Gua Sha Treatments
The term “gua” means “scraping” or “to scrape”, and “sha” is the term used to describe the patchy redness of the skin that may occur after the treatment that has been carried out. Gua Sha is the name of the instrument that is used during the treatment. This therapy can be performed on its own or it can be used in conjunction with another form of massage. Another name for this therapy is “spooning”. The most common scraping instrument that is used is a buffalo horn, which has a very smooth comb-like shape – without the teeth. The Gua Sha, or instrument, is used because the hands alone may not be enough to dispel heat, increase oxygen to the area, and stimulate blood flow in the way that the Gua Sha can. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the buffalo horn has cold properties, and it is therefore effective in helping to dispel heat from the body.
What is Gua Sha Massage used for?
Gua Sha massage can be used for many things. It is useful for treating muscle aches and pains. Because it dispels heat from the body, it can treat heatstroke, sunstroke, dizziness, and chills. It is also able to help prevent or stop colds before they start.
The Process of Gua Sha Massage
The Gua Sha massage is a series of firm strokes made by the instrument in a downward motion only. The instrument is drawn across the skin where an injury or imbalance is, and a distinctive reddening of the skin, known as “Sha”, is observed. This reddening is a good response and brings an immediate and lasting benefit of reducing inflammation, coldness, tightness, and pain from the superficial and deeper layers of the body. The treatment is used from the head down, starting at the neck before going to the chest, back, shoulders and arms, legs, and down to the ankles. However in massage, Gua Sha treatment is often used to treat old or chronic injuries and is commonly only used to address areas of the body rather than the whole body. The instrument is used more lightly on areas that are not as strong, and more heavily on areas that are stronger and thicker-skinned. The therapy is not a painful one at all, as the reddening of the skin is simply the heat and toxins coming to the surface. However, the therapy should not be undertaken by people that are suffering from sunburn or that have excessive skin disorders.
30 min $60 | 60 min $100 |
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