What is Gua Sha?
Gua Sha is a technique used in Traditional Chinese Medicine that stimulates blood circulation and healing. This is most commonly performed on the face to decrease puffiness by stimulating lymphatic drainage, but can also be performed on other parts of the body to relieve muscle tension through “muscle scraping”. Gua Shua uses a small, 
smooth tool that is typically made out of jade, rose quartz, or stainless steel. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, this practice is said to balance the body’s qi (“chi”) by treating parts of the body where energy might be stagnant, now allowing energy to flow freely.
Benefits of regular Gua Sha treatments include the following:
- Increases circulation in treated areas
- Reduce inflammation and puffiness through increased lymphatic drainage
- Ease pain from tight muscles (muscle scraping)
- Improves skin texture and health
Now to try it at home…
You can receive Gua Sha treatments through your Acupuncturist, but you can also try it at home!
Follow these steps to get started:
- Moisturize your face with a lotion or serum. This will reduce drag and allow the tool to move smoothly.
- Using a clean tool, apply gentle pressure from the center of your face outwards in a linear pattern
- Work in a slightly upwards motion (chin towards your ears, cheekbones to your ears…) to encourage lymphatic drainage to decrease puffiness.
