A Gua Sha Board and an Experienced Practitioner
Gua Sha for health maintenance is not difficult; items like a comb, a porcelain cup lid, or even a rounded spoon can be used for Gua Sha, making it simple and easy to perform.01Common Cold:Da Zhui (Great Vertebra) PointDa Zhui Point: Located in the depression just below the highest protrusion of the cervical vertebrae at the back of the neck, more pronounced when the head is lowered.
Method: Scrape from top to bottom for about 5 to 10 minutes, until the back of the neck feels warm.02Lower Back Pain:Hands + BackMethod: Apply Gua Sha oil to the lower back, then slowly scrape downwards along both sides of the spine. The reflex area for the lower back is in the center of the back of the hand; apply a little Gua Sha oil and scrape from the wrist to the tip of the middle finger. Look for areas of pain, nodules, or muscle tension while scraping, for about 15 to 30 minutes.03Breast Nodules:Scraping the BreastsMethod: Apply a small amount of moisturizer, then hold the scraping board at a 45-degree angle and scrape gently from the base of the breast towards the nipple, using a comfortable pressure for about 5 to 10 minutes. Note: Avoid scraping the nipple, areola, and any unexplained lumps in the breast.04Digestive Issues:Tian Shu (Heavenly Pivot) PointTian Shu Point: Located two inches beside the navel.
For mild diarrhea: Use the scraping board to massage the Tian Shu point counterclockwise, or press the Zhong Wan point (4 inches above the navel). For constipation: Scrape the Tian Shu point clockwise until a warm sensation is felt in the abdomen.05Dry Eyes:Scraping the Eye SocketMethod: When the eyes are fatigued, use the scraping board to gently massage around the eyes, focusing on Jing Ming (Bright Eyes) point (inner corner), Zan Zhu (Bamboo Gathering) point (eyebrow), Yu Yao (Fish Waist) point (middle of the eyebrow), and Tai Yang (Sun) point (outer corner), for 1 to 2 minutes each. You can also scrape around the eye socket directly to relieve fatigue and improve vision.06Fatigue:Bai Hui (Hundred Meetings) + Tai Yang (Sun) PointsBai Hui Point: Located at the intersection of the midline of the head and the line connecting the tips of both ears.Tai Yang Point: Located in front of the ear, above the outer corner of the eye. Method: First, comb the hair from the forehead to the back, which helps wake the mind in the morning; second, scrape from the center of the head in all directions, relaxing the entire head around the Bai Hui point; third, scrape from the center of the head forward and backward, and from the sides towards the back. This promotes blood circulation in the head, enhancing mental clarity and memory. Note: Scrape or massage lightly whenever possible.07Neck and Shoulder Pain:Feng Chi (Wind Pool) + Jian Jing (Shoulder Well) PointsFeng Chi Point: Located on either side of the large muscle at the back of the head, parallel to the earlobes, in the depressions at the back of the head.Jian Jing Point: Located at the midpoint of the line connecting Da Zhui and the acromion, at the highest point of the shoulder.Method: Scrape from the Feng Chi point down to the Jian Jing point, then scrape along the shoulder from the inside out, 30 times on fleshy areas and 20 times on bony areas. Note: Adjust the angle with your wrist and move your forearm to guide the scraping board.08Blood Nourishment and Liver Support:Xue Hai (Sea of Blood) + San Yin Jiao (Three Yin Intersection) PointsXue Hai Point: Bend the knee and cover the kneecap with the palm, fingers pointing upwards, with the thumb at the fleshy part below.San Yin Jiao Point: Located on the inner side of the lower leg, 4 fingerbreadths above the ankle.Method: Scrape from the Xue Hai point to the San Yin Jiao point in one continuous motion without pausing, until the skin turns red and purple petechiae form. Regular scraping of the San Yin Jiao can nourish blood and support the liver. Note: For lower limb scraping, start with the outer side, scraping downwards, then the back (bladder meridian area), and finally the inner side.09Spring Excess Heat:Tai Chong (Great Surge) + Xing Jian (Moving Between) PointsSymptoms: Gum pain, sore throat, mouth ulcers, thirst, irritability, yellow urine, dry stools, red tongue with yellow coating. Xing Jian Point: Located between the first and second toes on the dorsum of the foot.
Nei Ting Point: Located between the second and third toes on the dorsum of the foot.
Method: When scraping, use the blunt edge of the scraping board to press on the Xing Jian and Nei Ting points for 1 to 2 minutes each, then scrape upwards (can be combined with Gua Sha oil or massage oil), applying a stronger pressure within tolerable limits until petechiae appear or scrape 50 times.10Spring Deficient Heat:Back Five LinesSymptoms: Flushed complexion, thirst without desire to drink, dry cough with little phlegm, low fever, red tongue with little coating, five hearts heat. Method: Scrape the back five lines, including the midline of the back (Du Meridian), 1.5 inches to the side of the Du Meridian (first side line of the bladder meridian), and 3 inches to the side of the Du Meridian (second side line of the bladder meridian).
When scraping, apply light pressure and scrape slowly, with longer stimulation time for each area to invigorate the body’s vital energy and restore its functions.Three Colors of Sha and Corresponding ConditionsBright red sha: If the redness is not too deep, it indicates the presence of wind-cold in the body, which is the most normal color. Purple-red or dark red sha: This often indicates damp-heat in the body. Purple-black sha: Indicates severe stagnation in the body. The intensity of the sha marks does not directly correlate with the severity of the illness and will gradually dissipate, so there is no need to worry excessively.Areas to Avoid ScrapingGua Sha is a relatively safe health practice, but there are still many contraindications. Which groups should avoid Gua Sha? Which areas should not be scraped? We need to be aware of these.01Do Not Scrape the Sides of the NeckClinical observations in TCM have found that scraping the neck carries certain risks, especially the sides of the neck should not be scraped lightly! This is because the carotid sinus is located in the middle of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, which is a pressure receptor; if stimulated, it can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure, leading to dizziness and fainting. Continuous stimulation may lead to more serious consequences, especially for those with pre-existing health conditions. Avoid scraping the sides of the neck during Gua Sha, and the same applies to massage.02Contraindicated GroupsPatients with cardiovascular diseases, the elderly, those with skin allergies, leukemia, allergic purpura, thrombocytopenia, cancer, skin inflammation, or those with wounds or scars on the skin, as well as pregnant women and women during menstruation, should avoid Gua Sha. Even healthy individuals should not perform Gua Sha daily. It is essential to allow the body to recover, waiting until the marks from the previous Gua Sha have disappeared before performing it again.Gua Sha Tips1. Hold the scraping board at a 45-degree angle or less to the skin; the flatter the angle, the more comfortable it is to scrape. Do not scrape with a scooping motion. 2. Many people believe that scraping must produce sha, and the more sha, the better. This is incorrect. When a person has a cold, fever, or fatigue, sha is more likely to appear; healthy individuals do not easily produce sha, only reddening of the skin. 3. Scraping should not be done back and forth; instead, scrape from top to bottom and from the inside out, in a single direction, to promote blood circulation. 4. It is advisable to scrape 3 to 5 areas each time, for 3 to 5 minutes per area, not exceeding half an hour in total. 5. Different pressures will yield different effects; light pressure is for “tonifying,” while strong pressure is for “draining.” Most people are unsure of their constitution, so maintain an average pressure, known as “balanced tonification and draining.” Wait 3 to 5 days after the first scraping before performing the second treatment. 6. After Gua Sha, choose warming and sweating-inducing foods, and avoid wind exposure; it is not recommended to bathe within an hour.
