Gua Sha is a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine, which includes firm rubbing of the skin to remove the toxins from the body. ‘Gua’ means to scrape and ‘Sha’ means toxins in the form of reddish elevations that erupt on the skin. This therapy believes in scraping off the toxins and promoting blood circulation and bioelectric life energy thereby improving health.
Gua Sha is popular in many parts of the world but is more widely practiced in China. This is an ancient system of healing. This treatment involves scrapping of the skin with pressure strokes using round edged instrument.
Principle
Gua Sha therapy is based on the principle that pain or most of the ailments occur due to the stagnation of blood in the body tissues. This mainly builds up the toxins, which in return disturbs the life energy balance.
Gua Sha is found as an alternative form of medicine that helps to release this trapped blood. It is also believed to let out toxins as well as negative energy through this mode. Due to the scrapping, the skin feels warm and there are reddish scrapping marks seen on the treated area. This therapy is believed to improve circulation and relieve pain or spasm in the body.
Method
This treatment is given when a patient is suffering from pain or an acute or chronic disease. This may be associated with tenderness, and knotty feeling in the region. The practitioner palpates the area to observe the blanching of the skin and concludes the requirement of the treatment.
It is mostly applied on the yang surface of the body which is the neck, shoulders, back, buttocks and legs as per the Chinese Medicine principle. It should be applied on a healthy intact area of skin. The skin area to be treated is rubbed with oil. Coins or porcelain/ metal spoons are used as scrappers and the skin is scrapped in the same direction till it turns red.
This is a science and has to be performed by a trained therapist. The time and duration are decided by the therapist depending on the patient’s condition.
Benefits
Gua Sha is known to be beneficial in treating long standing ailments, prolonged pain and healing injuries. It can be used for respiratory and digestive complaints.
Safety First
This should not be performed when there are skin lesions like acne, rash or burns and in pregnant women.
