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The shoulder and neck area serves as a bridge connecting the head and trunk, bearing the communication of blood vessels, nerves, and meridians throughout the body. Therefore, the health of the shoulder and neck directly impacts the overall health of the body. By using Gua Sha to clear the meridians in the shoulder and neck area, not only can it treat shoulder-related ailments, but it can also significantly improve facial conditions.
Gua Sha Techniques for the Shoulder and Neck
Choose a sitting or prone position, expose the neck and shoulder area for scraping, and clean with a warm towel.
Neck Gua Sha
Sitting Gua Sha Technique for the Neck:
First, apply a scraping medium (Gua Sha oil) evenly on the neck, and use the flat side of the Gua Sha board to rub the skin until a warm sensation is felt. The person receiving the treatment must relax.
Next, start scraping from the center of the neck, using a water buffalo horn Gua Sha board, scraping from the Fengfu (Wind Mansion) point down to the Taodao (Pathway) point below the Dazhui (Great Vertebra); scrape down from the Tianzhu (Heavenly Pillar) points on both sides of the Yamen (Mute Gate) to the Fengmen (Wind Gate) point. The Gua Sha board should be held at a 45-degree angle, scraping evenly and consistently, gradually increasing from light to moderate pressure. Throughout the Gua Sha process, the board should exert a penetrating force into the skin, with each scraping line receiving 15-30 strokes.
Finally, scrape from the Fengchi (Wind Pool) points on both sides down to the Jianjing (Shoulder Well) point, using point pressure and kneading techniques on the Fengchi and Jianjing points. The neck should always be scraped with light pressure, with 15-30 strokes.
Shoulder Gua Sha
Prone Position Gua Sha for the Neck
Have the patient place their forehead in the recess of the bed, lying face down on the Gua Sha table, keeping the neck flexed to fully expose the skin of the neck and shoulders. The practitioner should sit directly in front of the patient.
Start scraping from the Fengfu point at the center of the hairline towards the Tao Dao point at the first thoracic vertebra, then scrape down the Tianzhu points on both sides to the Fengmen point, using light scraping techniques, with each area receiving 15-20 strokes.
After scraping, move from the depressions on both sides of the hairline at the Fengchi points to the Jianjing point in the center of the shoulders, scraping each side 15-20 times with light pressure. The Fengchi and Jianjing points can be treated with point pressure and kneading techniques.
Specific Techniques for Back Gua Sha
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) believes that the Shu points along the bladder meridian on both sides of the spine are where the vital energy and blood of the internal organs are infused. Stimulating the back Shu points directly regulates the essence and energy of the five internal organs. Modern medicine recognizes that the spine is not only the support of the body but also the bridge connecting the spinal nerves to the brain, limbs, and internal organs. The nerve distribution of various body parts almost all originates from the sides of the spine. Based on the distribution of nerves and the characteristics of meridian points, Gua Sha can clear the meridians, dispel evil heat, and enhance the body’s resistance. It can not only expel wind and release heat but also regulate the overall function of the body.
Illustration of Back Gua Sha
The procedure is as follows:
(1) Start with the Governing Vessel:Using one corner of a square Gua Sha board, hold the board at a 45-degree angle to the skin, scraping from top to bottom (Dazhui to Sacrum), repeating each motion 5-8 times until petechiae appear.
(2) Use the corner of the Gua Sha board to scrape the meridians adjacent to the Huatuo Jiaji points along the Governing Vessel.
(3) Use one corner of the square Gua Sha board to scrape along the scapular seams, keeping the board close to the skin with balanced pressure.
(4) Scrape the Bladder Meridian:First scrape the outer bladder meridian, then the inner bladder meridian. (The inner bladder meridian is located 1.5 inches from the spine on both sides, while the outer bladder meridian is located 3 inches from the spine on both sides.)
(5) Scrape diagonally down the rib spaces:Scrape five to six rib spaces (do not scrape directly on the ribs), starting from the Governing Vessel and scraping down to the ribs.
Each scraping area should not aim for excessive petechiae; it is sufficient for the hair follicles to open. During the back Gua Sha process, since the back is a large reflex area, petechiae may appear in the scraped areas, indicating potential issues with corresponding organ functions or meridians.
Chest Gua Sha Techniques
Gua Sha can treat many diseases and has various effects such as promoting blood circulation and removing stasis. However, due to the different areas of Gua Sha, the techniques required for each area also differ. In daily life, many people are accustomed to only scraping the back, which can lead to an imbalance of Yin and Yang in the body over time. Therefore, while supplementing Yang, it is also necessary to scrape the chest and abdomen to replenish Yin.
Chest Gua Sha Techniques
Chest Gua Sha
The order of operations for chest Gua Sha starts with scraping the Ren Meridian (the center), scraping down to the lowest part of the sternum using a single-foot scraping method; then avoiding the nipples, scrape horizontally on both sides.
When performing chest Gua Sha, the angle of contact between the scraping board and the body surface should be small, resulting in relatively less pressure; an angle of 45° is preferable, with light pressure. The patient should be in a supine position, and the practitioner should be positioned on either side of the patient.
(1) The practitioner applies a small amount of medium to the surface of the patient’s sternum, holding the Gua Sha board in the right hand, scraping from top to bottom along the Ren Meridian on the sternum, scraping a few extra times at the Shanzhong (Middle of the Chest) point to promote Qi, stopping at the Shangwan (Upper Stomach) point, until local petechiae appear.
(2) Gently press and knead the Tiantu (Heavenly Prominence) point with the corner of the scraping board (when pressing the Tiantu point, use light pressure, as this area is deep and contains the trachea; excessive force may cause coughing or even suffocation).
(3) Using the patient’s sternum as the midline, the practitioner scrapes horizontally on both sides along the ribs, ensuring the entire scraping board is in close contact with the ribs, maintaining a small angle. When passing over the nipples (not suitable for nursing women), avoid scraping, until the local skin is slightly red.
Note:During chest Gua Sha, the angle of contact between the scraping board and the body surface should not be too large; the larger the angle, the greater the pressure. The chest houses the heart and lungs, and excessive pressure may affect and damage their functions. Patients with severe heart and lung diseases should not undergo this treatment.
Chest Gua Sha can improve conditions such as breast hyperplasia and poor blood circulation in the chest, and it can also have beneficial effects on the treatment and prevention of the heart, lungs, liver, gallbladder, spleen, and stomach.
Precautions for Chest Gua Sha
In addition to scraping vertically in the center, the rib area of the chest should be scraped horizontally (the chest is where the ribs are located; generally, Gua Sha is scraped from top to bottom, but in the chest, only the center is scraped from top to bottom, while other areas are scraped horizontally. Although the meridians are vertical, scraping vertically would feel like rubbing on a washboard for thin individuals, which can be uncomfortable. Therefore, the rib areas of the chest should be scraped horizontally.
If the person is thin, the pressure should be light. If the scraping is too forceful or prolonged, it may cause damage to the periosteum.
When scraping horizontally, it should be done over a large area. The scraping board has a certain width, and the area of contact with the skin is equal to the width of the board. Do not use the corners to scrape along the rib grooves, as this may cause rib damage.
The time spent scraping the rib area should not be too long. Generally, scraping should continue until the hair follicles are slightly open; excessive scraping may cause damage to the periosteum.
Do not scrape the nipple area.
Specific Techniques for Gua Sha on the Limbs
Gua Sha on the limbs can not only help with the general concept of “unblocking the meridians and activating collaterals” but can also target specific meridians for therapeutic purposes. Below are illustrated methods commonly used for unblocking the meridians in the limbs.
Arm Gua Sha Sequence Diagram
Step 1:Apply Gua Sha oil to the inner and outer sides of the limbs, starting with the upper limbs: scrape the inner side of the arms from top to bottom, passing through the Hand Taiyin Lung Meridian, Hand Jueyin Pericardium Meridian, and Hand Shaoyin Heart Meridian. Then scrape the outer side of the upper limbs from top to bottom, passing through the Hand Yangming Large Intestine Meridian, Hand Shaoyang Sanjiao Meridian, and Hand Taiyang Small Intestine Meridian.
Leg Gua Sha Diagram
Step 2:For the lower limbs, start by scraping the knee points: first, use the edge of the scraping board to press the knee points from the inside out, pressing deeply first, then scraping outward. Then scrape the back of the knee joint, focusing on the Weizhong (Middle of the We) point.
Inner Thigh Gua Sha Sequence Diagram
Step 3:Scrape the inner side of the lower limbs from top to bottom, passing through the Foot Taiyin Spleen Meridian, Foot Jueyin Liver Meridian, and Foot Shaoyin Kidney Meridian (focusing on acupoints such as Xuehai, Ququan, Yinlingquan, Xiguan, and Yingu).
Outer Thigh Gua Sha Sequence Diagram
Step 4:Scrape the outer side of the lower limbs from top to bottom, passing through the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian (Futu, Liangqiu, Dubi, Zusanli), Foot Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian (Xiyangguan, Yanglingquan), and Foot Taiyang Bladder Meridian (Yinmen, Fuxie, Weizhong, Weiyang, Heyang, etc.).
Precautions for Limb Gua Sha
1. The knee joint should be scraped using the edges of the Gua Sha board, especially for those who are weak or have muscle atrophy.
2. When scraping the limbs, try to extend the strokes; avoid scraping over unknown lumps, infections, bone injuries, bruises, moles, or broken skin.
3. For patients with varicose veins or edema in the lower limbs, scrape from the bottom up, changing the direction of scraping.
Copyright Statement:This article is sourced from the Hall of TCM Techniques, recommended for publication by Yunnan TCM, copyright belongs to the original author.
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