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The Gua Sha therapy has a long history and is deeply rooted in tradition. Gua Sha, also known as Bian Fa, is one of the six major techniques of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) treatment. The six techniques are Bian (Gua Sha), Zhen (Acupuncture), Jiu (Moxibustion), Yao (Herbs), An Qiao (Tui Na), and Dao Yin (Guiding Exercises), with Bian being the foremost technique, highlighting its importance and frequent application.
Professor Zhang Xiuqin from the Chinese Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine has, through years of clinical practice and dedicated research, unraveled the mystery of “Sha”. She has absorbed the essence of folk Gua Sha methods and integrated new medical theories, exploring the connection between the skin on the body surface and internal organs using meridian theory and biological holographic theory. She has summarized the corresponding positioning rules of the skin and visceral organs, innovating the “Holographic Gua Sha Method”. Recently, a reporter specifically interviewed Professor Zhang to discuss the knowledge of using the “Holographic Gua Sha Method” to diagnose sub-health conditions.
1
What are the characteristics of the Holographic Gua Sha Method?
Professor Zhang explained that the Holographic Gua Sha Method is a third-generation Gua Sha technique guided by biological holographic theory, developed through extensive clinical practice of meridian Gua Sha methods.
By selecting scraping areas based on biological holographic theory, stimulating different regions of various organs can achieve therapeutic and health-preserving effects. Additionally, during the scraping process, the positive reactions and the appearance of Sha can indicate the location and extent of internal organ health damage.
The Holographic Gua Sha Method increases the areas for Gua Sha treatment and prevention. Due to the strong correspondence between the scraping areas and the disease locations, the therapeutic effects are significant. Because the treatment area is small and the scraping time is short, it is particularly suitable for patients who are weak and cannot undergo large-area meridian Gua Sha.
Scraping is mainly performed on areas such as the head, hands, and feet, allowing treatment without the need to undress, making Gua Sha therapy more convenient. If there are painful areas, skin diseases, or if the Sha has not dissipated, scraping can be performed on the opposite side or other holographic acupoints, which is very convenient.
More importantly, since there are many available scraping areas, if the Sha in one area has not dissipated, another corresponding holographic acupoint can be scraped. This resolves the issue of difficulty in continuous Gua Sha therapy. If meridian Gua Sha and holographic Gua Sha are combined and used interchangeably based on the condition, frequently changing the scraping areas can enhance the body’s sensitivity to Gua Sha, thereby increasing efficacy.
The birth of the Holographic Gua Sha Method enriches the content of Gua Sha therapy and further expands its clinical application scope, developing Gua Sha therapy into a TCM external treatment method that integrates prevention, health care, diagnosis, and treatment.
Simple scraping of areas such as the head, face, hands, feet, and spine can diagnose overall health, detect potential pathological changes early, and understand the trend of health development. Scraping these areas can also have therapeutic and health-preserving effects on visceral organs.
Common diseases that often trouble people and are prone to recurrence, such as painful diseases, visceral disorders, and neurological dysfunctions, can achieve rapid effects using Gua Sha therapy. Health-preserving Gua Sha can enhance the body’s self-regulation ability, disease resistance, and recovery capacity. Gua Sha can also beautify the skin, whiten, and remove spots without leaving Sha marks.
Modern people have an increasingly strong health-preserving concept, not only hoping for effective treatment methods when ill but also needing effective prevention methods when not sick. The Holographic Meridian Gua Sha Method is indeed a good method that can treat existing diseases and prevent and manage sub-health (i.e., pre-disease) conditions. Below, we will mainly discuss the issue of diagnosing sub-health through Gua Sha.
2
How to diagnose sub-health through Gua Sha?
Professor Zhang stated that the human body in a sub-health state does not show diseases but may exhibit reduced vitality, responsiveness, and adaptability, along with lowered immunity. Prolonged sub-health status is often a latent period for certain chronic diseases, representing a state trending towards illness.
Sub-health symptoms vary from person to person and can manifest in various ways, indicating that the visceral organs in each individual are different in sub-health. Identifying the specific areas of sub-health is key to improving it. Modern medicine has confirmed that microcirculation disorders are early pathological changes leading to sub-health and disease.
3
How to determine the areas of sub-health?
Professor Zhang told the reporter that Sha marks and positive reactions are both manifestations of microcirculation disorders, and the locations of these manifestations indicate where the qi and blood flow in the meridians is obstructed, leading to sub-health or disease. For example, if a meridian shows Sha marks or positive reactions, it indicates that the visceral organs connected to that meridian have sub-health or disease changes. This method can even accurately determine the areas of sub-health or disease when the body shows no symptoms.
For instance, Sha marks or positive reactions in the Bladder Meridian at the back, particularly at the Heart Shu (Xin Yu) and Heart Meridian in the upper limbs, indicate poor qi and blood circulation in the heart; Sha marks or positive reactions in the Bladder Meridian at the back, particularly at the Stomach Shu (Wei Yu) and Stomach Meridian in the lower limbs, indicate poor qi and blood circulation in the stomach; Sha marks or positive reactions in specific visceral organ areas, such as the spinal corresponding area or body surface projection area, indicate poor qi and blood circulation in that organ.
Pressing the 2nd Metacarpal Radial Acupoint Group can help identify and differentiate the visceral organs causing pain:
Heart acupoint sensitivity indicates the problem is in the heart, while Stomach acupoint sensitivity indicates the problem is in the stomach.
Sometimes, the shape of the Sha marks can reflect the location and nature of the lesions. For example, in cases of mammary gland hyperplasia, the shape of the Sha marks in the corresponding area on the back indicates the location and nature of the mammary gland hyperplasia in the chest. Uniform Sha marks suggest diffuse hyperplasia, while linear or round Sha marks suggest the hyperplasia is linear or nodular.
In cases of bone and joint diseases, rapid appearance of Sha marks during scraping indicates that the lesion is mostly muscle damage. If there is pain or positive reactions in bone and joint diseases but few Sha marks appear, it indicates that the lesions are deep, located in tendons, ligaments, or bones.
4
How to diagnose the causes and nature of sub-health?
Professor Zhang responded that for the same symptoms, if scraping produces Sha marks quickly and abundantly, it indicates a condition of qi and blood stagnation; if it is slow and sparse, it indicates a condition of qi and blood deficiency. If cold air is emitted from the scraped area after Gua Sha, it often indicates that the meridians or tissues are deficient in blood and oxygen due to cold evil, which is a long-standing cold condition; if the skin feels warm and comfortable after scraping, it indicates smooth qi and blood flow in the meridians or tissues.
Bright red and shiny Sha marks indicate strong righteous qi, often associated with heat conditions or acute inflammation. Purple-red, blue-purple, or black-blue Sha marks indicate blood stasis due to poor circulation. Blue-purple or black-blue Sha marks indicate a combination of blood stasis and cold conditions, also suggesting deficiency of righteous qi. Dense, dull Sha marks indicate weak righteous qi and chronic conditions.
Symptoms may present, but if Sha marks appear slowly and sparsely, or if the pores are open but no Sha marks appear, it is often seen in qi and blood deficiency conditions, cold conditions, or lesions deep in bones, tendons, or ligaments.
During scraping, if pain reactions occur under the scraping board, different types of pain reflect different causes.
Soreness indicates qi and blood deficiency.
Distension indicates qi stagnation or obstruction.
Stabbing pain indicates blood stasis.
If positive reactions occur without pain, it suggests that although the qi and blood in the meridians have been imbalanced for a long time, there are currently no symptoms; if accompanied by pain, it indicates that although the imbalance has persisted for a long time, there is still inflammation or symptoms present locally.
The various diagnosed conditions can be treated effectively using the Holographic Gua Sha Method.
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Holographic Gua Sha for the Twelve Parts of the Human Body—A Good Method to Improve Constitution
The Holographic Acupoint Gua Sha is a fourth-generation Gua Sha method. It integrates the advantages of meridians, holography, acupoints, and special acupoints, and summarizes TCM dialectics as: treating upper diseases from below, treating left diseases from the right, treating sick from healthy, treating visceral diseases from fu diseases (and vice versa), treating internal diseases externally, and treating the same meridian (or organ) together, guiding Gua Sha therapy, often achieving remarkable effects in clinical practice.
Below are the twelve parts of the human body for Holographic Acupoint Gua Sha for readers’ reference.
Holographic Acupoint Gua Sha for the Twelve Parts of the Human Body
1. Neck and Back
1. Neck Area: From both sides of Fengchi (Wind Pool) to both sides of Jianjing (Shoulder Well) (left first, then right), from Fengfu (Wind Palace) to Dazhui (Great Vertebra).
Indications: Mental disorders, hoarseness, throat diseases, eye diseases, head and neck diseases. This area is particularly effective for dizziness and vomiting.
2. Back Area: From the horizontal line of Dazhui to the horizontal line of Zhi Yang.
Indications: All lung diseases, heart diseases. The left scapula area is particularly effective for heart conditions, while the right scapula is effective for cholecystitis; also effective for wind-cold colds. The scapula area is effective for cold conditions.
2. Neck and Chest Area
1. Neck Area (Pinching Gua Sha): From both sides of Renying (Ren Meeting) to Jue Pen (Cleft of the Chest), and from Lianquan (Lian Spring) to Tiantu (Heavenly Prominence) in the middle.
Indications: Tongue, throat, hoarseness, asthma, esophagus, neck diseases. This area is particularly effective for chronic pharyngitis and thyroid disorders.
2. Chest Area: From the horizontal line of Tiantu to the horizontal line of Jiuwei (Crest of the Chest), scraping from the Ren Meridian as the centerline to both sides (women scrape from outside to inside).
Indications: Chest diseases, all lung and heart diseases. Particularly effective for mammary gland hyperplasia and menstrual irregularities.
3. Lumbar and Sacral Area
From the horizontal line of Zhi Yang to the horizontal line of Yaoyang.
Indications: Liver, gallbladder, spleen, stomach, kidney, bladder, large intestine, small intestine, perineum, and belt diseases. The Eight Liao acupoint area is particularly effective for male and female reproductive health.
4. Abdominal and Lower Abdominal Area
(For acupoint diagrams, please refer to the above Ren Meridian diagram in the neck and chest section)
1. Abdominal Area: From Jiuwei to Shenque (Spirit Gate), to both sides of the Dai Mai (Belt Meridian). Scrape from top to bottom and from inside to outside.
Indications: Liver, gallbladder, spleen, and stomach diseases.
2. Lower Abdominal Area: From Shenque to Zhongji (Middle Pole), to both sides of the Dai Mai. Scrape from top to bottom and from inside to outside.
Indications: Menstrual issues, leukorrhea, perineum, bladder, and intestinal diseases.
5. Axillary Area
From the Jiquan (Extreme Spring) of the Heart Meridian to the Dai Mai (Belt Meridian) (equivalent to the skin area under the armpit of the Gallbladder Meridian).
Indications: Heart, liver, gallbladder, spleen, lymphatic system, chest, and belt diseases. The Jiquan area (armpit) is particularly effective for heart conditions.
6. Arm San Yang Meridian (Lateral) Area
1. Upper Arm Lateral Area: Skin area of the San Jiao Meridian, Large Intestine Meridian, and Small Intestine Meridian on the upper arm.
Indications: Shoulder, arm, and elbow lateral diseases, large intestine, and small intestine diseases.
2. Lower Arm Lateral Area: Skin area of the San Jiao Meridian, Large Intestine Meridian, and Small Intestine Meridian on the lower arm.
Indications: Head, eyes, nose, mouth, teeth, throat, ribs, shoulder blades, mental disorders, and febrile diseases.
7. Arm San Yin Meridian (Medial) Area
1. Upper Arm Medial Area: Skin area of the Pericardium Meridian, Heart Meridian, and Lung Meridian on the upper arm.
Indications: Inner elbow diseases; heart, pericardium, and lung diseases.
2. Lower Arm Medial Area: Skin area of the Pericardium Meridian, Heart Meridian, and Lung Meridian on the lower arm.
Indications: Chest, lung, heart, throat, and mental disorders.
8. Hip Area
From the horizontal line of the iliac spine to the Chengfu (Support the Buttocks) acupoint, to both sides of the Huantiao (Jumping Circle) acupoint.
Indications: Sciatica, enteritis, constipation, cystitis, urethritis, urinary retention, and orchitis. This area is particularly effective for male and female reproductive health.
9. Leg Yangming Stomach Meridian Skin Area
1. Thigh Area: From the Stomach Meridian Bi Guan (Thigh Joint) to He Ding (Crane’s Top). From Du Bi (Knee Joint) to Jie Xi (Stream of the River).
Indications: Leg and knee diseases, mental disorders, stomach diseases, febrile diseases, throat issues, frontal headaches, and toothaches.
2. Knee Area: Knee (Gua Sha).
Indications: All knee diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and joint effusion.
3. Calf Area: From Du Bi to Jie Xi.
Indications: Gastrointestinal diseases and calf disorders.
10. Leg Bladder Meridian Skin Area
1. Back of the Thigh: From Chengfu to Weizhong (Middle of the Knee).
Indications: Buttocks, back of the head, back, perineum, and buttock diseases.
2. Weizhong Area: Around the Weizhong acupoint (Gua Sha).
Indications: Low back pain, rheumatoid arthritis, sciatica, gastrocnemius muscle cramps, gout, and joint effusion.
This area is particularly effective for hemorrhoids.
3. Back of the Calf: From Weizhong to Kunlun (Kunlun Mountain).
Indications: Low back pain and perineum diseases.
11. Leg San Yin Meridian Skin Area
1. Inner Thigh Area: From the Liver Meridian Ji Mai (Urgent Pulse) to the Knee Meridian (Knee Joint).
Indications: Belt diseases, gynecological (or andrological) diseases, urinary, and perineum diseases.
2. From the Knee Meridian to the Kidney Meridian Tai Xi (Supreme Stream).
Indications: Belt diseases, spleen and stomach issues, urinary, and perineum diseases.
12. Leg Shaoyang Gallbladder Meridian Skin Area
1. Outer Thigh Area: From Huantiao to Yangguan (Yang Pass).
Indications: Lumbar, knee, and hip joint diseases.
2. From Yangguan to Xuan Zhong (Suspended Bell).
Indications: Chest, ribs, neck, eyes, and lateral head diseases.