About Gua Sha
"Believe It Or Not, These Marks From Gua Sha Are A Sign Of Relief!I
We Here at Bio Energetic Dynamics hope you enjoy and absorb the information regarding Gua Sha below. First of all, I would like to say that we will accommodate your tolerance level and give you a break if you need one during a session. A bibliography is included at the end of this page, along with active links to two other top professionals using this technology in the United States; if you wish to further explore my sources of information.
"Where It Comes From"
‘Feels Great, Looks Horrible’ is probably one of the better ways to summarize the results of applying this technique. Gua Sha is a traditional Oriental Bodywork that has its origins in many places in Asia as a ‘home remedy’, much like we use Chicken Soup for a cold (except this is more physical). It was often the subject of controversy in this country because of the temporary red marks it leaves on the skin (which are a good thing….more on that in a bit). In many parts of rural Asia, it is so common, no one makes a big deal out of it. It’s as controversial as getting a haircut. The word “Gua” loosely translates (presumable in Mandarin) to ‘Scraping’. To the Chinese, ‘scraping’ has many uses besides removing something from a surface. Shaving is also considered a form of ‘scraping’ Likewise, the Chinese know that ‘scraping’ the skin (without harming the Epidermis) will ‘iron out’ micro adhesions in the fascia (without doing damage), and that there is a vacuum effect immediately behind the point of scrape of the tool doing the scraping (which will elevate congealed and eviscerated fluids up to the Lymph vessels to be eliminated from the body). The word “Sha” loosely translated (also presumably in Madarin) to “Sand”.
Why would the Chinese call it ‘Scraping Sand’? Well, Gua Sha stems from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM for short). TCM began and evolved thousands of years before modern Allopathic (aka Pharmaceutically driven) medicine even surfaced. The ancient Chinese often used analogies and metaphors of natural processes and how they affected the world’s environment to describe the processes of the body, it’s organs, and how they fuctioned together (hopefully in harmony). They observed the world around them, and then created metaphors to help communicate a description of a given subject. For example, the ‘five elements’ in TCM are Fire, Earth, Metal, Water, Air, and Space. Ancient Chinese scholars created metaphors relating Water’s possible interactions and relationships with Fire (water extinguishes fire, and fire boils water) was similar to how the body’s internal organs would interact with each other. In the case of Gua Sha, our best bet is that Chinese likened eviscerated and congealed fluids that were stuck in the fascia, muscle, and other connective tissue to sand (and if you’ve been to the beach, you know how sand tends to get stuck in places you just don’t want it). So in this case, we’re ‘scraping the sand out’. When you compare this to the Greek’s naming of Hypnosis (which translates to “nervous sleep” in Classic Greek), I think you’ll agree the Yellow Emporor and crew did a decent job.
"What The Value Of It Is"
It is THE BEST way I know of to alleviate chronic hypertension and/or chronic pain from recent and older injuries. Most chronic pain boils down to a single concept: circulation in the local area or corresponding point is impeded, preventing the body from doing what it needs to do. Gua Sha often creates seemingly ‘miraculous’ results because it rapidly and strongly increases circulation and frees the body from it’s soft tissue impedences.. There has even been success using it with phantom limb pain. The most dramatic responses, in terms of physiological response and emotional satisfaction, come from back, shoulder (great for Frozen Shoulder), and neck scrapes. It’s also useful along the lower back, buttocks, and down the legs for low back pain, sciatica, knee pain, and menstral problems.
"How It Works"
The practitioner applies Gua Sha in smooth, unimpeded strokes in direct contact with the skin. The strokes traditionally go from proximal to distal (from the center of the body outward). The practitioner holds a Gua Sha tool, a thin, solid piece of material with a well rounded edge about the size of a credit card at a 45 degree angle. As the stroke is performed, two important things occur: First, as the front edge of the tool glides over the skin with pressure downward, friction and heat occurs. This will lead to Mast cells in the body producing histamines and ultimately erythemia (a bright pinkish coloring under the skin). If you’ve ever slapped your own skin (or someone else’s) repeatedly for any extended length of time and notices the pinkish imprint left behind, that was erythemia. In this context, however, it will create therapeutic inflammation, which is a good thing. This is because therapeutic inflammation acts as a catalyst for the body to begin it’s own healing process to clean out the localized area being treated. Also this action frees layers of fascia that may be stuck together because of micro abrasions. It’s very similar to the way a hairbrush takes the snarles out of long hair. The second thing that happens is that the minute vaccum created immediately behind the tool elevates eviscerated and congealed fluids trapped in the fascia and muscle tissue. As this happens, a sense ranging from mild peasantness and well being to sheer euphoria (when was the last time you felt euphoria?) prevade in the body. As these fluids (stagnant blood, lactic acid, etc.) are elevated, they are brought within Lymph vessels, which take them away to be excreted over a period ranging from several days to 2 weeks (two weeks is the longest I’ve seen for deep scrapes with a weak lymph system to completely disappear)…..and in case you’re wondering, I have NEVER had it not go away. When these fluids reach the surface, they form clusters of spots traditionally called “Petechie” (pronounced pi-ti-kia, plural petechiae pi-ti-ki-i) by many practitioners in Asia.. Now I have a very important side note here. Western Allopathic medicine often considers petechie to result from a minor hemorrhaging (bleeding), which it does. The important point to remember is that this hemorrhaging occured internally after the ORIGINAL INJURY that created the chronic pain! Gua Sha is NOT causing any additional bleeding to occur, but again, merely elevating to the surface what is already stuck between the layers of tissue as a result of the hemorrhaging immediately after the original injury. The stuck and congealed fluids are somewhat like a broken egg that hit the floor and never got cleaned up. The really cool bonus is that as the body cleans the Petechie out, it serves as a visual confirmation that your Lymphatic system is indeed working.
remember this?
All those red areas are elevated Petechie! They are not bruising because there was no damage to the tissue. For a bruise to occur, a capillary, vein, or artery must be broken, and an edema formed. An edema will blotch if touched, petechie does not! What we did was merely elevated loose pools of fluid up to a visible level of skin! It’s much like catching a fish. The fish swims freely in the water until you reel it in resulting in a controlled elevation to the surface of the water….but you don’t get to see your catch until it gets right up near the surface of the water! That’s when it becomes visible. Same concept here. For those that bruise easily, bruising is a possibllity, but it is not intended. In fact, people who bruise during this would likely bruise during moderate to deep Swedish massage (the lightest form of massage there is).
"What Gua Sha tools Look Like And What They're Made Of"
Gua Sha tools are and were made from natural materials. The short list includes Jade (or similar) stone, Water Buffalo Horn (the ancient form of plastic), the cone shaped hollow Ox horn, and Ceramic spoons. Modern advances now include metal and plastic tools. The basic requisite for a tool is that it must have a fairly thin (the thinner, the more penatrating) edge that is narrow and well rounded (sharp would break the skin – not the goal here). Most tools are shaped similar to a credit card, although some have curves or spaces cut out to allow for greater mobility around articular areas and curves on the body.
"Energetic Effects"
Much of what I’ve described thus far is quite physical and physiological based. After my years of experience (I started experimenting with this back in 2001), however, I can also say there appears to be interesting and odd energetic benefits as well as the body’s meridians begin clearing. I’ve noticed over the years that the greatest amounts of Petechie seem to surface near sensitive accupoints. The greater flow of various energies through the meridians is what I believe contributes to the generalized sense of well being after a scrape. I have also noticed that there may be a slight personality shift in a person as this potentially affects their emotional state (usually this happens after deeper scrapes of old, chronic problem areas). For example, someone who usually has a softer, reserved personality may begin to move slighty or greatly towards a more balanced persona. There are reports that this technology can be useful for dealing with phantom limb pain as well.
"Contra Indications"
First off, Gua Sha is not appropriate for acute pain. For acute injuries, it’s best to let the body do the best it can to heal itself. After that, Gua Sha can help the body reach a state to clean up anything that did not go optimally the first time.
Gua Sha should also not be applied to protrusions of the skin. Localized areas with moles, acne, warts, etc. should be avoided.
Gua Sha should also not be applied direct to a bone spur. Doing this could sever a tendon. That, would be bad….
Gua Sha has no value being applied to the Areola, although the surrounding breast tissue will benefit.
Gus Sha should also not be applied to any localized area with open sore, scabs, cuts, etc.
Gua Sha should not be applied during the first trimester of pregnancy (nor should any form of body work, unless your medical provider authorizes it).
That’s the short list, if you have any other questions, feel free to ask.
“Trying it out”
By now you should have a very, very good basic and thorough understanding of where this fascinating technique comes from, the value it provides, how it works, what the tools are, how they function, possible energetic effects, and contra indications.
In the State of Florida, Gua Sha is completely within the Scope of Practice for a massage therapist.
Feel free to do your own independent search on “Gua Sha” with your favorite Search Engine.
Bibliography
Lott, Matt. Clinical Applications; Clinical Applications for Chronic Soft Tissue Pain and Dysfunction. Stow: Self Published, 2006 www.guashatools.com
Neilson, Arya. Gua Sha; A Traditional Technique for Modern Practice. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1995 www.guasha.com
Yuan, Zhi Fu. The Art of Gua Sha. San Clemente, China Healthways Institute, 1994