GUA SHA (SCRAPING)

Gua Sha is an ancient healing Traditional Chinese Medicine technique (later utilized by Thai practitioners) that is a natural, alternative therapy that involves creating friction on the skin with a massage tool. This is believed to increase circulation and decrease muscle/joint and chronic pain. Scraping addresses stagnant energy in the body that practitioners believe may be responsible for inflammation. Gua sha is an invigorating technique for muscle and tendon stiffness, for chronic stiffness, respiratory issues and more (less ‘intense’ than fire-cupping but perhaps a ‘stronger’ technique than stand alone massage if pain relief is a goal); a ”scraping tool” to relieve clients of ”excess heat and wind” ”built up in areas of discomfort” (Thai medicine theory). This is done by creating the friction of gliding the tool across the area until there is a release of “Sha”. The release of ”Sha” is immediately visible and often clients will describe a change in how the area feels. When ”Sha” is released, the marks may be barely visible or quite dramatic and have been misunderstood / described as bruising. However, “Sha” surfaces and quickly resolves unlike bruising; similar to cupping, the color of “sha” varies according to the ‘blood stasis in the area being treated’, appearing from a dark blue-black to a light pink. Although the marks may look painful, as with the marks from fire-cupping, they are not. 

TCM practitioners believe the following are benefits of gua sha:

• Decreases Muscle Spasms
• Increases Flexibility & Joint Mobility – Gua Sha is targeted and can reach joints that aren’t as easily accessible otherwise.
• Increases Circulation
• Stimulates the immune system
  • Gua sha activates the immune system encouraging the body to speed up its natural healing process. It is often used when people are immune compromised with a cold or flu to increase the healing process.
• Decreases Aches & Pains
• Gua Sha therapy is known to be anti-inflammatory, reduce muscle tension, and scar tissue from injuries
  • For example, gua sha is great for plantar fasciitis

At the body drift healing arts, before a session, target areas will be agreed upon to address using gua sha. Massage paired with gua sha allows for both relaxation and therapeutic benefits. Post gua sha sessions: be sure to cover up for the following 12 hours if possible; at the very least, keep out of extreme heat, wind, or cold water & shower the following day.