The Benefits of Gua Sha Massage
Gua Sha is an ancient natural Chinese medicine technique that has so many uses; it’s no wonder the practice has exploded in popularity recently! What is gua sha, though?? I’m glad you asked…
Gua sha is a type of massage that uses a smooth, flat tool to gently scrape the muscles. This probably sounds super weird, but there are a TON of things that this type of massage can help with! You’re probably thinking, “Really, Lydia? A massage that sounds like some type of sushi is gonna help me?” TRUST ME, it’s the real deal--and the best part is that it’s completely natural! No pain medications, or harsh chemical lotions, and you can experience relief from all kinds of chronic aches and pains. Let’s talk about how…
What does gua sha massage do?
Physically, the process of gua sha is very much like a regular massage. There are long, downward strokes done over the whole body, and the pressure shouldn’t really be uncomfortable. The biggest difference between a gua sha and a regular massage is the use of a tool. This tool is always flat but can be in several kinds of curvy shapes to flow with the body’s contours. By scraping it gently along the body, a gua sha massage relieves muscle tension, stimulates blood flow, and helps with lymphatic drainage.
Some more specific things a gua sha massage can do are:
Relieve neck pain
Increase blood flow
Combat liver inflammation
Break up scar tissue
Help with engorgement while breastfeeding
Reduce symptoms of menopause
Improve joint mobility
Minimize swelling
Alleviate carpal tunnel
Can also be great to try at home on your face! (Read my blog post on that here)
Gua sha massage can help with so many issues, and the best part is you can do it at home if getting one professionally isn’t your thing!
So what do you need for your own gua sha massage? Just a handy dandy gua sha tool! Read below to find out what you should be looking for...
What kind of tool is used for gua sha massage?
Like we talked about above, gua sha tools are always flat and kind of blob-shaped. However, they can be made of several different things. Rose quartz, jade, amethyst, obsidian, tiger’s eye, porcelain, bone, and even stainless steel! In ancient times, porcelain and bone were the most common kinds. They are also not very big, and should easily fit into your hand. While they are used to “scrape” the skin, they should NOT be sharp, or have sharp edges. You should be able to touch every part of it, and not be cut. Gua sha tools should be smooth as a baby’s butt all over!
Now that we know how gua sha massage can help, and what we need to have one, let’s talk about what to expect from it…
What to expect from a gua sha massage:
Whether you do your own or get a professional gua sha massage, there are a few things to keep in mind when having one.
Pressure
A regular gua sha massage shouldn’t be more than the pressure you would use for a light massage. Too hard can be painful, and too light doesn’t give you all the benefits!
Discomfort
Of course, even with mild pressure, some body parts are more sensitive than others. If you have old scars or tense/unworked muscles, a gua sha massage can leave these areas feeling tender. This is normal, and can even improve with regular massages!
Redness
Since gua sha massage impacts all the layers of your skin, and muscles underneath your skin, it promotes increased blood flow. This can lead to some redness and very slight bruising from burst capillaries. Capillaries are the tiniest blood vessels, and a few breaking over skin that is closest to your bones is normal.
Benefits
Take stock of how your body feels before and after gua sha massage. Chances are, you’ll find more benefits than the ones we talked about above!
Gua sha massage is a wonderful way to take advantage of natural pain relief. However, consult with your doctor first if you have had any recent surgeries, are taking blood thinners, or have blood clotting issues.
If you have any other questions, let me know in the comments below! I would love to talk more with you about the benefits of gua sha massage!
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