Gua Sha, the triangle-shaped skin tool, is suddenly mainstream. You can find it at T.J. Maxx and Marshall’s, for goodness’ sake! But this trendy tool is an ancient healing technique we have always included in our San Diego acupuncture practice.
What can Gua Sha do for you? Let’s get into it.
Gua Sha means “scraping” in Chinese, and its first reported use was 4000 – 5000 years ago in the Paleolithic era when it was employed as part of a healing massage technique.
Not to worry, we use Gua Sha at Concept Wellness in a gentle fashion, lending a mild pressure to scrape the skin with this smooth-edged implement. In this way, we instigate both a physiologic and energetic response, promoting blood flow, reducing tension, and stimulating Chi, the Chinese term for one’s vital life force.
We love teaching our patients to make Gua Sha part of their health and beauty routine at home. You can purchase the tool from us or give it as a gift to a friend. But first, let us share why we are such big fans of its healing properties.
Conditions Gua Sha Can Be Used to Treat
In our San Diego office, we use Gua Sha to treat a host of conditions, including:
- Pain. Sore necks, backs, tense muscles and aching joints, Gua Sha can bring relief with injuries or chronic pain. It can also release fascia to improve range of motion.
- Headaches, migraines, TMJ, and tension throughout the body.
- Swelling. Gua Sha stimulates the lymphatic system, reducing inflammation and fluid buildup. It can even help with breastfeeding, relieving painful swelling and breast fullness.
- Lower immunity. Some studies suggest that Gua Sha can stimulate the immune system, helping your body fight off colds and other ailments more effectively.
- Scar tissue. Strokes with the Gua Sha stone can break up adhesions and stimulate the production of collagen and elastic, promoting healing.
- Skin appearance and skin conditions. We call on it to sculpt skin, trigger microcirculation, and improve elasticity.
- Other conditions including fatigue, perimenopausal symptoms, insomnia, anxiety and some lung conditions.
Gua Sha 101
Gua Sha is a scraping technique that involves using a smooth, blunt object to rub, push, and scrape the skin. The word “gua” means “to scrape,” and “sha” refers to the redness that can result from the scraping.
Formed into a palm-sized, boomerang shape, Gua Sha is often made of polished stone or crystals, typically from jade, rose quartz, bian, amethyst, or the like. Jade brings cooling, which can reduce puffiness; it can even be kept in the fridge for an extra chilly application. Jade also promotes lymphatic drainage.
Rose quartz is synonymous with love and healing, so use it to take care of inflammation—and it is best for those with sensitive skin and rosacea.
Size matters. Some tools for the body are larger to cover more surface area. For sculpting and lifting the face and neck, the Gua Sha is smaller and easily turned with various contours and edges to employ.
What to Expect with Gua Sha in our Practice
During an acupuncture session at Concept Wellness, you can expect that we will apply a host of tools, long-proven techniques from ancient Chinese medicine as well as the latest and emerging technologies (for example, red light therapy.) When we use Gua Sha, our practitioners will:
- Apply oil to your skin as preparation.
- Use the smooth-edged tool to scrape your skin in long, downward strokes.
- The strokes may start gently and increase in pressure as you’re comfortable.
- You’ll develop a temporary rash of small, red dots called petechiae. These dots are caused by tiny, broken capillaries under the skin.
Immediately, you may experience:
- Increased blood circulation
- Decreased pain
- A feeling of wellbeing as stagnant chi is released.
Licensed acupuncturists are not the only practitioners to use scraping techniques. Sometimes, chiropractors and physical therapists will use a tool to loosen tight muscles or scar tissue; they call it IASTM or instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization.
One of the things we most love to do at Concept Wellness is teach. Several of our practitioners are nurses—and all of us delight in walking you through easy steps to transforming your health at home. We are happy to demonstrate so you can incorporate these amazing techniques into your everyday routine.
How to Practice Gua Sha at Home
If women were using these tools in the Han Dynasty in 206 BC, you can learn to make Gua Sha part of your routine. Here is how:
- Choose your tool. Pick one that feels comfortable in your hand. Let us show you a few in our inventory so you can compare.
- Wash your hands. Keep your Gua Sha tool clean, too, washing it with soap and water and drying it between uses.
- Apply oil. Before starting, always use a facial or body oil to reduce friction and allow the tool to glide smoothly over your skin. Sample a few of our ultra high-quality, natural products so you go home with the perfect set.
- Hold the tool correctly. We are happy to show you how. It should touch your skin at a 35–40-degree angle.
- Use gentle strokes. Gua Sha shouldn’t hurt. Go easy on your face, employing upward strokes. Work from the center out. You can go a bit firmer on your body. Always move in the direction of lymphatic flow (towards the heart).
- Target these areas. On the face, work the forehead, cheekbones, jawline, and neck. Let muscle tension be your guide on the body, typically shoulders, back, neck, legs, and others where you feel tight and tense.
- Be consistent. To see results, incorporate Gua Sha into your routine a few times a week.
Tips for Beginners
New to using Gua Sha at home? A few reminders:
- Start slow. See how your skin and body respond. Begin with light pressure and shorter sessions, gradually increasing as you get more comfortable.
- Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water after your session to help flush out toxins.
- Listen to your body. This is always our guide at Concept Wellness as each body is different, every patient and treatment plan designed for the individual. If you experience any discomfort, reduce the pressure or frequency.
Skip Gua Sha if you have had Botox or skin fillers injected within the last month. Or if you have a flare-up of psoriasis or rosacea. You should also avoid its use if you are on blood thinners, have diabetes, have circulation issues or are pregnant. Talk with your Concept Wellness practitioner to be sure it’s the right therapy for you.
Can Gua Sha Reduce Wrinkles, Sagginess, and More?
You will see the effects of Gua sha, used regularly on your face and neck. It can:
- Reduce puffiness and edema—and that will make your face look more contoured.
- Improve skin tone and complexion, so that your pores are tighter, your complexion brighter and tighter.
- Help with acne, rosacea, and blemishes.
- Firm up sagging skin, instigating more facial muscle tone.
- Reduce the appearance of dark circles and bags under the eyes.
There is not much research to show that wrinkles can be eliminated with use of Gua Sha. But you will stimulate blood flow and circulation with massage, pressure, and scraping to bring greater healing and energy to your appearance. Not only does it enhance your physical wellbeing, but it also provides a calming ritual to help you unwind and reconnect with yourself.