Gua Sha is one of the traditional natural therapies in China, based on the TCM theory of the skin. It involves scraping the skin with tools (such as horn, jade, or cupping) on relevant areas to achieve the goals of unblocking meridians and promoting blood circulation. Gua Sha can expand capillaries, increase sweat gland secretion, and enhance blood circulation. Regular Gua Sha can help adjust the flow of Qi, relieve fatigue, and boost immune function. The copper Gua Sha we refer to uses the Hu Fu copper tool, made of brass, which is primarily used for adjusting Qi, mobilizing the movement of Qi and blood in the body, expelling pathogens from the surface, and allowing diseases to exit from the interior to the exterior. When Qi reaches the affected area, it becomes effective, facilitating self-dissolving of stagnation and activating self-healing abilities.
Characteristics of Copper Gua Sha:
1. Special Material: The Hu Fu copper plate is made of brass, which resonates very well with the human body.
2. Scraping Raises Temperature: The temperature of the scraped area increases, and the Qi entering the meridians is also warmed.
3. Resolving Stagnation: Cold causes accumulation, while heat disperses it. The increased temperature of the Qi entering the meridians helps resolve stagnation.
4. Stronger Energy: The copper plate rotates and grinds on acupoints, and the Qi entering the meridians also rotates, providing strong penetration, which helps Qi reach further.
5. Easy Penetration: The effectiveness of Gua Sha depends on the depth of Qi penetration; rotating Qi is more easily able to reach the organs.
Advantages of Copper Gua Sha Treatment
1. The Hu Fu copper Gua Sha primarily adjusts Qi, mobilizing the movement of Qi and blood in the body, creating, adjusting, promoting, waiting for, obtaining, guarding, and discerning Qi, and expelling pathogens from the surface.
2. Diseases exit from the interior to the exterior through self-dissolving of stagnation, activating self-healing abilities. When Qi reaches the affected area, it becomes effective for treating various ailments.
3. Simple operation and wide applicability make it easier for the general public to accept.
4. Suitable for the treatment and preventive healthcare of chronic diseases.
5. Long-term Gua Sha can enhance physical constitution.
Common Gua Sha Areas in Clinical Practice
1. Neck and Shoulder Area: Gua Sha in the neck and shoulder area primarily targets neck and shoulder strain caused by long hours of desk work. It can promote blood circulation and relieve local Qi and blood stagnation. The main scraping lines are as follows: from the midpoint of the hairline to the Dazhui (大椎) acupoint, and scraping from the upper outer corners of the hairline towards the left and right shoulders.
2. Back Gua Sha: Back Gua Sha is mainly performed along the Bladder Meridian (膀胱经) and Governing Vessel (督脉) from top to bottom, primarily to dispel wind, scatter cold, and clear heat and dampness.
3. Limb Gua Sha: Limb Gua Sha focuses on local scraping and meridian scraping to promote Qi flow and unblock the meridians.
4. Chest Gua Sha: Chest Gua Sha primarily targets feelings of chest tightness and shortness of breath after emotional distress or fatigue. A Gua Sha tool can be used to scrape slowly from the upper to the lower part of the sternum. This area includes the “Qi Meeting” (气会) acupoint, Shanzhong (膻中), which can help to open the chest and regulate Qi.
Indications for Hu Fu Copper Gua Sha
1. Internal Diseases: Common cold, pneumonia, gastritis, gout, hypertension, etc.;
2. Orthopedic Diseases: Cervical spondylosis, shoulder periarthritis, lumbar muscle strain, rheumatism, rheumatoid arthritis, and various degenerative diseases;
3. Breast Diseases: Mastitis, hyperplasia, fibroids, etc.; various difficult and miscellaneous diseases;
4. Neurological Diseases: Sequelae of stroke, etc.
Contraindications for Copper Gua Sha
1. Severe cardiovascular diseases, liver and kidney dysfunction, bleeding tendency diseases, infectious diseases, extreme weakness, skin lesions, and skin allergies are contraindicated for scraping;
2. Acute sprains and strains, skin swelling and ulceration;
3. Excessive hunger or fullness, excessive fatigue; individuals who are intoxicated, mentally unstable, or unable to cooperate due to convulsions should not undergo Gua Sha;
4. Pregnant women should avoid Gua Sha on the abdomen and lower back.
Precautions Before and After Gua Sha
1. Do not drink alcohol within 24 hours before and after Gua Sha.
2. Maintain a light diet after scraping the entire back.
3. Avoid bathing for four hours after Gua Sha on the scraped area, avoid wind exposure, and refrain from consuming cold and raw foods, as well as limiting fruits and seafood.
Puyang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Puyang County Hospital
(Puyang County Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital)
New Hospital Area
Consultation Phone: 0393-3212727
Emergency Phone: 0393-3221120
18539335120
18539336120
Bus Special Line: From the South Passenger Station to the County TCM Hospital
Address: 1000 meters east of Poshui Town, northwest corner of the intersection of Dishi Avenue (South Second Ring) and Industrial Road
Click the map for navigation
Puyang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Puyang County Hospital
(Puyang County Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital)
Old Hospital Area
Consultation Phone
General Ward: 0393–3280908
TCM Gynecology: 0393–3275937
Rehabilitation Department: 0393–3275936
Address: East Section of Party School Street, Chengguan Town, Puyang County
Click the map for navigation
General Planning: Liu Mingshan
Chief Editor: Wang Ruifeng
Editorial Review: Lü Yanrui
Contributed by: Cao Yuanqing
Reviewed by: Jia Junli
Typesetting: Fang Wenjing
Proofreading: Liu Jibang
Puyang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Puyang County Hospital
Puyang County Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital
Follow us
Focus on public health