Gua Sha (Scraping)
1. What is scraping treatment?
Scraping or "Gua Sha" treatment is a form of TCM natural therapy based on the theory of meridians, one of the most important Chinese medical theories. It involves benign non-invasive stimulation to the body.
"Gua" means to rub or cause friction while "Sha" is a reddish, elevated skin rash which reflects the pathological changes on the skin itselft after scraping.
2. What are the benefits of doing scraping?
Scraping or "Gua Sha" promotes normal circulation of blood and energy to muscles and organs thus helping to dissipate blood stasis. The treatment also strengthens the function of heart and lung, expels wind, relieves swelling and boosts the body's immunity. Normal metabolic processes are restored by the movement of fluids as nutrients are carried to the tissues while metabolic wastes are channeled out.
"Gua Sha" treatment also helps to release muscle tightness, pain and constricion.Many people experience a significant release of muscular tension, decreasing stiffness and increasing mobility after treatment. It is also used to treat and prevent the common cold, influenza, bronchitis as well as chronic disrders that involve pain and congestion of the "Qi" and blood.
3.What happens during scraping?
Depending on the patient's condition, liquid Chinese medicine is something applied onto the painful areas or acupoints to stimulate blood circulation within the body before the actual scraping or "Gua Sha" treatment begins. The attending physician will then scrape the skin from top to bottom according to the direction of blood flow. This is done by applying friction in repeated even strokes on the skin over the area where muscles are tense or tight.
Bruises(red or purple spots) will appear in the applied areas and usually fade off and disappear within 2-4 days. Such stimulation can promote blood circulation, remove stagnation and dispel toxins from the body, which relieves pain. it does not actually cause mechanical damage to originally intact skin.
It is recommended that patient drinks a cup of warm water after treatment to replenish their bodily fluids. The exact duration for the treatment may differ as determined by the complexity or severity of a patient's conditions as well as their treatment needs.
4. What conditions are suitable for scraping?
Scraping is suitable for conditions such as:
5. Who should not undergo scraping treatment?
Those with conditions such as:
Scraping or "Gua Sha" treatment is a form of TCM natural therapy based on the theory of meridians, one of the most important Chinese medical theories. It involves benign non-invasive stimulation to the body.
"Gua" means to rub or cause friction while "Sha" is a reddish, elevated skin rash which reflects the pathological changes on the skin itselft after scraping.
2. What are the benefits of doing scraping?
Scraping or "Gua Sha" promotes normal circulation of blood and energy to muscles and organs thus helping to dissipate blood stasis. The treatment also strengthens the function of heart and lung, expels wind, relieves swelling and boosts the body's immunity. Normal metabolic processes are restored by the movement of fluids as nutrients are carried to the tissues while metabolic wastes are channeled out.
"Gua Sha" treatment also helps to release muscle tightness, pain and constricion.Many people experience a significant release of muscular tension, decreasing stiffness and increasing mobility after treatment. It is also used to treat and prevent the common cold, influenza, bronchitis as well as chronic disrders that involve pain and congestion of the "Qi" and blood.
3.What happens during scraping?
Depending on the patient's condition, liquid Chinese medicine is something applied onto the painful areas or acupoints to stimulate blood circulation within the body before the actual scraping or "Gua Sha" treatment begins. The attending physician will then scrape the skin from top to bottom according to the direction of blood flow. This is done by applying friction in repeated even strokes on the skin over the area where muscles are tense or tight.
Bruises(red or purple spots) will appear in the applied areas and usually fade off and disappear within 2-4 days. Such stimulation can promote blood circulation, remove stagnation and dispel toxins from the body, which relieves pain. it does not actually cause mechanical damage to originally intact skin.
It is recommended that patient drinks a cup of warm water after treatment to replenish their bodily fluids. The exact duration for the treatment may differ as determined by the complexity or severity of a patient's conditions as well as their treatment needs.
4. What conditions are suitable for scraping?
Scraping is suitable for conditions such as:
- Back, neck, leg & shoulder pain
- Fever
- Feminine conditions such as menstruation pain & irregular period
- General health & well-being
5. Who should not undergo scraping treatment?
Those with conditions such as:
- Health conditions that require surgery
- Heart diseases/conditions
- Damaged or burnt skin
- Diabetes Mellitus
