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Gua Sha on the Neck
Neck and shoulder discomfort is a “occupational disease” for desk workers. Gua Sha can invigorate blood circulation and relax muscles, improving local blood stasis.
The main routes chosen are three: from the midpoint of the hairline to the Dazhui (大椎) point, and from the upper edges of the two outer corners of the hairline towards the left and right shoulders.
Additionally, Gua Sha on this area during a cold can also help dispel wind and relieve muscle tension.
Gua Sha on the Sternum
Many people experience feelings of chest tightness and shortness of breath after feeling down or fatigued. You can use a single angle Gua Sha tool to slowly scrape the lower half of the sternum from top to bottom.
This area contains the “Qi Meeting” (气会) point, Shanzhong (膻中), which, when stimulated, helps to open the chest and regulate Qi.
Moreover, those who frequently burp can also benefit from regularly scraping this area.
Gua Sha on Hands and Feet
Women often experience cold hands and feet, which TCM believes is mainly related to insufficient Yang Qi or poor circulation of Qi and blood.
It is recommended to first scrape the palms with the flat side of the Gua Sha board until they warm up, then use the grooves of the Gua Sha board to scrape all sides of the fingers from the base to the tips, scraping 5 to 10 times in each direction to promote Qi flow.
The same method can be applied to scrape the feet.
Gua Sha on the Ribs
Anxiety, depression, and irritability, along with long-term mental stress, can lead to dysfunction in the body’s systems.
TCM believes that normal emotional activities depend on the smooth flow of Qi, and the liver can regulate Qi flow, thus helping to balance emotions.
Since the sides of the body are mainly supplied by the liver meridian, scraping this area can help soothe the liver and relieve depression, focusing on the Qimen (期门) point at the intersection of the nipple line and the sixth intercostal space.
When scraping, the movements should be slow, focusing on areas of pain or nodules.
Gua Sha on the Abdomen
Chronic constipation not only affects digestion and absorption but can also lead to toxin absorption in the body.
You can use the flat side of the Gua Sha board to scrape the abdomen from top to bottom, and from left to right in sequence.
It is important to note that if there is any organ prolapse, scraping should be done from bottom to top.
Gua Sha Around the Eyes
Everyone is familiar with eye exercises, and many are well-acquainted with several acupressure points.
Using Gua Sha instead of finger pressure can provide more effective stimulation to the acupoints.
Start by pressing the Jingming (睛明) point with the Gua Sha tool, then use this point as a starting point and scrape from the upper and lower eye sockets towards the outer corners.
This can improve the circulation of Qi and blood around the eyes, alleviating visual fatigue and dryness.
Gua Sha Techniques
Direct Scraping Method
First, use a warm towel to clean the area to be scraped, then apply a corresponding Gua Sha medium to that area. Use the Gua Sha tool to directly contact the patient’s skin, scraping repeatedly until Sha marks appear on the surface of the skin.
Indirect Scraping Method
Place a thin cloth over the area to be scraped, then use the Gua Sha tool to scrape over the cloth. This method is very effective in protecting the skin and is mainly used for children and the elderly.
Pinching Method
This method can be further divided into the Pinch Scraping Method, Squeeze Scraping Method, Pat Scraping Method, and Point Rubbing Method;
Pinch Scraping Method
Also known as the “Pinch Sha” method, it is referred to in folk as “Pinching Nodules”. This involves applying Gua Sha medium to the area to be scraped, then the practitioner bends their fingers, using the middle and index fingers to hook the skin, applying the Gua Sha medium, pinching the skin and muscle, then sliding outward with force and releasing. This is repeated, producing a “popping” sound, and can be done 6-7 times on the same area, resulting in Sha marks and local bruising.
This method requires no tools, just the fingers.
The Pinch Sha therapy is flexible and can be applied to various conditions, such as headaches, fever, and fatigue, making it a very practical self-therapy.
Point Rubbing Method
Use the flat edge of the Gua Sha board to perform large area parallel scraping on the patient’s body.
Use your fingers to apply pressure on specific areas or acupoints while making circular or spiral movements, combining pressure and rubbing techniques.
This method is not classified as Gua Sha but as a massage technique, often used in conjunction with Gua Sha to enhance efficacy and compensate for the limitations of Gua Sha therapy.
In Gua Sha treatment, it is mainly used on the head, face, abdomen, joints, and hands and feet.
Needling Method
This involves using needles to prick the surface of the patient’s body to treat diseases. However, this Gua Sha method should not be attempted at home; it must be performed by a professional to avoid injury.
Before needling, prepare 75% alcohol, disinfecting cotton swabs, and a sterilized three-edged needle or a sewing needle, or a 916 injection needle.
The practitioner first disinfects the local skin with a cotton swab, pinches the skin at the site to be pricked with the left hand, and with the right hand, quickly pierces and lifts outward, pricking each site three times while squeezing out dark purple blood, repeating 5-6 times, and finally cleaning with a disinfecting cotton ball.
Bloodletting Method
This method is suitable for superficial veins in areas such as the elbow pit, popliteal fossa, and temples (this method is difficult and should be performed by professionals).
Also known as the bloodletting therapy, it involves pricking veins or acupoints to draw blood for treatment. This is called the bloodletting method.
During treatment, the patient should be in a comfortable position, fully exposing the treatment area. When bloodletting from a vein, the patient’s left arm should be tied near the heart with a cloth or tourniquet, and the patient should clench their fist. Then, disinfect the skin with iodine cotton balls, followed by 75% alcohol.
Then, needle to draw blood. When drawing blood from acupoints, disinfect the skin and use a three-edged needle or sewing needle to prick directly.
Bloodletting can be divided into blood-letting and puncturing methods. It is similar to the needling method but with stronger stimulation, often used in emergency situations.
This method is mainly applied to the head, neck, back, and temples, and is simple, easy to master, and effective.
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