Gua Sha or Nah? What you need to know!
What is Gua Sha?
It's way more than a trend that's for certain! Gua Sha (pronounced 'gwa sha') is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy where a special tool is used to 'scrape' your skin(usually jade stone or other gemstone). This can result in tiny blood vessels coming to the surface and causing bruising. Don't be alarmed! This is totally normal. In fact, areas where more blood vessels appear, are said to be areas where there is more blockage and need deeper therapy. Healing of these 'wounds' can take a few days or over a week. Specialists believe that gua sha releases toxins and promotes better, more pure blood flow to the body, and relieves pain and tension. It is sometimes call "spooning", "scraping",or "coining". Practitioners use oils and a smooth stone to stroke areas of the body
History of Gua Sha
Gua Sha is one of the oldest forms of traditional Chinese medicine therapy and has been used for centuries to help relieve headaches, migraines, flu, asthma and more. It has been traced back at least 2000 years and possibly more.
Benefits
There are a plethora of incredible benefits to using Gua Sha and Facial Massage Tools including:
- Reduce puffiness and swelling
- Reduce wrinkles
- Improve circulation
- Remove toxins
- Improve lymphatic flow
- Reduce dark circles
- and so much more....
How to Use your Gua Sha Tool
First use your favourite essential oil to lubricate the area that you will be 'scraping'. Deep, down and outward strokes will cause the sha, or petechiae, to raise. If the sha does not appear it did not raise and therefore the blood will not flow as well as desired.
Conclusion
Definitely Gua Sha. You can't go wrong! In fact, you need some of this goodness in your life.
Remember, Gua Sha is a natural remedy. Do not be alarmed by the bruising that occurs. This means it's working!