Gua Sha – What It Is And Who Is It For?

By Author: SkinBar By Jane
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When you check the term ‘Gua Sha healing’ on Instagram or TikTok, a lot of results come up, and most of these results are questionable. The tools and equipment sold online that claim to aid in Gua Sha technique may not give you the needed benefits. Especially is you don’t know the right techniques and movement.

Booking a session with a licensed esthetician will make your experience satisfying, and you’ll enjoy all the benefits of this technique. This article will discuss what Gua Sha is and how this centuries-old practice has so many beauty benefits.

What is Gua Sha?

Gua Sha is a century-old Chinese tradition that directly translates to “scratch” and “sand.” Its meaning is rooted in its translation. According to traditional Chinese medicine, your qi (pronounced “chi”) should freely flow through your body, and if it isn’t, health problems occur when this energy is stagnant. This is where “scratch” (scarping, pushing, or rubbing the body) and “sand” (a smooth-edged tool) technique is used to gently scrape areas of your body where there’s stagnant qi or inflammation to help promote ...
... healing and improve circulation.

Benefits of Gua Sha

Gua Sha is a commonly used technique today, and so many practitioners find it useful in alleviating pain as well as increasing energy flow and circulation. There are so many benefits of Gua Sha, and they include.

Promote lymphatic drainage

A slow lymph system causes acne, puffiness, fatigue, swollen skin, and other skin problems. Since lymphatic drainage involves massage or muscle movement, Gua Sha is the best way to increase it. This technique eliminates fluid buildup and reduces puffiness.

Improve fine lines and wrinkles

Gua Sha relaxes your stiff tissues and muscles, thus reducing ageing signs. This technique can temporarily improve fine lines and wrinkles, but it may not be the right treatment for long-standing wrinkles.

Promote blood circulation

When the face is scrapped using any Gua Sha tool, the YangMing (stomach and large intestine) meridians are stimulated. It also tells your body that the area being massaged needs more blood circulation.

Relives tension from muscles

When this technique is used regularly, it releases built-up muscular tension and untangles knotted areas.

Fights Acne scars

Several people use Gua Sha to reduce the visibility of acne scars. Using this technique on the face brings fresh blood to the skin surface, which renews the skin cells and reduces scars.

Other benefits include.

Reduces perimenopause symptoms: A study shows that women near menopause had their perimenopause symptoms like headaches, insomnia, and sweating reduced using Gua Sha. [1]
Neck pain: A 2014 study shows that people with shoulder and neck pain from computer use had reduced pain and improved range of movement after undergoing a Gua Sha movement [2].
Training recovery for weightlifters: A 2017 study shows that weightlifters who had injuries recovered effortlessly, as Gua Sha treatment speed up their muscle recovery [3].
Back pain: Older adults were treated using Gua Sha or Hot pack. Both treatments relieved the pains, but the effects of Gua Sha lasted longer [3].
Who can use Gua Sha?

This technique is suitable for anyone who wants to break stagnant energy or improve their facial structures naturally. However, those who have deep vein thrombosis, who bleeds easily, have a tumor, infection, or wound that’s not fully healed. Those who have medical conditions affecting veins or skin and who have an implant such as an internal defibrillator or pacemaker. And those with sensitive skin should be extra careful when doing Gua Sha because too much pressure can cause skin irritation and bruises. Though the side effects are minimal, it can be uncomfortable if too much pressure is applied. This is why it is advised that the help of a professional esthetician is required. If you are in San Diego, you should visit SkinBar By Jane to book an appointment, and the estheticians there will sit with you and discuss how your treatment process will be like.

What happens during the treatment?

People often use this technique to treat chronic pains all over their body. They often do it alongside other treatments like heat therapy, herbal medicine, acupuncture, and massage. This therapy can be performed on a person’s back, buttocks, arms, necks, and legs.

On booking an appointment with an esthetician, you will be told the process and what you should do before the treatment. Firstly, oil will be applied to your body, and the Gua Sha massage tool will be used to scrape your face in long, downward strokes. This will be done gently, and with time, more pressure will be applied to the strokes. Depending on your discussion with your esthetician, pressure will only be applied as you’re comfortable with it. It may not be painful, but then it will cause bruises that should heal within a few days. This treatment will promote healing, help blood flow, lessen toxins and create a lasting effect on your skin.

For over 25 years, Jane has been sharing her knowledge with spa teams in postgraduate esthetic education. Teaching protocoled treatments and in-depth product knowledge to wellness spas across the US and Internationally. Discover more: https://skinbarbyjane.com