When you are unsure where to start with Gua Sha, I hope this article can provide some insights. First, regarding tools, after more than a decade of testing various materials such as wood, horn, jade, agate, stainless steel, and plastic, the best results come from pure silver and pure copper Gua Sha boards. Pure silver (999 silver) is well-known, and its advantage over copper is that it is not hard and has a certain flexibility that is hard to describe.The only disadvantage of pure silver is its cost, as the wear on the blade is significant, and a genuine pure silver board can cost around two thousand yuan.
As for copper, it must be made from high-quality new materials. We at Wulou Aixiang use medical-grade brass. It takes only a few minutes for a craftsman to polish a regular copper Gua Sha board, while it takes half an hour to polish ours, as the quality of the blade is crucial, with strict requirements on the angle and sharpness of the blade.
Copper itself has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties, and most importantly, it has inherent penetration and weight, allowing even young children to easily have the copper board penetrate into the meridians and acupoints. Buying one that you don’t lose can last for decades, making it the most cost-effective option.
Those who do not practice will find it harder to apply force and understand the technique, so the tools must be comfortable to use. The pure copper Gua Sha board from Wulou Aixiang can enable beginners to achieve results comparable to those of a ten-year Gua Sha practitioner. 1. Basic Method for Opening the Upper Jiao
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Open the Upper Jiao from Fengchi (Wind Pool) and Fengfu (Wind Palace) to Dazhui (Great Vertebra), Jianjing (Shoulder Well), the back’s Du Mai (Governing Vessel) and Bladder Meridian above the scapula, along with the Lung Meridian. This is because the lungs govern the Qi of the entire body, and the regulation of Qi throughout the body is closely related to the smooth flow of the Lung Meridian.
When performing the Upper Jiao opening method, focus on these acupoints: Fengchi (Wind Pool), Fengfu (Wind Palace) (priority for headaches), Dazhui (Great Vertebra), Dazhu (Major Vertebra) (adjacent to Taodao, an important acupoint for cancer; this area must be opened first if there is a tumor), Jianjing (Shoulder Well) (the area around the major bone is crucial for lung cancer and upper jiao cancers or severe conditions), Gaohuang, Shentang as the main points for scraping or rubbing.
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For the elderly, children, and those with weak constitutions, before opening the five acupoints, first scrape the Heart Meridian, Pericardium Meridian, and Lung Meridian to stabilize the Upper Jiao;
3. Back area for the Liver, Spleen, and Kidney;
4. Terminal Jing points for detoxification: After using the copper Gua Sha board to open the Upper Jiao, begin detoxification from the Neiguan (Inner Pass) / Waiguan (Outer Pass) acupoints down to the fingertips, applying a little oil, with the copper Gua Sha board in contact with the skin surface, applying slight pressure, and using a rotating or back-and-forth rubbing motion on the skin surface repeatedly, scraping slowly and mindfully.
If the pathogenic Qi is heavy, energy will generally be expelled, as seen in the left hand; if there are issues and nothing is expelled, it may indicate that the body temporarily lacks the energy to expel, in which case moxibustion should be performed to accumulate energy, and eventually, it will be expelled. Note that after expelling this black Sha, it must be washed off with copper Gua Sha oil, and water should not be used.
Be sure to scrape the black Sha all the way to the fingertips.
2. Basic Method for Opening the Qi Pathways
Especially for those with Qi stagnation, frequent anger, high stress, chest tightness, and menstrual issues that are blocked, as well as those with a red tongue tip and insomnia due to excessive heart fire, these should all be addressed after opening the Upper Jiao. For those with a weak constitution, it is advisable not to complete it all at once; it can be done in two sessions. Drink some Yuling ointment or similar to tonify Qi and blood before starting.
When it comes to Gua Sha, whether for treatment or conditioning, starting with the basic scraping is half the success.
After this basic scraping, additional areas can be scraped based on the location of the disease and diagnosis.
You don’t need to memorize this; basically, you can see which organ is affected in the front, and the corresponding reflex area on the back is where you can scrape. You can refer to this reflex map.
There are also many who do not know where the organs are located; for example, the liver, lungs, and stomach. You can refer to this map.
This article summarizes Gua Sha treatment plans based on various body parts, organ diseases, and common symptoms. When performing Gua Sha, you can first determine which part of the body has issues, and if necessary, identify the specific disease, then refer to the Gua Sha plan and begin scraping.
1. By Body Part 1. Head: dizziness, headaches, cerebral infarction, post-stroke sequelae, Alzheimer’s disease, brain cancer, dandruff, alopecia, hair loss, etc. Basic method for opening the Upper Jiao; scrape the neck, especially Fengfu, Fengchi, and other areas at the base of the skull and carotid arteries; for the head, especially scrape areas with nodules to produce black Sha;
Sanjiao Meridian; from Jianjing to the shoulder peak;
Below the knee, focus on the Gallbladder, Spleen, and Stomach Meridians, especially Xuanzhong; Foot Linqi, Taichong, and Dihui.2. Eyes: dryness, conjunctivitis, styes, conjunctival hyperemia, myopia, hyperopia, etc. Basic method for opening the Upper Jiao; scrape the neck, especially Tianzhu and carotid arteries; scrape around the eyes; for styes, gently scrape around the center until pus is expelled; focus on the liver area; below the knee, focus on the liver, spleen, and kidney, especially Sanyinjiao and Taixi.3. Mouth: gingivitis, toothache, oral ulcers, oral cancer, etc.Basic method for opening the Upper Jiao; scrape the neck, especially the lymph nodes and arteries in the neck; scrape around the cheeks, behind the ears, and around the mouth where there are pain points or palpable nodules; scrape from the jaw to the front of the neck;
Hand Heart Meridian, Large Intestine Meridian, Quchi, Laogong focus; below the knee, Stomach Meridian.4. Ears: tinnitus, deafness, ear pain, otitis media, etc.Basic method for opening the Upper Jiao; scrape the neck, especially Fengchi, Yifeng, and carotid arteries; scrape around the ears; focus on Jianjing, scraping to the shoulder peak; scrape through the Sanjiao Meridian.5. Nose: rhinitis, pollen allergy, nasal polyps, reduced sense of smell, etc. Basic method for opening the Upper Jiao; Baihui, scrape the neck; scrape from Yintang to the bridge of the nose and both sides of the nose, from Yintang to the temple, focusing on Yingxiang; on the hands, Lung Meridian, Large Intestine Meridian; below the knee, Stomach Meridian.6. Neck and Shoulders: thyroid diseases, pharyngitis, throat diseases, neck stiffness and pain, shoulder periarthritis, etc. Basic method for opening the Upper Jiao; basic method for opening the Qi pathways; scrape the neck; focus on Jianjing, scraping all the way to the shoulder peak; scrape around the shoulder joint; on the hands, Large Intestine Meridian, Quchi; for throat issues, scrape Shizhe, Lieque, Hegu, Shaoshang;
For thyroid issues, scrape Arm, Hand Wuli, Elbow, Quchi;7. Chest: chest pain, chest tightness, cough, asthma, mammary gland hyperplasia, breast tumors, etc. Basic method for opening the Upper Jiao, with a focus on the back lung area and the breast area, which is the entire area around the scapula; do not neglect the clavicular fossa when using the basic method for opening the Qi pathways;
For breast issues, focus on scraping the breast, auxiliary breast, armpit, Daba, Zhangmen; below the knee, Liver, Spleen, and Stomach Meridians; foot Taichong.8. Back: back pain, stiffness, cough, asthma, mammary gland hyperplasia, esophagitis, cholecystitis, pancreatitis, gastritis, stomach pain, diabetes, etc. Basic method for opening the Upper Jiao; scrape the corresponding areas of the five organs on the back, such as the lung area, mammary gland, pancreas, gallbladder, and spleen-stomach area; on the hands, Lung Meridian, Small Intestine, Sanjiao; for pancreas issues, scrape below the rib arch, three inches above the navel; on the feet, Liver, Gallbladder, Stomach Meridians, etc., choose the focus based on symptoms; for stomach pain, scrape Zusanli, Shangjuxu; Weizhong.9. Waist: lumbar pain, lumbar muscle strain, old lumbar injuries, nephritis, kidney stones.Basic method for opening the Upper Jiao, basic method for opening the Qi pathways; scrape the lumbar and sacral areas; including the hips and Huantiao;
Focus on the popliteal fossa, Weizhong, and Yingu; Gongsun, Taibai, Fuliu, Taixi; Houxi, points for lumbar pain.10. Buttocks: pain, coldness, sciatica, dysmenorrhea, metrorrhagia, ovarian cysts, adnexitis, cervicitis, vaginitis, infertility, and other gynecological issues, prostatitis, prostatic hyperplasia, infertility, etc.Basic method for opening the Upper Jiao; scrape the buttocks, focusing on areas with nodules; scrape both sides of the hips, Chengfu, and groin; on the legs, Bladder Meridian, Zusanli; on the calves, the three Yin Meridians, especially Sanyinjiao; Gongsun, Taibai, Taichong.11. Upper Limbs: numbness in fingers, numbness in arms, pain in fingers, pain in arms, tendinitis, tennis elbow, etc.For lateral numbness, use the basic method for opening the Upper Jiao; for medial numbness, use the basic method for opening the Upper Jiao plus the Qi pathway method; on the hands, the three Yin and three Yang Meridians; focus on the painful areas and their corresponding meridians; scrape carefully around the joints; scrape to the fingertips. The elbow and knee correspond, scrape the pain points at the corresponding points. The wrist and ankle correspond, scrape the pain points at the corresponding points on the ankle.12. Lower Limbs: pain, knee arthritis, varicose veins, thromboangiitis obliterans, etc. Basic method for opening the Upper Jiao, basic method for opening the Qi pathways; the three Yang and three Yin Meridians of the feet; focus on the painful areas and their corresponding meridians; scrape the groin and hips; scrape carefully around the joints; for varicose veins, scrape from the bottom up; scrape the calves to the tips of the toes.13. Skin: eczema, urticaria, psoriasis, etc.Focus on the Lung Meridian, Large Intestine Meridian, Quchi, Hegu; Spleen Meridian, Stomach Meridian, Xuehai, Yinlingquan, Sanyinjiao; avoid scraping over raised moles, melanomas, etc.; scrape directly on the affected skin. 2. By Organ Disease Classification
1. Liver fatty liver, various types of hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, liver cancer, hypertension, emotional issues related to liver Qi stagnation.
Basic method for opening the Upper Jiao plus the back reflex area for the liver; focus on the main airway for the Qi pathway; scrape through the back liver-gallbladder area; scrape down to the ribs; on the legs, Gallbladder Meridian; below the knee, the three Yin Meridians; for ascites, scrape the three emperors: Yinlingquan, Diji, Sanyinjiao. Taichong, Foot Linqi, Dihui.2. Heart: high blood lipids, hypertension, low blood pressure, arrhythmia, myocarditis, myocardial infarction, etc.Basic method for opening the Upper Jiao; basic method for opening the Qi pathways; on the hands, the three Yin and three Yang Meridians; scrape the neck; when scraping the back to open the Upper Jiao, focus on the heart and lung areas; on the legs, Liver and Gallbladder Meridians; below the knee, Stomach Meridian; on the feet, Taichong, Foot Linqi, Dihui.3. Lung, SpleenRefer to the “Chest” and “Back” Gua Sha content.4. Kidney: acute and chronic nephritis, IgA nephropathy, kidney stones, kidney failure, lumbar pain, etc.Basic method for opening the Upper Jiao; basic method for opening the Qi pathways plus the groin. The hypothalamus reflex area on the head; scrape the neck; scrape through the back kidney area, focusing on the area below the 8th thoracic vertebra; scrape through Huatuo’s Jiaji; scrape the back of the knee, Yingu; Taixi, Fuliu to tonify kidney Qi, Shenmai, Zhaohai to tonify overall Qi;
Gongsun, Taibai to strengthen the spleen;below the knee for detoxification.
3. By Common Symptoms
1. Cancer: lung cancer, breast cancer, stomach cancer, liver cancer, colon cancer, etc.Basic method for opening the Upper Jiao; basic method for opening the Qi pathways; on the hands, the three Yin and three Yang Meridians; scrape through the projection areas of each organ on the back; scrape the three bones: spine, clavicle, tibia; Taixi, Fuliu to tonify kidney Qi; the three roots and the root-cutting acupoints
The root-cutting acupoint is for cutting off all roots of disease, especially the roots of cancer, similar to the principle of cutting grass at the roots. Of course, different types of cancer have different corresponding points, such as the Pi-gen acupoint located three inches outside the 13th vertebra. There are also Shimen acupoints, which are important for treating cancer, especially for the lymphatic and thyroid systems of the Sanjiao. Major bone points are also selected for specific cancers.
Cancer patients often have weak constitutions and fluctuating conditions, and the reactions to expelling disease can be quite intense, requiring skilled techniques for careful treatment. Those who are not sincere or trustworthy should not be treated.2. Constipation: whether it is functional constipation with no bowel movement or uncomfortable, or obstructive constipation with no bowel movement and bloating.Basic method for opening the Upper Jiao; on the hands, Large Intestine Meridian, Sanjiao Meridian, focus on Quchi, Hegu, and Zhigou; Tianshu, Shangjuxu, Xingjian.3. ObesityBasic method for opening the Upper Jiao; the Qi pathway method must scrape below the ribs; scrape the local areas of obesity; Qimen, Zhangmen, Da Mai; scrape the arms; scrape through the legs, focusing on the Gallbladder Meridian; scrape through the calves, especially Zusanli, Fenglong, Sanyinjiao.4. Gynecological and Andrological DiseasesUse the “Buttocks” Gua Sha plan;
On the hands, the three Yin Meridians, Sanjiao Meridian; Jingmen, Da Mai, Eight Sacral Points;
Scrape all the way below the ribs; below the knee, the three Yin Meridians.5. Ascites and Other EdemasBasic method for opening the Upper Jiao; basic method for opening the Qi pathways, scrape below the knee; scrape the three emperors: Yinlingquan, Diji, Sanyinjiao.6. HypertensionBasic method for opening the Upper Jiao; basic method for opening the Qi pathways; scrape the neck; on the hands, Sanjiao Meridian, Quchi, Laogong; focus on the back liver area; scrape through the lumbar and hip areas; on the legs, Liver and Gallbladder Meridians; scrape the three emperors, Dihui; Taichong.7. Spinal Misalignment and ScoliosisBasic method for opening the Upper Jiao; basic method for opening the Qi pathways, scrape through Huatuo’s Jiaji; find muscle knots near the misalignment, and scrape along the direction of the knots to soften them.
Huatuo’s Jiaji points: located on the back, at the sides of the spinous processes from the first thoracic vertebra to the fifth lumbar vertebra, 0.5 inches lateral to the midline.
If there is pain at Huatuo’s Jiaji points, moxibustion or acupuncture at Zusanli + Foot Linqi can cure it. Other acupoints are ineffective.
8. InsomniaBasic method for opening the Upper Jiao; basic method for opening the Qi pathways; Heart Meridian, Pericardium Meridian, Sanjiao Meridian; liver area, spleen area below the knee, Stomach Meridian, Gallbladder Meridian.
9. DiabetesBasic method for opening the Upper Jiao; basic method for opening the Qi pathways, scrape below the ribs, and on the back, pancreas area; on the calves, Yin Meridian; scrape the three emperors: Yinlingquan, Diji, Sanyinjiao; for excessive eating, add Neiting; for thirst and dryness, add Jiexi and Fuliu;10. GoutBasic method for opening the Upper Jiao; basic method for opening the Qi pathways; on the hands, Sanjiao Meridian, Quchi, Shizhe;
Scrape through the Lung, Liver, Spleen, and Kidney areas; scrape through the lumbar and sacral areas; scrape through below the knees, detoxifying;
Scrape from the periphery towards the center repeatedly.11. HemorrhoidsBasic method for opening the Upper Jiao; Baihui; on the hands, Lung Meridian, Large Intestine Meridian; scrape through the buttocks; focus on Changqiang, Chengshan, Erbai, Zhi Yin acupoints. Conclusion: When it comes to Gua Sha, please at least remember the following formula: Basic Gua Sha Plan = Basic Method for Opening the Upper Jiao + Basic Method for Opening the Qi Pathways + Scraping of the Problematic Areas, Back Shu Points, Organ Projection Areas, and Meridians.
Regarding the abnormal tastes in Gua Sha, a summary is as follows:
Regarding the colors of Sha, a summary is as follows:
Regarding the area and color of Sha corresponding to the severity of disease, generally, the smaller the area, the more severe the condition, and the darker the color, the more severe the condition. Normally, the color should become lighter with scraping. If the color does not lighten after scraping, it may indicate Qi and blood deficiency, and the body cannot be stimulated too frequently.
Additionally, during Gua Sha on the affected organ areas, especially in the corresponding reflex areas on the back, the shape of the corresponding organ should not appear; if it does, it indicates that there is a problem with that organ, or a significant issue may arise, requiring special attention to conditioning and protection. For example, if the shape of the heart appears in the heart reflex area on the back, it indicates a significant heart issue at a young age.
For organs with nodules or tumors, it is normal to see the corresponding Sha of that organ in the corresponding area or reflex area. Apply slight pressure with the copper board to penetrate the skin; do not scrape too hard or too fast; slow and steady pressure is crucial to achieve the Sha of that organ.
The area and color of Sha correspond to the severity of disease. It should become lighter and smaller, which is normal.
Finally, a gentle reminder:
1. Because “moxibustion supplements the weak” and “Gua Sha and cupping treat the strong,” those with particularly weak bodies should be cautious with Gua Sha, cupping, or acupuncture. For example, those with low platelet counts, anemia, bleeding disorders, skin ulcerations, or pale tongues are not advised to undergo Gua Sha or cupping without professional guidance.
Unless it is due to blockage causing weakness, the duration of Gua Sha and cupping should not be too long, and one should act according to their capacity. The areas mentioned above do not need to be completed in one session; some may require multiple sessions.
2. If Gua Sha produces heavy Sha, generally do not perform moxibustion on the same day, so it is recommended to perform moxibustion before Gua Sha, as this opens the pores and facilitates the expulsion of Sha and pathogenic Qi.
3. Those with weak constitutions should drink some Qi and blood tonics before and after Gua Sha or cupping, with Yuling ointment being the top recommendation for good absorption and to help with the expulsion of disease without fatigue. Additionally, water and liquids can promote metabolism and circulation in the body.
4. If Gua Sha covers a large area, it is best not to engage in sexual activity on the same day. After Gua Sha, it is a period of detoxification, and the diet should be light and easy to digest, avoiding overly greasy foods.
5. If there is significant pain after Gua Sha or if cupping causes a large bump that does not subside for a long time, it indicates slow circulation in the body. You can gently massage the affected area with the palm at Laogong acupoint. If the pain persists severely the next day, moxibustion can be performed to promote circulation and metabolism, aiding in the reduction of Sha.
6. If heavy Sha appears on the day of Gua Sha, it should subside by the next day, and ideally, it should be completely gone within three days, indicating good Qi and blood circulation. If it does not subside for several days and changes to purple, blue, or yellow, it indicates slow circulation.
7. Generally, Gua Sha should not be performed during menstruation, unless treating certain gynecological diseases. During Gua Sha, one should avoid exposure to cold air or wind, and it is best to set the air conditioning to above 27-28 degrees Celsius, ensuring that the air conditioning does not blow directly on the body.
8. After Gua Sha, be sure to dress warmly; the areas scraped should not be exposed to wind, and cold drinks should be avoided on the same day. If the Sha is not heavy, one can shower four hours after Gua Sha; if the Sha is heavy, it is best to wait until the next evening to shower. It is preferable to shower after Gua Sha.
There may be areas not covered in this article; I hope this serves as a starting point for further discussion and welcome any corrections or additions.