Gua Sha is simple to perform and can be done at home if you have the proper techniques and safety precautions. Be sure to consult your health care provider before adding Gua Sha to your daily routine.
On the body
Gua Sha is performed along the meridians of the body. According to Chinese medicine, meridians are channels or energy flows through our bodies where Qi flows.
The gua sha tool scrapes in fluid motion to disperse stagnant blood. Prolonged tapping with considerable pressure on lubricated skin helps stimulate blood flow in the affected area. Mild bruising often occurs as a result of blood flow to the skin's surface.
Practitioners usually massage the painful area or scrape along the meridian lines, depending on the desired result. Gua sha is usually performed on the back, neck, shoulders, and sometimes the legs.
"Scraping the area between the shoulder blades and vertebrae helps reduce inflammation, strengthens the lungs and dispels pathogens from the chest," Sher says.
"Typically, a polishing tool made of jade or quartz is used to massage the face," she says. "Facial scraping promotes blood circulation and the production of anti-aging molecules, collagen and elastin."
Collagen helps reduce wrinkles, while elastin helps firm and tone the face. This increased circulation helps detoxify the body. This may lead to a clearer complexion and promote lymphatic drainage.
To reduce puffiness around the eyes
1. Lubricate the eye area with lotion or oil.
2. Sweep a shaving tool across the under-eye area, then to the temples, - straight to the hairline.
3. Repeat three times on each eye, then use the tool to extend from the inner corner of the brow bone outward to the temple area.
Promote lymphatic drainage
1. Start at the chin and sweep along the jaw line to the ears. 2. Move the tool behind the earlobe and down to the neck. 3. Repeat three times.
Relieve tension in the head
1. Start from the middle of the forehead, - up to the temples, - up to the hairline. 2. Repeat several times.
Contouring the nose and removing puffiness
1. Gently scrape the tool onto the bridge of the nose.
2. Move it down the - side of the nose to the cheeks. 3. Repeat three times.
Contouring the chin and removing puffiness
1. Gently guide the tool from the middle of the chin along the jawline to the ears. 2. Repeat three times on both sides of the face.
