Dampness has the greatest impact on the body, encapsulated in the word “blockage”:
Blocked in the scalp – hair loss, oily hair
Blocked on the face – greasy complexion, acne
Blocked in the abdomen – “love handles”, abdominal fat
Blocked in the legs – edema, athlete’s foot
The severity of the body’s “blockage” correlates directly with the severity of dampness.
Identify the Location to Precisely Scrape Away Dampness
To use Gua Sha for dampness removal, an important principle is to accurately locate the “pathogenic factors” – that is, the areas where dampness is retained, and then scrape it away.
This way, the effect of dampness removal will be faster and more noticeable.
① Dampness in the Lungs
1. Oily complexion, no matter how much you wash, it still looks unclean, prone to acne
2. Back acne is also common
3. Frequent feelings of chest tightness, head heaviness
② Dampness in the Spleen and Stomach
1. Easily experiences diarrhea after eating, stools are often unformed and sticky
2. Frequent abdominal bloating, especially noticeable after eating
3. Abdominal fat is more pronounced, feels cool to the touch
③ Dampness in the Kidneys
1. A series of gynecological diseases, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, etc.
2. Increased vaginal discharge in women, yellowish or white in color, often with an odor
3. Some individuals have athlete’s foot, excessive sweating on the soles, and persistent itching
4. Even if not overweight, there is noticeable fat on the legs, especially on the outer thighs
Individuals can determine the accumulation of dampness based on their specific bodily responses.
If there are significant dampness reactions in all three areas, prioritize scraping the area with the most noticeable symptoms – first clear the most blocked area to get the fluids moving, which will make the body feel much lighter.
Upper Jiao Dampness, Focus on Scraping the Shoulders and Neck
Scrape from the Dazhui (大椎) point down towards the Jianjing (肩井) point, reaching the scapula area, where the entire area is a lung reflex zone, and dampness can easily accumulate here.
Scraping here does not require much effort; a gentle scrape will reveal large areas of sha (痧). Although it may look alarming, it is not painful.
Many people who frequently look down at their phones or computers feel a lot of tension in the Jianjing point; scraping here will also produce significant sha due to the cold dampness being blocked.
Middle Jiao Dampness, Focus on Scraping the Spleen and Stomach Reflex Zones
There are two points on the back, one called Pishu (脾腧) and the other Weiyu (胃俞), both located on the Bladder meridian, where dampness from the spleen and stomach is transmitted to the Bladder meridian.
Therefore, whether you have a poor appetite, feel full after eating, or experience immediate diarrhea, if your spleen and stomach are not functioning well, scraping these two points can help clear the dampness and heat blocking the spleen and stomach.
Lower Jiao Dampness, Focus on Scraping the Yaoyang (八髎) Points and Leg Meridians
For those with dampness in the lower jiao, there are two typical characteristics:
One is a tendency to have gynecological inflammation, such as pelvic inflammatory disease, ovarian cysts, uterine fibroids, etc.; the other is thicker thighs and calves, especially noticeable on the outer thighs, which is referred to as “fake wide hips”.
The Spleen meridian runs along the inner side of the legs, adjacent to the Liver meridian, and generally, both points can be scraped together, as the Liver wood overacts on the Spleen earth.
Women often experience liver qi stagnation, which can weaken spleen and stomach function, so scraping both points together can help harmonize the liver and spleen.
Finally, a Reminder for Everyone
Gua Sha Timing
1. For first-time Gua Sha, it is not recommended to scrape for too long, nor should the technique be too forceful,and do not overly pursue the appearance of sha, especially in cooler environments, such as air-conditioned rooms.
2. After each Gua Sha session, if sha appears, wait 7 days before scraping again, or switch to another area for Gua Sha, until the body
3. Gua Sha techniques vary, and different symptoms require different scraping areas. For better results, parents can choose a reputable hospital for professional Gua Sha for their children.
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