Spring is a season of vitality, with plants sprouting and all things growing.
As Yang Qi rises, many organs in the body accumulate internal heat. When this internal heat dissipates, the body may experience dryness in spring, leading to various discomforts. For those with minor ailments, trying Gua Sha to relieve bodily discomfort may be beneficial.
A Gua Sha board and half an old doctor
Gua Sha health care is actually 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 operate.
1
Common Cold: Dazhui Point
Dazhui Point: Located in the depression below the highest protrusion of the cervical vertebrae, it becomes more prominent when the head is lowered.
Method: Scrape from top to bottom for about 5-10 minutes, until the back of the neck feels warm.
2
Lower Back Pain: Hands + Back
Method: Apply Gua Sha oil to the lower back, then slowly scrape down 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 small amount of Gua Sha oil and scrape slowly from the wrist to the tip of the middle finger.
While scraping, look for areas of pain, nodules, or muscle tension; each scraping session should last 15-30 minutes.
3
Breast Nodules: Scrape Both Breasts
Method: Apply a small amount of moisturizer, then hold the scraping board at a 45-degree angle to the chest, scraping gently from the base of the breast towards the nipple, ensuring comfort, for 5-10 minutes.
Note: Do not scrape the nipple, areola, or any unexplained lumps in the breast.
4
Digestive Issues: Scrape Tianshu Point
Tianshu Point: Located two inches beside the navel.
Common Diarrhea: For mild diarrhea, scrape the Tianshu point counterclockwise, or press the Zhongwan point (4 inches above the navel).
Constipation: Use the scraping board to massage the Tianshu point in a clockwise direction until a warm sensation is felt in the abdomen.
5
Dry Eyes: Scrape Around the Eyes
Method: When the eyes are fatigued, use the scraping board to gently press around the eyes, focusing on Jingming point (inner corner of the eye), Cuanzhu point (eyebrow), Yuyao point (middle of the eyebrow), and Taiyang point (outer corner of the eye), spending 1-2 minutes on each point.
You can also scrape directly around the eye socket to relieve fatigue and improve vision.
6
Fatigue: Baihui Point + Taiyang Point
Baihui Point: Located at the intersection of the midline of the head and the line connecting the tips of both ears.
Taiyang Point: Located in front of the ear, above the outer corner of the eye.
Method:
First, comb the hair from the front hairline back; this will help wake up the mind in the morning.
Second, scrape from the center of the head in all directions, relaxing the entire head around the Baihui point.
Third, scrape forward from the center of the head, backward from the center, and outward from the temples. This promotes blood circulation in the head, clears the mind, and enhances memory.
Note: Scrape or massage lightly whenever possible.
7
Neck and Shoulder Pain: Fengchi Point + Jianjing Point
Fengchi Point: Located on either side of the large muscle at the back of the head, parallel to the earlobes; the two depressions at the back of the head when the head is lowered are this point.
Jianjing Point: Located at the midpoint of the line connecting Dazhui and the acromion, at the highest point of the shoulder.
Method: Scrape down from Fengchi point along the skin to Jianjing point, then scrape from the inside out along the shoulder; scrape 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.
8
Blood Nourishing and Liver Supporting: Xuehai Point + Sanyinjiao Point
Xuehai Point: Bend the knee and cover the kneecap with the palm, fingers pointing up, with the thumb at the fleshy part below.
Sanyinjiao Point: Located on the inner side of the lower leg, 4 finger widths above the ankle joint.
Method: Scrape from the inner side of the lower leg at Xuehai point to Sanyinjiao point, without stopping in between, until the skin turns red and purple bruises form. Regular scraping of Sanyinjiao can nourish blood and support the liver.
Note: For lower limb scraping, start with the outer side, scraping downwards, then the back side (the bladder meridian), and finally the inner side.
9
Spring Excess Heat: Taichong Point + Xingjian Point
Symptoms: Gum pain, sore throat, mouth ulcers, thirst, irritability, yellow urine, dry stools, red tongue with yellow coating.
Xingjian Point: Located between the first and second toes on the dorsal side of the foot.
Neiting Point: Located between the second and third toes on the dorsal side of the foot.
Method: When scraping, use the blunt edge of the scraping board to press on Xingjian and Neiting points for 1-2 minutes each, then scrape upwards (can be combined with Gua Sha oil or massage oil), applying a stronger force within tolerable limits until bruising occurs or scrape 50 times.
10
Spring Deficiency Heat: Scrape the Five Lines on the Back
Symptoms: 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 five lines on the back, including the central Du meridian, the first side line of the bladder meridian 1.5 inches from the Du meridian, and the second side line of the bladder meridian 3 inches from the Du meridian.
When scraping, apply light pressure and scrape slowly, allowing for longer stimulation time on each area to invigorate the body’s vital energy and restore its functions.
Three Colors of Bruises Correspond to Different Conditions
Bright Red Bruises: If the red 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 Bruises: This often indicates internal damp-heat.
Purple-Black Bruises: This indicates significant stagnation in the body. The severity of the bruise does not necessarily correlate with the disease and will gradually dissipate, so there is no need to worry excessively.
Areas Not to Scrape
Gua Sha is a relatively safe health practice, but there are many contraindications. Which groups should avoid Gua Sha? Which areas should not be scraped? We need to be aware of these.
1
Do not scrape the sides of the neck.
Clinical 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. Stimulating 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 poor health.
Avoid scraping the sides of the neck, and the same applies to massage.
2
Contraindicated Groups:
Patients with cardiovascular diseases, the elderly and frail, those with skin allergies, leukemia, allergic purpura, thrombocytopenia, cancer, skin inflammation, or wounds and scars on the skin, as well as pregnant women and women during menstruation, should avoid Gua Sha.
Of course, even healthy individuals should not perform Gua Sha every day. It is essential to allow the body to have a recovery period, waiting until the marks from the last Gua Sha have disappeared before proceeding.
Gua Sha Tips:
1. 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, avoid scraping too hard.
2. Many people believe that scraping must produce marks, and the more marks, the better. However, this is incorrect. When a person has a cold, fever, or fatigue, it is easier to produce marks; healthy individuals may not produce marks, just a reddening of the skin.
3. Scraping should not be done back and forth; instead, scrape from top to bottom and from inside to outside, in a single direction, extending the scraping distance as much as possible. This follows the direction of arterial blood circulation, promoting blood flow.
4. It is advisable to scrape 3-5 areas each time, for 3-5 minutes per area, and not exceed 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 it is best to maintain an average pressure, known as “balanced tonifying and draining.” Wait 3-5 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.
Important Reminder: Due to a major WeChat update, to avoid losing contact, please set “Learning Health Tips” as aStarred⭐, thank you!