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Spring is a season of vitality, with plants sprouting and everything growing.
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As Yang energy rises, many organs in the body accumulate internal heat, which can lead to dryness in spring and various discomforts.
During this time, when most people are staying at home to prevent illness, trying Gua Sha can help alleviate bodily discomfort.
A Gua Sha board and half an old doctor
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 operate.
1Common Cold: Dazhui (Great Vertebra) Point
Dazhui (大椎穴): Located in the depression below the highest protrusion of the cervical vertebrae, more noticeable when the head is lowered.
Method: Scrape from top to bottom for about 5-10 minutes until the back of the neck feels warm.
2Lower Back Pain: Hands + Back
Method: First apply Gua Sha oil on the lower back, then slowly scrape down 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 slowly from the wrist to the tip of the middle finger.
While scraping, look for areas of pain, nodules, or muscle tension, scraping for 15-30 minutes each time.
3Breast Nodules: Scraping Both Breasts
Method: Apply a little moisturizer, then hold the Gua Sha board at a 45-degree angle to the chest, scraping gently from the base of the breast towards the nipple, with a comfortable pressure, for 5-10 minutes.
Note: Do not scrape the nipple, areola, or any unexplained lumps in the breast.
4Digestive Issues: Scraping Tianshu (Heavenly Pivot)
Tianshu (天枢穴): Located two inches beside the navel.
For Common Diarrhea: For mild diarrhea, use the Gua Sha board to rub the Tianshu point counterclockwise, or press the Zhongwan (中脘穴) point (4 inches above the navel).
For Constipation: Use the Gua Sha board to rub the Tianshu point in a clockwise direction until a warm sensation is felt in the abdomen.
5Dry Eyes: Scraping Around the Eyes
Method: When the eyes are fatigued, use the Gua Sha board to gently press around the eyes, including Jingming (睛明穴) (inner corner), Cuanzhu (攒竹穴) (eyebrow), Yuyao (鱼腰穴) (middle of the eyebrow), and Taiyang (太阳穴) (outer corner), for 1-2 minutes each.
You can also scrape around the eye socket directly to relieve fatigue and improve vision.
6Fatigue: Baihui (Hundred Meetings) Point + Taiyang (Sun) Point
Baihui (百会穴): Located at the intersection of the midline of the head and the line connecting the tips of both ears.
Taiyang (太阳穴): Located in front of the ear, above the extension line of the outer corner of the eye.
Method:
First, comb the hair from the front hairline back with a comb; 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 from the center of the head forward, backward, and on both sides towards the Taiyang point. This promotes blood circulation in the head, clears the mind, and enhances memory.
Note: Scrape or massage lightly whenever possible.
7Neck and Shoulder Pain: Fengchi (Wind Pool) Point + Jianjing (Shoulder Well) Point
Fengchi (风池穴): Located on both sides of the large muscle at the back of the head, parallel to the earlobe; the two depressions at the back of the head when the head is lowered are this point.
Jianjing (肩井穴): Located at the midpoint of the line connecting Dazhui and the acromion, at the highest point of the shoulder.
Method: Scrape Fengchi from top to bottom along the skin until reaching Jianjing, then scrape from the inside out along the shoulder, with 30 strokes on fleshy areas and 20 strokes on bony areas.
Note: Adjust the angle with the wrist and move the forearm to guide the Gua Sha board.
8Blood Nourishment and Liver Support: Xuehai (Blood Sea) Point + Sanyinjiao (Three Yin Intersection) Point
Xuehai (血海穴): Bend the knee and cover the kneecap with the palm, fingers pointing up, with the thumb at the fleshiest part below.
Sanyinjiao (三阴交): Located on the inner side of the lower leg, 4 fingerbreadths above the ankle joint.
Method: Scrape from the inner side of the lower leg at Xuehai to Sanyinjiao, without stopping in between, until the skin turns red and purple petechiae form. Regular scraping of Sanyinjiao can nourish blood and support the liver.
Note: For lower limb Gua Sha, start with the outer side, scraping downwards, then the back (bladder meridian area), and finally the inner side.
9Spring Excess Heat: Taichong (Great Surge) Point + Xingjian (Moving Between) Point
Symptoms: Gum pain, sore throat, mouth ulcers, thirst, irritability, yellow urine, dry stools, red tongue with yellow coating.
Xingjian (行间穴): Located on the dorsum of the foot, between the first and second toes.
Neiting (内庭穴): Located on the dorsum of the foot, between the second and third toes.
Method: When scraping, use the blunt edge of the Gua Sha board to press on Xingjian and Neiting for 1-2 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 Deficiency Heat: Scraping 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 feeling hot.
Method: Scrape the five lines on the back, including the midline of the back (Du Meridian) and 1.5 inches to the side of the Du Meridian, which is the first lateral line of the bladder meridian, and 3 inches to the side, which is the second lateral line of the bladder meridian.
When scraping, apply light pressure and scrape slowly, with longer stimulation time for each stroke, to invigorate the body’s vital energy and restore its functions.
3 Types of Petechiae Colors Corresponding to Different Conditions
Bright Petechiae:If the red is not very deep, it indicates the presence of wind-cold in the body, which is the most normal color.
Petechiae in Purple-Red or Dark Red:This usually indicates internal damp-heat.
Black-Purple Petechiae:This indicates severe stagnation in the body. The severity of petechiae does not completely 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 still many contraindications. Which groups should avoid Gua Sha? Which areas should not be scraped? We need to know.
1Do Not Scrape the Sides of the Neck
Clinical observations in TCM have found that scraping the neck carries certain risks, especially do not scrape the sides of the neck lightly!
This is because the middle part of the sternocleidomastoid muscle contains the carotid sinus, 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 who are already in poor health.
When scraping, avoid the sides of the neck, and the same applies to massage.
2Contraindicated Groups
Patients with cardiovascular diseases, the elderly and frail, 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.
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 Gua Sha board at a 45-degree angle or less to the skin; the flatter the scraping, the more comfortable it is; do not scrape aggressively.
2. Many people believe that Gua Sha must produce petechiae, and the more petechiae, the better. Teacher Yang points out that this is incorrect. When a person has a cold, fever, or fatigue, it is easier to produce petechiae; healthy individuals do not easily produce petechiae, only skin redness.
3. Gua Sha 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 to promote blood flow.
4. It is advisable to scrape 3-5 areas each time, for 3-5 minutes per area, not exceeding half an hour.
5. Different pressures will produce different effects; light pressure is “tonifying,” while strong pressure is “draining.” Most people do not know whether their constitution is deficient or excess, so it is best to maintain an average pressure, known as “balanced tonification 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; it is not recommended to bathe within an hour.
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