Gua Sha (scraping)
Gua sha is a traditional Chinese medical treatment. The technique is to scrape the skin to produce light petechiae in order to achieve the promotion of qi-blood circulation, improvement of body immunity and reducing the overheating-effect.
By doing a Gua Sha treatment , an unhealthy physical matter is released from blood stasis in tired, stiff or damaged muscle areas,and stimulating new oxygen-rich blood supply to the areas. As a result, metabolic cell will be repaired and brings regeneration, healing and recovery.
Gua sha is a technique by pressing-stroking repeatedly with a smooth edged and blunt instrument over lubricated skin. Skin is typically lubricated with massage oil or balm. As a scraping tool is commonly a ceramic Chinese soup spoon, or honed animal bones, water buffalo horn, jade or even a simple metal cap with a blunt rounded edge. The smooth edge is placed against the oiled skin surface, pressed down firmly, and then moved down along the pathway of the acupuncture meridians.
In cases of fatigue, a piece of ginger root soaked in rice wine is sometimes used to rub down the spine from top to bottom.
