With so many pressures in life, it’s important to seek out self-care activities to maintain our physical and mental well-being. Among these options is the traditional Chinese technique of gua sha, which can increase relaxation and have other benefits. As we navigate the challenges of daily life, understanding and embracing ancient healing methods like gua sha can provide a sense of balance and rejuvenation. If you’re unsure how to use it, this guide can help.
When Life gets Tiring
Whether you work outside the home or within, whatever the nature of your work, your age or gender, the end of the day can come with a feeling of exhaustion. Everyone has their own strategies to cope with these feelings – both physical and mental.
Then there are some of us who ignore these feelings, and hope that they will go away on their own. Instead, they build up, and one day when you least expect it, the dam bursts. Panic attacks, skin breakouts, depression, anxiety, digestive issues, sleep problems and more can wreak havoc in your life. You could develop chronic lifestyle diseases such as diabetes or hypertension that impact the quality of your life and relationships too.
While it’s true that the body has its own healing powers, there are limits to which you can push it. That is where self-care comes in. Taking good care of your health doesn’t mean that you obsess over diet or exercise. It is a global concept that involves mindfulness, adequate rest and relaxation, sensible eating, getting the right amount of sleep, practicing gratitude and kindness, self-awareness, building and maintaining meaningful relationships with people and the environment.
Traditional and Alternative Medicines
Modern medical science and technology is impressive. From robotic surgery to complex pharmaceutical discoveries, sophisticated testing, nutrition and supplements, preventive and palliative care, and more recently, in combating pandemics, medical science has extended life expectancy across the world.
One of the areas that modern medicine tends to cold shoulder is traditional or alternative therapy. These are seen as unscientific, lacking proper evidence or testing, superstitious and based on pseudoscience, religion or even fraud.
This dismissive approach compels such alternative therapies to be seen as exotic, miraculous, or unpredictable. Practitioners and consumers of alternative medicine see it as holistic and natural, simpler, and making use of the body’s own healing powers instead of external agents.
Traditional Chinese medicine uses roots and herbs, acupuncture and acupressure, diet, massage, movement, and exercises. Philosophically, this branch of medicine is rooted in a concept known as Chi, which is a form of supernatural energy. All disease and discomfort are presumed to be due to a blocking of the free flow of Chi.
It also uses certain tools and appliances to enhance healing. These include stones, semi-precious stones, cups, needles, ear candles, flails, sticks and more. The logic underlying these tools is to free the Chi energy and allow it to flow freely.
What is Gua Sha?
Gua sha translates from Mandarin to “Scrape sand” in English. It is a method used in traditional Chinese medicine to release the Chi, eliminate unhealthy matter from the body, and stimulate the body’s own healing processes.
It is practiced by professionals, using appropriate tools. The area is first lubricated with an oil or serum and treatment involves repeated scraping of the skin while pressing down on it. This results in the appearance of fine red dots known as petechiae on the skin that resemble a rash.
Some people find gua sha to help with reducing migraines, chronic pain, menopausal problems and more. You can get more information from a trained Chinese medicine practitioner, an experienced cosmetologist or dermatologist.
As a wellness aid, gua sha can help in facial massage, lymphatic drainage, and relaxation. It is an option for reducing wrinkles and fine lines too, for those who don’t want to use injectables. Other skin benefits can include improvements in tone and texture, and better circulation. Some people find the regular use of gua sha tools helps skin care products absorb better and prevents water retention in the face. It may also reduce cellulite and boost collagen production for certain persons.
One reason why stress relief and weight loss are related is because stress causes the release of the hormone cortisol, and this is directly related to fat storage. Gua sha practice helps to eliminate toxins that may accumulate from poor dietary habits, lifestyle, and pollution. The scraping motion allows lymphatic drainage and can give the skin a fresh glow.
How to Use Gua Sha Tools: A Step-By-Step Guide
To get the right results from gua sha, it’s important to do it the right way. This is a practice that needs time, mindfulness, concentration, and focus. Learn the right way to do it from a professional if possible or watch instructional videos that give you the correct techniques.
1. Collect all your tools including the gua sha stone, lubricant or serum, soft towels, and facial cleanser. Find a quiet place where you can remain undisturbed for the session.
2. Always start by thoroughly cleaning your face and neck to remove all accumulated grease, dust and pollution. Dry the skin gently with a soft towel. Use a hairband to pull your hair away from your face.
3. Gently apply the lubricant oil or serum evenly across your face and neck.
4. Grip the stone firmly in the correct position and start scraping using the wide part of the stone, from the neck towards your jawline across the bottom of your jaw and chin in a firm but gentle movement without too much pressure.
5. Complete the neck portion, always remembering to scrape upwards in one direction only.
6. Next work from your chin to the earlobes along the jawline. This helps to define the bone structure.
7. Move upwards and start scraping from nose to the ears along the central part of your face across your cheeks.
8. Turn the gua sha stone to its smaller side and scrape very gently under the eyes. Use the curved portion across the eyebrows.
9. Finally finish at the forehead, scraping from brows to hairline.
10. Relax for a few minutes with your eyes closed. Wash your face gently with cool water and pat dry. Clean your gua sha tools well and dry them before storing them.
Helpful Tips
Don’t over-use gua sha; limit the sessions to once or twice a week. If you have sensitive skin, talk to your doctor before starting the practice. Many people report feeling good when they use gua sha as part of their bedtime skincare routine, while others use it to reduce face puffiness when they wake up in the morning.
All skincare routines work best if you follow a regular, consistent time and not just pick a random moment during the day or night.
See a doctor before beginning gua sha, and ensure that you learn the proper techniques and safety protocols before trying at home.
Photo credit: Tima Miroshnichenko from Pexels (Canva Free Content License).