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Gua Sha

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WHAT IS GUA SHA?


Gua sha is a healing technique of Traditional Chinese Medicine.  Sometimes called ‘coining, spooning or scraping’, Gua Sha (pronounced 'Gwah Sah') is a technique that involves palpation and cutaneous stimulation where the skin is pressured or scraped in strokes with a round-edged instrument.  This results in the appearance of small red petechiae called 'sha', that will fade in 2 to 3 days. 
Gua Sha can help to release fluids that contain metabolic waste and congest the surface tissues and muscles.  Gua Sha helps promote circulation and may help normalize metabolic processes.  It can be a valuable treatment for some cases of both external and internal pain.

Gua Sha also can help improve microcirculation and is backed by a strong research base regarding its positive anti-inflammatory, immune and microcirculation effects and more.


WHAT CAN GUA SHA TREAT?


Gua Sha has been shown in some cases to be stimulating to the immune system, and may help to detoxify, increase circulation, normalize metabolic processes, remove stagnation and ease pain.  Modern research has confirmed Gua Sha can reduce pain and inflammation in some cases while stimulating an immune protective response that can persist for days following treatment.
Gua Sha treatment may result in immediate relief that patients feel from:


•    Pain
•    Stiffness
•    Fever and Chill
•    Cough and wheezing
•    Nausea and vomiting

 

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine Gua Sha may help chronic internal organ disorders, for example some that involve inflammation.  Gua Sha may revitalize, rejuvenate and help diminish stress and fatigue.  No particular outcome is guaranteed and gua sha is not effective in some cases of any given condition.


WHAT TO EXPECT FROM GUA SHA?


In many (but not all) cases the patient feels an immediate shift in their condition, particularly in their pain, sense of constraint or range of motion (movement).  There is often sweating which is the body’s way of releasing toxins that have been inside the body. 


Gua Sha leaves marks but does not usually cause bruising.  Bruising represents traumatic bleeding and injury to the tissue.  The red marks seen after Gua Sha treatment represent the flight of red blood cells in the surface tissue.

 

Because these techniques open the skin’s pores to facilitate the release of heat, wind, or toxins, the areas we have worked on should be considered vulnerable to “invasion” by wind, cold, dampness, and other elements that can create stagnation and pain.  Therefore, please make sure to keep the areas worked on covered and away from coldness or wind for several days.  If you wish to receive Gua Sha on your neck please bring a scarf or something similar to cover your neck afterwards.

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GUA SHA STONES AND GIFT SETS

 

We have high quality gua sha stones and facial rollers in the clinic.  We occasionally have these new for sale on request individually or as gift sets.  Examples include those made from 100% natural Rose Quartz, Jade and other stones.  We do not use or sell lower quality 'stones' made from substances such as resin.  It is important to have the coolness of the real stones as part of the treatment.  This is partly because Gua Sha brings a lot of 'Yang' or warming energy to the surface of the body due to the increased blood flow.  The coolness of the stones helps balance this.

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For more information

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