Guasha - Chinese healing massage

Pain in the body is often a sign of blockages in the blood and the vital energy, Qi. Gua Sha enhances the entire energy flow in the body, removes blockages and stagnation, and stimulates the healing processes. It activates the body's protective mechanisms and aids in detoxification.

GUA SHA "scraping away everything bad" ”Gua" - scrape; "Sha" – bad, disease.
The term "Gua Sha" literally means "scraping away disease." "Gua" translates to scrape, and "Sha" to bad or disease. To effectively remove these negative elements from the body, a special scraper made of jade, BianStone, or horn is used. Different body areas, typically the back and neck, are treated with this tool, focusing on various reflexology zones, body meridians, and groups of reflexive acupressure points. Sometimes, the therapy is also applied to the head and face.

This therapy is grounded in the principles of Chinese medicine, specifically the concept of meridians. Meridians are the energy channels through which the vital energy, Qi, circulates in the body, nourishing the organs and corresponding areas. Each of the 12 primary meridians has a complex system of branches that provide energy to the respective internal organs. The points where meridians reach the surface of the skin are known as energetic, acupressure, or acupuncture points.

How Gua Sha Works?
The massage, or "scraping," is performed with movements in one direction, typically from top to bottom, following blood circulation. These movements are repeated several times. The technique includes three basic methods:

SE-gua – Quick movements with strong pressure to disperse and eliminate excess negative energy.
Boo-gua – Slow movements with light pressure for toning and reduction massage.
Pin-Bu Ping-SE - Slow movements with strong pressure, combining the previous two techniques.

Let’s dive into the roots. Originating from the ancient healing traditions of China, Gua Sha has been a cornerstone of Eastern medicine for over 2000 years. "Gua" means to scrape, and "Sha" refers to the red or purple marks that can appear on the skin after treatment. Don’t freak out – these marks are a sign of the body releasing stagnation and toxins, a process known to Chinese healers as "Sha" removal.

The origins of Gua Sha can be traced back to the Paleolithic Age when people used stones and other tools to rub parts of their bodies in an attempt to alleviate pain and disease. Over centuries, this practice evolved and became more refined, eventually becoming a staple in traditional Chinese medicine. It was used to treat a variety of ailments, from fever to muscle pain, and was a go-to method for promoting overall health and longevity.

Ancient texts and historical records show that Gua Sha was widely practiced during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). It was seen as a preventative measure against illness and a way to maintain balance within the body. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners believed that illness was caused by stagnant energy, or "Qi," and that Gua Sha could help release this stagnation, allowing the body to heal naturally.

What does Gua Sha cure?

• Pain and stiffness in the back and muscles, shoulder pain, neck pain, pain and stiffness in the legs, lower back pain and joint diseases;
• Digestive issues
• Colds and coughs
• Fatigue, accumulated stress, insomnia, headaches
• Disorders of the secretion system
• Weak immunity

What are the benefits of Gua Sha?

Now, let’s get to the good stuff. Gua Sha isn’t just about scraping the skin; it’s about unlocking your body’s natural healing powers. 

• Pain Relief: Gua Sha effectively reduces chronic pain, whether it’s in your back, neck, or joints. Promoting blood flow and reducing inflammation alleviates discomfort and enhances mobility.
  
  
• Improved Circulation: The scraping action stimulates microcirculation of the soft tissue, increasing blood flow and oxygen supply to muscles and organs. This improved circulation helps to nourish the tissues and promote healing.
  
  
• Detoxification: Gua Sha helps your body detoxify naturally by breaking up stagnation and promoting the removal of toxins. This can lead to clearer skin, improved organ function, and general well-being.
  
  
• Stress Reduction: The gentle yet firm strokes of Gua Sha have a calming effect on the nervous system, reducing stress and promoting relaxation. It can help lower cortisol levels and increase endorphins, the body’s natural "feel-good" hormones.
  
  
• Enhanced Immune Function: Regular Gua Sha treatments can boost your immune system, helping you ward off illness and maintain optimal health—the increased circulation and lymphatic drainage help to support the body’s natural defense mechanisms.
  
  
• Headache and Migraine Relief: Gua Sha can provide significant relief for those suffering from chronic headaches or migraines. By releasing tension and improving blood flow, it helps to alleviate the pain and frequency of headaches.
  
  
• Improved Sleep Quality: Many people find that regular Gua Sha treatments help to improve their sleep quality. The relaxation and stress reduction benefits make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep, leading to more restful nights.
  
  
• Digestive Health: Gua Sha can also support digestive health by stimulating the abdominal area. This can help to improve digestion, reduce bloating, and alleviate symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders.

During the massage, you might feel tingling or numbness in the treated area and may experience discomfort in problematic zones. A slight crunching sound, resembling the crunching of sand, may be heard – this indicates the release of toxins, known in Chinese as "at the threshold of Sha." Although the massage is not painful, the treated areas may become red, and these areas might turn purple or develop red spots known as Sha spots. These reactions occur because the blood circulation in these areas is impaired, and there is energy stagnation, indicating the healing process has begun. These post-massage conditions typically disappear within 2-3 days.

You’ll notice how you feel – lighter, more energized, and incredibly relaxed. It’s as if a weight has been lifted off your shoulders, and you’re left with a profound sense of well-being.

Here’s the kicker – Gua Sha isn’t just for those with chronic pain or specific ailments. It’s for anyone wanting to feel better, move more freely, and live healthier, happier lives. Whether you’re dealing with the stresses of daily life, recovering from an injury, or simply seeking a path to better health, Gua Sha offers unparalleled benefits.

Post-Massage Care

After your Gua Sha session, it is recommended to drink warm water for the next 48 hours to help your body purge and remove toxins. During the Gua Sha treatment period, it is advisable to avoid taking medications.

Gua Sha is usually applied once or twice a week, typically when the redness from the previous session has subsided. A full treatment includes 10 to 20 sessions and is recommended twice a year.

If you decide to trust us with your Gua Sha therapy, you’ll experience a unique and ancient healing practice and embark on a journey toward better health and well-being. Book your session today and let the power of Gua Sha transform your life.

During the massage, the client might feel tingling or numbness in the treated area and experience some discomfort in the problematic zones. If a sound like a slight crunch, resembling the crunching of sand, appears at the time of the massage, this sound is called by the Chinese “at the threshold of Sha,” which means that the release of toxic substances has started. Although the massage is not painful, the treated areas become reddish after it is applied. These areas might become purple, or some red spots might appear, such as the so-called Sha spots, bruises, and minor capillary damage, which appear because blood circulation is impaired. There is energy stagnation, which means the healing process has already started. The skin reaction after the massage should not worry the client since these post-massage conditions disappear in 2-3 days after the massage.

If you decide to trust us and benefit from the Guasha massage, after applying the massage, you should drink warm water during the next 48 hours since it helps the body purge and remove toxins from the body.

During the Guasha procedures, it is advisable not to take medicines.

Guasha is applied once or twice weekly, usually when the redness of the skin from the previous procedure has gone away. The treatment includes 10 to 20 procedures. It is recommended that the therapy be applied twice per year.