Women's Interests

Does Gua Sha Work?

You’ve in all probability seen movies on social media of individuals displaying off their taunt jaw strains and completely sculpted cheekbones praising a small heart-shaped rock. You’re in all probability skeptical of stated heart-shaped rock. And that’s a superb factor — you possibly can’t imagine all the things you see on the web.

However analysis reveals gua sha, a therapeutic massage method utilizing a smooth-edge software, might have well being advantages and cut back irritation within the physique (assume: puffiness within the face). It simply might not be the dramatic transformation we’re all hoping for.

Learn: Face Yoga 101 >>

Right here’s what it is advisable know in regards to the historical therapeutic massage method everyone seems to be speaking about.

What’s gua sha?

Gua sha (pronounced “gwah-sha”) is a kind of therapeutic massage that makes use of a smooth-edged software to assist promote circulation, therapeutic and cut back irritation.

Gua sha is a type of conventional Chinese language medication. The concept is that your vitality must stream freely. In case your vitality is caught, the tool-assisted therapeutic massage can assist free the stream by gently scraping (making use of regular stress) in a single path.

Gua sha can be utilized on the physique and the face. For the physique, gua sha is often carried out by a technician or an acupuncture specialist. The method causes petechiae, small crimson dots in your pores and skin from bleeding blood vessels underneath the pores and skin, and may trigger bruising. This sounds a bit scary however the course of shouldn’t damage (for those who’re delicate to stress, you possibly can speak to the technician about that) and any pores and skin modifications ought to go away after a couple of days.

Gua sha remedy for the face is gentler and also you shouldn’t see any crimson dots or bruising (for those who do, which means you’ve used an excessive amount of stress). Most individuals can DIY gua sha as a part of a magnificence routine at house.

What are the well being advantages of gua sha?

Analysis is ongoing in regards to the well being advantages of gua sha, however research present that it might assist ease signs of well being situations. These can embody:

  • Continual ache
  • Headache assault
  • Neck ache
  • Again ache
  • Arthritis
  • Fibromyalgia
  • Breast fullness after giving beginning

One research discovered individuals in perimenopause had a discount in signs, together with scorching flashes, insomnia and fatigue in comparison with individuals who didn’t have gua sha remedy.

Who shouldn’t use gua sha

Most individuals shouldn’t have an issue with gua sha. However you need to speak to your healthcare supplier earlier than you strive gua sha when you have circulation issues, take blood thinner medicines or have well being situations, corresponding to diabetes.

Learn how to use gua sha

The DIY model of gua sha is totally different to your face and your physique.

  • Face gua sha: After you discover your software, begin by spreading a couple of drops of oil in your face so it should glide over your pores and skin. Most workouts begin towards the center of your face. Relying on the realm you’re engaged on, you’ll gently scrape the software throughout your pores and skin in a single path upward and/or outward (not forwards and backwards or in circles. Don’t get fancy.). Bear in mind, you don’t need to apply an excessive amount of stress. The lighter the higher.
  • Physique gua sha: Like gua sha to your face, begin by including oil to the pores and skin you’re going to therapeutic massage. Scrape the smooth-edged software over the pores and skin utilizing lengthy, upward strokes (towards the guts) and a superb quantity of stress to stimulate blood stream to the realm.

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