Isn’t it astonishing how there is a new tool trending every few months? Today we are talking about Gua Sha – a natural therapy that has been taken directly from ancient Chinese tradition.
The practice of gua sha is generally known to improve blood circulation. Not only does a better blood flow contribute towards a healthier lifestyle, but it also helps people alleviate acute and chronic pain in certain areas of the body.
What is Gua Sha?
Gua sha (pronounced as gwahshah) has originated from the ancient Chinese term that translates to scraping. This practice of scraping the surface of the skin is also commonly known as coining or spooning.
In medicinal terms, gua sha is the process of using a small, rock sized tool that is used to apply pressure and scrape the skin. While it is known to cause slight bruising due to the pressure, it is still extremely beneficial in alleviating sensations of pain or reducing tension from the skin and the muscles underneath.
Since it is an ancient Chinese practice, it relies on the belief that qi (pronounced as chi) is the energy that flows through each individual’s body and an imbalance of this energy can cause illnesses, deterioration of health, and sensations of pain. Due to this imbalance, the first areas of the body to be affected are the muscles and joints. Gua sha is meant to be a therapeutic practice to keep the qi flowing freely through the body and thus avoid any stiffness or tightness of the muscles.
Apart from its Chinese origin, the practice of gua sha can also be validated through traditional East Asian medicine. This school of thought also viewed stagnation of the blood vessels as the most common cause of pain in muscles and joints. By scraping the surface of the skin through a gua sha tool, one can eradicate pools of blood in the body and improve blood circulation.
The Medical Explanation
If you are not one to rely on ancient explanations of therapy, there is also a medical explanation as to how gua sha is effective. Taking inspiration from such ancient traditions, modern physiologists and therapists developed their own method known as instrument associated soft tissue mobilization (IASTM).
This practice is remarkably similar to gua sha since it involves the use of a small tool to apply directed pressure on specific areas of the body during massage or therapy which allows for healthier joints and muscles.
How It Works
Gua sha is a practice that is assisted through a small tool known as a scraper. As it becomes readily available, one can point out the similarities that it has with a derma roller – one of the other products that had become a trend rather quickly in the world of dermatology.
The process of gua sha works by using a small gua sha scraper to apply pressure on specific points of the body where you may be experiencing pain, swelling, or tightness. This form of therapy is generally harmless, especially since you are only replicating the procedure of a typical massage – only assisted by a special gua sha tool.
Using a Gua Sha Tool
There are many gua sha tools available in the market today. If you aim to use one for yourself, you can even purchase a good quality gua sha tool through wholesaleguashatools.com or popular crystal supplier such as Wholesale Crystal Supplier.
Some of these gua sha tools are specifically designed for the purpose of therapy and are manufactured in bone shapes or by using rose quartz. Such stones are only used for their properties – since rose quartz is known to be able to retain both cold and warmth in a better way than other stones.
While you can choose to use a gua sha scraper in any stone that you prefer, many people rely on stainless steel tools to ensure that they can be sterilized properly before use.
Regardless of the type of gua sha tool that you use, it is important to focus on the physical motion and pressure that you are applying on the body. The surface of the skin should be prepped using an essential oil or a light cream before using the scraper since it allows for easier motioning on the skin. You should only apply mild pressure as you scrape the skin as the entire purpose of gua sha is to stimulate the muscles and muscle tissue underneath the surface.
Instead of opting for one repetitive motion, you should use a combination of long and short strokes to make the best use of gua sha therapy. This helps release the tightness of the skin, stimulate blood flow, and even increase your natural collagen production.
The Uses of Gua Sha
If you are still wondering whether gua sha can be beneficial for you or not, the decision can be made easier by considering the many uses of gua sha.
The practice is commonly used to relieve muscle and joint pain – as implied by the Chinese explanation of qi, or energy flowing through the body. Applying pressure on areas where you are experiencing pain is a common method of treating it – and using a small gua sha tool to scrape the surface while simultaneously applying pressure is highly therapeutic. Musculoskeletal disorders such as back pain or strain can be effectively treated using gua sha.
Apart from the alleviation of pain, gua sha is also used to enhance the immune system and reduce inflammation in many parts of the body. For people who experience persistent cold, flu, and fever, gua sha can be a great therapeutic intervention to help alleviate the symptoms.
The Benefits of Gua Sha Therapy
If you think gua sha only relies on ancient Chinese and East Asian traditions, you are probably wrong. Many researchers have conducted studies on people who suffer from certain conditions and tried treating them using the gua sha tool.
Research has concluded that women experiencing perimenopause symptoms were able to experience betterment in their health after undergoing gua sha therapy. Another study showed that people who experienced back pain due to poor posture by constantly using a computer were able to feel better after gua sha.
Weightlifting is another common cause of back pain – and a 2017 study concluded that gua sha helped weightlifters develop better strength since the therapy helped muscles heal quicker. When compared with the results of treating muscle stiffness with heating pads, it was discovered that gua sha therapy had more long-lasting results.
The Final Word
Gua sha may sound scary to most people since it involves scraping the skin using a slightly textured tool. However, there is nothing to be afraid of. Gua sha tools help stimulate blood flow and move the muscles underneath the skin in a manner that helps alleviate any symptoms of pain, stiffness, or inflammation.
While some people with extremely sensitive skin may report temporary indentation after undergoing gua sha therapy, these side effects are just temporary. The lasting effects of gua sha are extremely beneficial as proven through extensive research.
If you constantly experience tightened muscles or pain in certain areas of the body, getting a simple gua sha tool and trying the therapy at home can be highly beneficial in reducing such symptoms. After all, the therapy does contribute towards better blood circulation, muscle movement, and even a general improvement in health and wellbeing.
