[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Margot Robbie, Miranda Kerr, Jessica Alba—these are just three luminaries who have turned to the ancient healing art of
gua sha to refresh their appearances and bolster their overall wellness.
And why wouldn’t they?
Society is increasingly shifting away from get-fixed-quick methods for relieving what ails them, and seeking out timeworn natural remedies. These include the ancient art of cupping used in Traditional Chinese Medicine and
body brushing. But the new star on the horizon is gua sha — and, as the #guasha craze proves, it’s officially in the limelight.
But what is gua sha, exactly—and what are its leading benefits? Keep reading as we scrape away the layers.
What is gua sha?
Gua sha may seem like one of the hottest new trends, but it’s been practiced and enjoyed for centuries—as in, studies show that it dates back to the Yuan Dynasty in the 13
th century.
As one of the first staples in Traditional Chinese Medicine, it calls upon
round, smooth-edged tools—such as rose quartz, soup spoons or even one’s knuckles—to revive the qi, or energy flow, in the body.
Traditionally, gua sha—which is also known as “scraping”—was used to not only restore one’s qi but also for two primary purposes: To alleviate heat stroke and pain. Today, the treatment has been remarketed as one of the ultimate forms of
self-care and skin rejuvenation, with implements ranging from obsidian facial gua sha stones to jade rollers and ice globes.
How does gua sha work?
Whether it’s a stone or a spoon, the practice of gua sha involves rolling the chosen tool on specific places of the body to release fluid from the lymphatic system—a complex network of tissues, vessels and organs.
By applying pressure to areas on the “lymphatic map,” such as your neck, armpits and groin, lymphatic fluid (a clear, watery fluid) is sent back to your body’s liver for detoxification. The end result? You may feel less bloated, less achy, lighter and straight-up
healthier.
Further, gua sha works to, quite literally, scrape the
fascial layer—an equally complex web of connective tissue comprised of collagen, elastic fibers, glycoproteins (and more) that rests mere millimeters from the surface of your skin and permits you to do everything from walk to recover from an injury.
Tell me more about how gua sha works
When a gua sha tool is employed—often used along the meridians of your body—it aims to stimulate blood flow. The application of pressure prompts redness, or what is scientifically known as
petechiae. As the
International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy reports, this frees blood stagnation and decreases pain. Other studies also reveal that it fosters circulation—which is essential for
healing of any kind.
What are the benefits of gua sha?
With the basics behind us, let’s turn to what you probably
really want to know: How can you benefit from this practice?
Below you’ll find the myriad pluses of gua sha:
Brighter, tighter skin
From New York City to San Francisco, gua sha facials have become the skincare indulgence
du jour. For a good reason too: The process of scraping your fascial fascia (there’s some alliteration for you!) promotes increased blood flow, decreases puffiness and may leave you with a more luminous and chiseled appearance.
In order to grasp this on a deeper level, it’s vital to peer back in time at gua sha’s origins.
The practice was originally recorded in a book on Chinese medicine titled
Shan Han Lun. The concept? To use the technique of scraping to achieve “Sha,” or redness.
This redness (basically, a rush of blood), whether it be to your cheekbones or jawline, detoxifies the skin and promotes accelerated healing by flushing the area with a fresh supply of oxygen and nutrients. It may also reduce inflammation while encouraging the production of collagen—which we all know is one of the keys to a supple, gorgeous complexion.
Diminished pain
Although research on Gua Sha is limited thus far, a small handful of studies indicates that the practice’s potentially anti-inflammatory powers may decrease aches and tenderness.
A randomized controlled trial published in
Complementary Therapies in Medicine, for instance, found that Gua Sha might have a longer lasting
impact on inflammation in senior adults with chronic lower back pain than hot packs.
Another study, featured in the
Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, found that rats who were given two treatments of Gua Sha demonstrated significantly
reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines—in short, substances that provoke pain.
Improved perimenopausal symptoms
Perimenopause—the stage before the onset of menopause (or the complete cessation of a menstrual period)—is often accompanied by a host of rather unpleasant symptoms.
Gua Sha is one possible way to mitigate these discomforts: According to a 2017 study featured in the journal
Menopause, the technique, when used for 15 minutes once a week, may
assuage insomnia, hot flashes, headaches and angst. The Cleveland Clinic confirms this, but notes that women will experience greater relief from these symptoms when Gua Sha is performed in conjunction with acupuncture.
Support for musculoskeletal issues
Whether you have tight shoulders from working on your laptop all day or neck pain from sleeping the wrong way, you may want to consider Gua Sha as an alternative to pain relievers: As an acupuncturist, I can attest to the powers of releasing fascial adhesions in your upper back after a long day of telemedicine.
Additional benefits of Gua Sha
Further, Gua Sha has received a glowing reputation for:
- Improving muscle (and general) weakness
- Lessing sinus pressure and pain
- Soothing the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy
In sum, Gua Sha helps bring the body back into balance—which is one of the tickets to physical, and psychological, health.
Are there any side effects of Gua Sha?
This varies. It’s important to refrain from Gua Sha if you’re sunburned or have a rash or blistered skin. It should also be avoided if you have a blood coagulation complication. And it must be used with great gentleness in the elderly with thinning, delicate skin that is easily bruised.
How do I use a Gua Sha tool?
While Gua Sha practitioners in China have used everything from old coins to bones for tools, modern implements were designed to facilitate a nearly-effortless experience.
Experts suggest applying your tool of choice—such as
Koa Life’s splendid Rose Quartz Gua Sha Massage Tool—with gentle pressure, ideally in the direction of your lymphatic flow. (For more on where these areas are located, check out this
animated video on the lymphatic system.) They also recommend using a mix of short and long strokes—again for lymphatic drainage and to release pent-up parts of your fascia.
Alternatively, you could seek out professional Gua Sha before utilizing a Gua Sha tool at home. This may look like a Gua Sha facial, massage or other body treatment—the latter of which is usually executed by an acupuncturist.
(Quick side note: You may hear Gua Sha used interchangeably with what’s known as the Graston Technique. While they are more or less the same, the Graston Technique is carried out by a licensed physical therapist.)
How often should I perform Gua Sha at home?
This is entirely up to you, your purposes for engaging in the practice, and your tolerance to it.
That said, for more radiant skin, top dermatologists suggest using a Gua Sha tool for a few minutes once a week until your skin adjust to it. After that, gradually progress until it becomes a daily practice.
Other practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine advise employing the technique for ten to twenty minutes anytime you feel stiff, or have muscle tightness and decreased range of motion in a body part.
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