Gua Sha & Tuina

Gua sha translates to scraping, specifically gua meaning scrape and sha meaning sand (1). The sand is referring to the petechiae or bruising that may be left over that has a sand like appearance. Even though scraping may be a literal translation it can be a really comfortable relaxing treatment. This method has been used for thousands of years in many different indigenous cultures (1).

There is not a single tool used in gua sha but often can be a smooth stone, spoon or even a coin. In order to help bring pathogens to the service and move qi and blood gua sha is often used. From a biomedical standpoint gua sha serves to encourage lymph and blood flow to certain areas of the body. Using this treatment method can be done on many different parts of the body whether it’s sore muscles, chronic pain, a common cold/flu, allergies, fibromyalgia or for a facial treatment (1).

As for sports injuries or chronic pain the influx of blood to the area will encourage the injury to heal at a faster rate (1). Finally, when using gua sha to “bring pathogens to the surface” this can encourage the body to not get sicker from ailments such as the flu. For facial treatments the encouragement of blood flow and removal of stagnant qi (think of this as energy) helps encourage a fuller brighter complexion that can look lifted and contoured (2).

In Chinese medicine this is referred to as releasing the exterior and gua sha is a great tool for this. After your gua sha treatments the “sha” may be visible for 3-5 days. This often comes in the form of petechiae that is anywhere from red to purple. This is normal and can tell us as practitioners a lot about your ailment.

References

1. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550830707001772?via%3Dihub
2. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jocd.15421

At the beginning there was a Chinese body work known as “Anmo” meaning press and rub. However, by the 5th century as the method evolved and now required a doctoral degree to practice it became Tuina (push and hold) during the Tang dynasty.

Tuina is a method of body work in which tissue is manipulated. Some of the movements are slow and involved rolling and plucking with the hands while others may seem fast using techniques known as shaking. Overall the experience of tuina should be enjoyable and alleviate the body quickly. (1)

The movement of the body and movement of the tissue can increase healing by working out stagnations. Tuina can be used not just to treat the physical but the mental as well (1). Overall Tuina treatments are popular for sports injuries, chronic pains, stiff neck, insomnia, allergies and more (1). Pediatric Tuina is also beneficial for constipation (2), allergic rhinitis (3) and diarrhea.

References

1. 1. Chengnan, S. (1993). Chinese bodywork: A Complete Manual of Chinese Therapeutic Massage.
   2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/33407547/
   3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/36452352/