on face?
This process is believed to help blood flow and create a “lifting” effect on your skin, which some say may help lessen toxins in your body and promote healing. You might also have gua sha done on your face, but that process would be gentler.
Is Gua Sha safe for breast feeding?
Those women saw their pain ease and they were eventually able to breastfeed more easily. Typically, gua sha is considered safe. However, you may have some bruising or discoloration of your skin. You could also be sore and tender for a short while after you have your treatment.
Where is Gua Sha performed?
While gua sha is primarily being used in the West as a method of training the skin of the face, traditionally gua sha is performed on a person’s back, buttocks, arms, legs and neck. The facial gua sha technique was introduced much later.
What is gua sha?
Gua sha is an ancient form of massage that involves using some sort of tool to increase the circulation of fluids underneath the skin. The goal in gua sha is better health and relief from symptoms such as chronic pain, migraines, tension, and even viral infections such as hepatitis (amongst others).
What happens after Gua Sha?
After receiving gua sha, each physical body has the chance to react to the treatment. This might be instantaneous, or it might manifest in the days following the procedure. Most people undergoing their first round of gua sha will start to exhibit what are known as ‘petechiae’ in different parts of the skin.
Does Gua Sha work?
Gua sha facial training has allowed certain acupuncturists and estheticians to target wrinkles through the ancient practice. As mentioned, it was the acupuncturists using pressure points in the face who first began to notice a gradual easing of deep lines over time.
Does Gua Sha help cellulite?
As gua sha increases the natural blood flow of the individual , the body’s lymphatic drainage system is able to kick in, the stagnant fluid living around the cellulite is flushed out with the chi, and nutritious new blood is delivered to these areas.
Is Gua Sha safe?
As a practice, gua sha is completely safe and risk free. You could receive gua sha everyday for the rest of your life and there may only be good that could come from it. Receiving gua sha for face brings different physical results compared to receiving gua sha on the rest of the body.
Is Gua Sha a conductible procedure?
As we mentioned above, gua sha for face and gua sha for body are different in that the latter is largely not conductible using one’s own hands. Gua sha for body requires a third party with knowledge of the techniques to perform the procedure.
What is gua sha?
Facial Gua Sha has become a popular social media and TikTok trend where people use flat jade or rose quartz stones on their faces to smooth their skin. While this may be a modern adaptation, Gua Sha is actually an ancient Chinese treatment approach to chronic pain.
The history of gua sha
The term “Gua Sha” originates from the Chinese word for “scraping.” This is the manner in which a technician will perform Gua Sha, through scraping, smoothing, and stroking motions. While the term Gua Sha may have developed more recently, the practice itself has been used for centuries.
What is qi (chi)?
Qi or chi (pronounced “chee”) in Traditional Chinese Medicine is considered the energy that flows through the body.
Are there risks associated with gua sha?
As with any treatment (natural or otherwise), everyone reacts differently. The motions can create rash-like redness or spots on your skin called petechia, and they should go away. Of course, there is always the risk of causing damage to your skin especially if it’s sensitive.
What are the benefits of Gua Sha?
Studies have shown that Gua Sha can be extremely beneficial, especially when paired with other forms of alternative treatment such as acupuncture, massage, and other naturopathy. One of the most well-known benefits of Gua Sha is chronic pain relief.
Why did I try Gua Sha?
Well, there are all the beneficial reasons listed above, like anti-aging, and less puffiness–but I’m specifically starting this routine target tightness and to (hopefully) help shape my jawline . I’m in my 30s, and as we age and lose collagen our skin starts to sag and droop.
What tools did I use?
To get started with Gua Sha you need to choose a tool for shaping. I used this tool from Amazon-it was only 9 bucks, so pretty cheap. I’ve read you can even use your hands, but this tool makes shaping pretty easy. You also need to choose a topical ointment to help the tool (or your hands) slide across your skin smoothly.
What Happens During Gua Sha
A gua sha session takes about 5 to 15 minutes. During a gua sha session, you’ll sit up or lay down either face up or face down. Your practitioner, who should be a doctor of traditional Chinese medicine or an acupuncture physician, will most likely apply an oil or balm to the skin to help the tool glide more easily.
Side Effects and Risks of Gua Sha
Overall, gua sha doesn’t have serious side effects. With the right practitioner, you shouldn't feel pain. Still, it’s good to know in advance about some skin changes it may create. These include:
DIY Gua Sha vs. Seeing a Trained Practitioner
If you’re having gua sha for medical reasons, it’s best to work with a trained practitioner to do it. That’s because that person will know the right points on the body to stimulate and make the treatment most effective, Snyder says.
Tips to Find the Right Facial Gua Sha Tool
If you've done your research and you want to start facial gua sha at home, here are a few tips to help you find the right gua sha tool:
How to use Gua Sha?
With gua sha on the face, you don’t want to drag your tool from the outside edges of your face. Instead, divide your face in half and use your nose as the middle point. If you’re working under your eyes, you’d start at your nose and work your gua sha tool outward. Keep your tool moving in a smooth, straight line.
What is Gua Sha?
Gua sha is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). According to the principles of TCM, your qi (pronounced “chi”), or energy, must flow throughout your body so you can feel your best. When qi becomes stagnant in certain areas, it’s believed that health problems can occur.
Does Gua Sha help with sinus pressure?
Gua sha has been proven to help relieve tension in the face, reduce puffiness and inflammation, and it can even help reduce sinus pressure. However, since the musculature of the face is much thinner, you’ll want to avoid applying too much pressure as you’re working on this area.
Does Gua Sha help with headaches?
It can also help alleviate tension headaches, migraines, neck pain or swelling in your body. Sobo adds that gua sha can even help with anxiety, fatigue, insomnia and perimenopausal symptoms when done in addition to acupuncture. “We’re just promoting that flow of qi through the body.
Does Sobo work on acupuncture?
Sobo gives us a better idea of how it works. “Gua sha tools have smooth, rounded edges. They’re not going to cut, stab or pinch you. Before your acupuncturist starts, they’ll massage the treatment area with cream or lotion first and then take things to your comfort level.
Is Gua Sha gentle?
However, a practitioner won’t be scraping your body like a car windshield in the middle of winter. Gua sha is gentle overall, and the intensity can build depending on the types of knots that your acupuncturist encounters. Sobo gives us a better idea of how it works. “Gua sha tools have smooth, rounded edges.
Is Gua Sha the same as Qi?
In 1990, David Graston, an amateur athlete, introduced his version of gua sha to the United States. Sobo says that while qi is associated more with gua sha, both muscle scraping methods are about the same.
What is a gua sha certification?
The Gua sha Certification Course provides a practitioner with both the didactic and direct hands-on teaching necessary for the safe and effective practice of Gua sha . While the Gua sha book and DVD are essential background, research and reference for a competent Gua sha practitioner, Gua sha has always been taught person to person. The Certification Course offers participants a supervised level of training that qualifies safe and effective practice.
Does Gua Sha work?
Research shows Gua sha upregulates HO-1 which itself has been shown to be anti-inflammatory and immune protective but also mitigates viral replication in illnesses such as viral hepatitis and influenza making Gua sha a critical option for acute and chronic viral illness.
What is Gua Sha?
Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese practice that would traditionally be performed by stimulating the skin with hard-sided items such as jade or bone. It is a practice that could be a cousin to acupuncture and massage but emphasizes the direct localized force of the item on the skin of the patient. It works to increase the blood flow under the skin and the circulation in the soft tissue under the skin. This, in turn, has numerous positive effects on the body including anti-inflammatory and immune system benefits.
Is Gua Sha safe for everyone?
There may also be some soreness or tenderness in the areas treated. These should all dissipate within a short period of time. Gua sha is not an appropriate treatment for everyone. You need to disclose your medical history and existing symptoms or issues to your practitioner prior to treatment.
What Is Gua Sha?
The recent boom gua sha (pronounced gwah-sha) has experienced on social media, often in the form of aesthetically pleasing rose quartz and jade tools, is but a small part of its long history. 'Gua sha originates from traditional Chinese medicine practices,' explains Ooi.
What Are The Benefits Of Gua Sha?
While you might take one look at those 'before and after' gua sha images and think they're too good to be true, it turns out this ancient scraping technique might be the answer to a fair few of your skincare qualms.
How To Use A Gua Sha
Put down that crystal tool! Before you start excitedly scraping away at your face, there are a few things you need to consider. Firstly, you'll want to have a clean base to work with (pushing dirt and grime into your skin with a gua sha = breakout central), so grab your favourite cleanser and get lathering.
How Often Should You Be Using A Gua Sha Tool?
You've got your gua sha routine memorised so well you could do it in your sleep, then comes the question of how regularly we should be scraping. While incorporating gua sha into your routine has immediate and longer term benefits, you'll get what you put in with this practice.
What Time Of Day Is Best To Gua Sha?
In terms of morning vs evening debate? Why not both! As it turns out, you can have your cake and be sculpted too.
What Are The Differences Between Doing Gua Sha At Home vs. Professionally?
Unlike a lot of skincare treatments, the consensus is that it's actually more effective to keep up with the gua sha at home, rather than just waiting weeks in between seeing an expert. 'I encourage everyone to do gua sha at home,' says Ooi.
What To Look For When Buying A Gua Sha Tool
With so much demand, the market has flooded with hundreds of options for gua sha tools, and not all are created equally. Ooi imparts some sage advice when it comes to choosing the right one for you; 'The most important aspect that I pay attention to is the shape and cut.
