Theyll only apply as much pressure as youre comfortable with. Gua sha tools for the face and body come in several shape options and are usually made out of real crystal or stone. If really excessive pressure is used on the muscles, this can tear the membrane that covers them. But, using this treatment thrice a week can help you see results, says Dr Dadu. In her experience, gua sha can even be a potential treatment for reducing headaches and insomnia. Even though this man had positive results, further research is needed. | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Site By Red Olive, You may benefit from scraping therapy if youve been experiencing, To schedule your appointment with us, fill this form out. Find out what this massage-like therapy can do for chronic pain. This allows you to move the, Start with cleansing the face and apply any serum, face oil or moisturiser. Carefully scrape and lift the skin from the forehead up, towards the hairline using the smooth edges of the right tool. When people fell ill or entered a coma, hands or stones, as well as household materials such as coins or tins, were used to massage parts of their body to help reduce the side effects and symptoms of their illnesses. Many people love gua sha facial massages because of their potential skin-boosting and anti-aging benefits. A single case of Tourettes syndrome treated with traditional Chinese medicine. This type of therapy can be used on areas of the body such as the back, arms, legs and buttocks, and it can also be used on the face. Coining can be defined as an ancient treatment method that is used to rid the body of heat or negative energies. The gua sha technique is also called spooning. Most practitioners use tools made out of natural materials such as gem stones, animal bone or animal horn, but some even use soup spoons or coins. Other side effects may includeswelling, tenderness or pain. GuaSha Massage has been widely used by the ancient Chinese for a really long while now as a folk therapy. Unlike oil, moisturizers or serums will not make the skin feel greasy or sticky. Most major cultural traditions identify a vital energy that guides your physical and mental processes. The information in our articles is NOT intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional and is not intended as medical advice. Using a professional improves the effectiveness of the treatment and reduces the risk of pain or severe bruising from excessive force. They work well with a moisturizer, like rose hips oil or a gentle face maskthough its not required. Migraines. Our team aims to be not only thorough with its research, but also objective and unbiased. According to the holistic facialist and gua sha guru, Julie Civiello Polier, these are thebasic steps to giving yourself a great gua sha facial: You should sweep each area three to five times. Increases blood circulation while lifting and firming the skin. Generally, one would expect to be sore and tender in the areas that are worked on with light red to purple markings for a couple of days, Tu adds. Last medically reviewed on June 16, 2017, If you can stand the sensations and occasional pain associated with active release technique, there are many benefits from the therapy for your, Tuina massage is an ancient Chinese practice that helps to get rid of blockages or imbalances that are believed to lead to pain and illness. This technique can be applied on the fine muscles of the head and face but with tender strokes. Addendum: Safety standards for. Gives the face a smoother complexion and more sculpted features. Effect of gua sha therapy on perimenopausal syndrome: a randomized controlled trial [Abstract]. This can sometimes result in skin bruising and minor bleeding. Cover up treated areas immediately with a towel to keep it warm. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Although Gua Sha treatment is not supposed to be painful, it however deliberately causes bruises, which may be discomforting for some people. Upon completion of the study, the intervention group reported greater reduction of symptoms such as insomnia, anxiety, fatigue, headaches, and hot flashes compared to the control group. Gua Sha, which literally means scraping sand, involves scraping the muscles of the face using an elongated stone. This allows you to move the Gua Sha tool across the skin more smoothly. But if it feels better to sweep from the inner corner of the eye to the hairline, then do that this is a more traditional direction for gua sha.. At Health Shots, she produces videos, podcasts, stories, and other kick-ass content. Face Roller Benefits + How to Use. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), potential decrease in anxiety and depression symptoms, Arthur Ashe Student Health & Wellness Center, What Is an Armpit Detoxand an Armpit Mask to Try, The 13 Best Deodorants for Menwith Tips from a Dermatologist, Do Not Sell My Personal Information CA Residents. An experience applying Gua-Sha to help a parturient women with breast fullness [Abstract]. The intervention group received 15 minute gua sha treatments once a week in conjunction with conventional therapy for eight weeks. The Gua Sha tool has been adjusted and modernized and made from finer materials such as jade or rose quartz to massage the appropriately lubricated area of the body surface in upward strokes, or in a swift and gentle but vigorous scraping motion in order to relax stiff muscles while relieving pain and tension, treat certain illnesses, as well as improve blood circulation. For example, there are amethyst, rose quartz and jade tools. Braun M, et al. with medical conditions affecting the skin or veins. Along with other helpful factors (including education on proper breastfeeding techniques), gua sha appears to have played a role in helping this mother to continue breastfeeding successfully. The study examined 80 women with perimenopausal symptoms. (2014). Allow your client to rest for some time cause the body must have gone through a lot during the procedure though it may not seem like it. You could also be sore and tender for a short while after you have your treatment. Gua sha is also sometimes referred to as coin rubbing or coining therapy. Avoid using this treatment on bare skin because it can cause rashes and irritation, suggests Dr Dadu. One group was given gua sha and the other used a thermal heating pad to treat neck pain. While there hasnt been much research conducted to date, many first-hand accounts have been positive. . Its not uncommon to have a longer healing time for soft tissue injuries compared to bone fractures. Historical records on GuaSha date back to the Paleolithic Age. There are many types of back massagers targeted to provide relief to areas, like the shoulders or low back. This motion raises small, red, rash-like dots that show under your skin called petechiae. Bruising usually disappears within a couple of days. Scraping therapy is a manual form of therapy where an instrument is used to scrape over the skin and improve circulation in the area. This ensures a safe, proper treatment. Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links. For example, after eight to 10 weeks of weekly professional facial gua sha, acne-sufferers have seen improvements in their chronic acne. (2017). Gua Sha is a technique on its own and it is just one tool amidst many others in the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) tool kit. Tu sees patients responding well to gua sha treatments for dealing with musculoskeletal painaffecting bones, joints, muscles, tendons, or ligaments. Heres what a dermatologist has to say. Ac., CYT. In terms of what the tool is made out of, you can make your choice based on color or if youre into the possible healing properties of crystals, you can make your choice based on that. If you have acne prone skin, you can use moisturizer or serum because these get absorbed into the skin easily. Improves the movement of lymphatic fluids and breaks down tension in muscles and knots in the face, neck, and shoulders. It is said to decrease puffiness, clear congested pores, firm the skin and make it generally more radiant than it was pre-treatment. If youre looking to use gua sha for face wrinkles and fine lines, there are no guarantees, but if you are going to see any improvements in signs of aging (or in other skin concerns like acne), then consistency is key. Schwickert ME, et al. (2007). Have an implant (like an internal defibrillator or pacemaker), Have any medical condition that affects the skin or veins. If any bleeding occurs, theres also the risk of transferring bloodborne illnesses with gua sha therapy, so its important for technicians to disinfect their tools after each person. When you schedule your consultation with a Physical Therapist at RPT, theyll be able to direct you to the treatment plan that will benefit you the most. It feels similar to a massage but rather than a hand, youre feeling the gliding strokes of a hard tool with rounded edges against your skin. If your migraine headaches dont respond to over-the-counter medications, gua sha may help. Her M.A. But thats not all! But we need more studies to know for sure. If youre wondering about the correct gua sha pronunciation, its gwa sha. Rather than using the hands, this ancient (likely overly 2,000 years old) Chinese therapy uses a tool to rub or scrape the skins surface in long strokes. The redness that occurs after scraping the skin encourages the skin to heal itself. Many users speak highly of its positive effects. You may notice that the practice is offered interchangeably with spooning which is the act of using a ceramic spoon to scrapealso known as using a coin to scrape.. The skin should not be broken as a result of gua sha scraping. Inflammation is the underlying cause of several conditions associated with chronic pain. It really is often a matter of personal preference. Perform the same steps on the other side side of your face. Gua Sha is considered to be a natural healing remedy. The skin should be slippery in order to prevent the Gua Sha from causing any kind of irritation. Make sure its well-rounded and fits in your hand without causing discomfort, Tu says. A randomized study published in 2017 in the journal Complementary Therapies in Medicine evaluated theeffects of gua sha on chronic lower back pain symptoms and inflammatory biomarkers in elderly subjects. It's, How does sticking needles in your body help treat pain, depression, or arthritis? This has been shown to aid in breaking down scar tissues that are often a result of some kind of trauma. Find a skilled practitioner who has good reviewsin other words, do some research. So, you should apply whatever your skin is more comfortable with! Maintain consistent pressure. Gua sha was passed down to her by her family members as part of her Chinese culture and tradition. He was given gua sha, and after 48 hours of treatment he experienced a decline in liver enzymes. The tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin called capillaries may burst. Those women saw their pain ease and they were eventually able to breastfeed more easily. However, the graston technique is focused more on breaking up fascia restrictions, while gua sha aims to increase circulation and lymphatic flow. More, 5 Gross Grilling Mistakes Damaging Your Health, Anti-Inflammatory Diet Tied to Increased Brain Volume, Vacation Health Benefits: How Taking Time Off Changes Your Brain. According to Joshua Zeichner, MD, Director of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, Jade rolling is a process that takes advantage of the actual contact between the stone and the skin. Spend a little more time on an area that has more sha, and move to the next skin area when there is no more she. Sweep over your cheekbones, finishing at the hairline. Some people may experience temporary skin indentation after a Gua Sha treatment. After a week, the people that had gua sha treatment saw their pain ease significantly for a short time. After the Gua Sha session, you can give your client a room temperature (not iced) glass of water in order to avoid unhealthy effect on the internal organs. GuaSha is not a procedure suitable for everybody and it may cause more harm than good for those who should not go through the procedure which includes but is not restricted to the following people: Lisa is a lifestyle blogger from Nigeria that is passionate about makeup, hair and skin. To cover this area best, do it in three to five smaller sections. Your technician may apply mild pressure, and gradually increase intensity to determine how much force you can handle. People can take an over-the-counter painkiller, like ibuprofen to kill pain and reduce swelling. However, you may have some bruising or discoloration of your skin. Also, make sure sterile materials are used to avoid possible infections. If you feel unsure about practicing gua sha therapy at home for the first time, you can always get a facial or massage from a professional who has a gua sha certification. Bright has authored two indie titles, and her young adult fantasy duology is on query with publishers. Typically, gua sha is considered safe. Whoever you choose, make sure that person has a certification in gua sha. She added, You can use the Gua Sha therapy in the morning or in the night before sleeping. Start at the base of one of the sides of the well-moisturized neck, pulling it up, towards the jaw area. He received acupuncture, herbs, gua sha, and modified his lifestyle. neck pain, back pain, sprained ankle, torn tendons/ligaments, or chronic pain. Repeat this a few times and do the same on the other side of the neck. The muscle contracts in this direction and the lymph has little rivers flowing down from the eyes all the way from the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner. If you plan to treat other areas of your body from home, research the best gua sha tool for your specific need. Tu advises patients to let their practitioner know how they are tolerating the session(s). Bidens COVID Symptoms Continue to Improve, First U.S. Polio Case in Nearly a Decade Reported in New York, Poll: What Doctors Wish Patients Knew About Their Work, Dr. Whyte's Book: Take Control of Your Diabetes Risk, Artificial Intelligence to Spot the Red Flags ofSuicide Risk, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox. Her work has appeared in Scholastic's Parent & Child magazine and blog, the Press Enterprise, Thriving Family, I Love Cats (NY), Christianity Today, and other publications. Your client should not be allowed to shower or bathe directly, for about an hour or more after treatment. More research is needed, but there are few risks associated with this massage technique. The greater the pressure used with any gua sha treatment, the higher the likelihood of adverse side effects. In one clinical trial, 48 people with chronic pain in their necks went into two equal groups. Gua sha may also relieve symptoms of other conditions: Hepatitis B is a viral infection that causes liver inflammation, liver damage, and liver scarring. 2020 RPT Utah. Gua sha side effects can include bruising caused by the bursting oftiny blood vessels (capillaries) near the surface of the skin. Chiropractor, Ronald Salupo, DC, from Lake Forest, California, has implemented gua sha at his practiceeven for plantar fasciitis. They often do it alongside other complementary treatments like herbal medicine, massage, acupuncture, and heat therapy. For example, some herbs have a cooling effect which would help to release exterior properties from those who have more heat symptoms in their body.. (Gua Sha)". ANew Yorkbased gua sha facial specialist, Britta Plug, explains, With this type of treatment, were moving lymph, which carries away toxins, or in this case, blackheads, and stimulating the chi or prana. The skin should be slippery in order to prevent the Gua Sha from causing any kind of irritation. I hardly hear about it anymore.. You cant obtain any of the potential gua sha benefits if you dont have the appropriate tool! Gua sha is generally not recommended for people who: Check with your healthcare provider before trying gua sha if you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition or are currently taking medication. Perimenopause occurs as women move closer to menopause. Related: What Is Face Rolling? The study involved a 33-year-old male who had Tourette syndrome since the age of 9. The shaping is also designed to apply pressure to the meridian points on the face to encourage a better flow of Qi, or vital life energy. It totally depends on the skin of the person. Sweep under your chin from the middle of your face out to your earlobe, keeping your tool flat. Breasts become swollen and painful, making it difficult for babies to latch. A study suggests that as part of a 14-day inpatient treatment, gua sha appeared to help ease migraine pain. Will Australias Twindemic Reach the U.S. Researchers are still trying to understand how it works. Sweep underneath your cheekbone, aiming to move fluid that tends to be stored here and direct it towards your hairline. The lucky person who receives this treatment is likely to experience immediate pain relief, feel lighter, and a nearly unplugged sensation as though the skin has been unblocked somewhere inside. You can also lightly and gently jiggle your tool at your hairline. Scrape the first few strokes for some time before applying a little more pressure. Experts are undecided about the long-term effects of gua sha on neck pain. These types of massagers say theyll smooth wrinkles, lift eyebrows, reduce acne scarringand they can even lighten dark circles and reduce puffiness. Be consistent with scraping in just one direction Dont injure your client by changing directions while scraping on a particular area of the skin. In one study, a 72-year-old woman living with chronic headaches received gua sha over a 14-day period. Some people may also experience temporary indentation of their skin. It usually leaves red or purple bruises on the skin. It usually occurs in the first weeks of breastfeeding or if the mother is away from the infant for any reason. Dont hesitate to try out using tools with various shapes and also using various sides of a tool to best fit the contours of your face. Lee MH, et al. Even if youre not familiar with gua sha massage, you may have seen the colorful face massagers (often light pink or green in the shape of a tulip or a loose heart)used for facial contouring. Methane is the greenhouse gas thats thought to beresponsible for aboutone-third of Theres nothing like getting family and friends together for a weekend of Its no secret that inflammation is the root of many diseases, but We can probably all agree that leaving the cubicle and heading out What Is Face Rolling? Since this treatment involves rubbing or scraping of skin with a massage tool, tiny blood vessels present near the surface of the skin can burst. First, apply moisturizer or oil to the area of the body that you want to work on. While broken skin is not common, there is a chance this can occur and pose the risk for infection. RPT offers a therapy called scraping therapy (or Instrument-Assisted Soft Tissue Mobilization), which has had high success rates of speeding up this healing process of soft tissues. If youre choosing a tool for the face, you want one with curves and rounded knobs that work well with your facial curves. When conventional therapies dont improve your symptoms, research suggests that gua sha may be able to provide relief. Begin by using the wider concave side of the, Can using a Gua Sha really transform your skin? Hold your tool firmly in the correct way. A rounded edge. Women nearing menopause can have things like abnormal periods, hot flashes, sleep issues, and mood changes. Let's take a look at potential benefits and some common myths about face, Feeling sore after a massage is pretty common, especially if you've had a deep tissue massage or another type that requires a lot of pressure. Avoid this technique if youve had any surgery in the last six weeks. It doesnt cause any pain, but the procedure may change the appearance of the skin. You should not be afraid to ask questions about how many sessions this should take in order to see potential results for your specific health goals. Gua Sha treatment involves an upwards and outward sweeping motion that helps to stimulate blood circulation. What Are the Health Benefits of Swedish Massage? Finish the treatment by sweeping down the neck to the collarbone. As a natural healing remedy, gua sha is safe. This technique may appear straightforward and simple, but it should only be performed by a licensed acupuncturist or practitioner of Chinese medicine. This ancient Chinese healing technique may offer a unique approach to better health, addressing issues like chronic pain. Well be in touch shortly to schedule your appointment! Gua sha isnt just for treating pain and injuriessome are also using it for digestive and respiratory conditionsalong with lymphatic drainage, Tu reports. Is Acupuncture the Miracle Remedy for Everything? But researchers need more evidence to confirm the links. ", Mayo Clinic: Petechiae, Perimenopause., CDC: Hepatitis B, What is Tourette Syndrome?, Forschende Komplementrmedizin/Research in Complementary Medicine: Gua Sha for migraine in inpatient withdrawal therapy of headache due to medication overuse., Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences: The Benefits of using with Gua Sha for your Massage Therapy Business., International Journal of ClinicalChemistry: Guasha-induced hepatoprotection in chronic active hepatitis B: a case study., Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies: A Single Case of Tourette's Syndrome Treated with Traditional Chinese Medicine., Oxford Academy: Effectiveness of Traditional Chinese Gua Sha Therapy in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial., North American Menopause Society: Effect of Gua sha therapy on perimenopausal syndrome: a randomized controlled trial., The Journal of Nursing: An experience applying Gua-Sha to help a parturient women with breast fullness., Stanford Medicine: "What is Coning? Chinese researchers tried gua sha on women going through menopause and found that the massage could ease issues like hot flashes, sleep issues, and mood changes, according to a 2018 review of research published in the journal Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. Considering how easy it is to find the necessary tools and perform facial gua sha in the comfort of your own home, its no wonder why its so popular. Bright also enjoys writing on nutrition and health, books, culture, lifestyle, faith, and science. Reduces hyperpigmentation on the treated surface area of the skin. (2007). However, other words for the term Gua Sha are skin scraping, spooning, coining. It used to be a natural traditional therapy that involves using a spatula made from buffalo horn to massage the skin. Sweep over the eyebrow out toward the hairline and then up from the brow bone over the forehead to the hairline. This can result in skin bruising and minor bleeding. Same thing goes for amethyst or rose quartz (the real versions will cost more than the ones that just look like theyre made of these crystals). Sweep up your neck on both sides, going very lightly over the Adams apple. This Dr. Axe content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure factually accurate information. It depends on your preference and the practitionersbut to avoid friction, its best to use a generous amount of oil, lubricant, or liniment. Some regular users also report that their pimples go away faster and they experience fewer and less intense breakouts. Have any idea what it might be? But, these bruises usually disappear within a couple of days. The GuaSha Massage technique is used to unblock and restore the flow of Qi in the area to which it has been applied. For example, jade stones have cooling propertiesso they are used in conditions where someone experiences inflammation or excess heat, Tu says. Her migraines improved during this time, suggesting that this ancient healing technique may be an effective remedy for headaches. Its important not to sweep over each area too many times, because this may cause counterproductive overstimulation. Tourette's syndrome. Developed during the Ming Dynasty, gua sha is one of many techniques that has been used for thousands of years to treat patients with traditional Chinese medicine. Celebrity esthetician Renee Rouleauexplains, I feel like its decreasingthat ship has kind of sailed. This Fall? In one study, women who were having trouble breastfeeding because of breast fullness got gua sha treatment while they were in the hospital and for a couple of weeks after they went home. Dianne Bright is a southern California-based writer specializing in parenting, marriage, and family.