What is Guasha and how does it work?
Guasha is a traditional treatment technique which uses a tool to apply pressure and scrape the skin to improve blood circulation, relieve pain and tension. Our physician first applies lubricant onto the skin before using the Guasha tool to scrape or ‘gua’ the skin with short or long strokes. This scraping stimulates microcirculation of the soft tissue which increases blood flow therefore improving blood circulation.
Guasha can be used to alleviate various ailments and conditions such as muscle aches, chronic pains and neck pains. It is used to move blocked energy or ‘Qi’ which is believed to be the cause of aches and stiffness in various parts of the body. By moving the blocked and stagnant Qi and increasing blood circulation, healing is promoted. Guasha is reported to help to reduce inflammation, treat certain respiratory problems and other problems stemming from the stagnation of blood or Qi. The force and microtrauma caused by Guasha can also help to break up scar tissue and even fibrosis. Not only can it be used on the body (common body parts are the back, neck and shoulders), Guasha can be performed on the face as well to improve blood circulation and increase the firmness of the skin.
The ‘sha’ which is the aftermath of Guasha is the reddish raised skin. Our physician can make a diagnosis on your body condition based on the colour and intensity of the ‘sha’. After a session of Guasha, patients usually report feeling more relaxed and relieved of tension!
What are the common benefits of Guasha?
- Pain management
- Relaxes stiff muscles
- Improves blood circulation
- Skin firmness improvements