The Potential Advantages of a Gua Sha Facial

1. The Potential Advantages of a Gua Sha Facial Gua Sha Facial is one thing that is not in doubt. Although it might seem like something from a late-night commercial, scraping the muscles has been practised for years and offers a number of advantages. Tim Sobo, LAc, a licensed acupuncturist, explains what gua sha is in this video and provides advice on how to make the procedure both pleasant and unnerving. In other words, could you help define gua sha? Gua sha began as traditional Chinese medicine in China (TCM). According to TCM concepts, qi (pronounced "chi"), or energy, is considered to require to flow freely throughout the body for optimum health. It is believed that when qi becomes stagnant in some areas, health problems could develop. In gua sha, the practitioner (typically an acupuncturist) scrapes the patient's skin to improve blood flow and speed the healing process in areas of inflammation or stagnant qi. Most acupuncturists will employ gua sha as a standard treatment strategy. It can be roughly translated as scraping, rubbing, or pressing. Gua sha is "basically just a tool-assisted form of massage," according to Sobo. Gua sha's differences from the Graston Technique Physical therapists may at times employ muscle scraping to stretch and relax muscles or scar tissue. Although it is comparable to gua sha, the Graston Technique® is the name given to it more frequently. In 1990, a recreational athlete named David Graston introduced Gua Sha Facial to the United States. Sobo asserts that despite gua sha's higher relationship with qi, the two methods of scraping muscles are roughly similar. The traditional Chinese massage technique known as gua sha has been rebranded as the Graston Technique. Graston is unique in that it is only administered by physical therapists. The method will only ever be discussed in terms of anatomical or physiological ideas. A highly conventional acupuncturist will concentrate on enhancing blood and qi flow as well as clearing any obstructions in your energy system. However, both treatments have the same final result. Do acupuncturists frequently use gua sha during sessions? Sobo clarifies by stating that although gua sha is taught to acupuncturists, it is not typically used in treatments. This may be due to the acupuncturist's personal preferences or the fact that it is inappropriate for the body parts being treated. But if you're interested in experiencing gua sha, just mention it to the receptionist when you book your appointment. How agonizing is gua sha? Because the Gua Sha Facial involves "scraping," you might shudder at the thought of doing it to yourself. Your body won't be scraped by a practitioner like a car windscreen in the depth of winter. Despite being

2. typically gentle, the severity of a treatment may change based on the type of knots your acupuncturist discovers. Sobo explains the procedure to us. Gua sha is performed with perfectly circular blades. They won't stab, cut, or pinch you and cause you harm. When you are comfortable enough to begin, the acupuncturist will massage the treatment area while applying a calming cream or lotion to the area. An acupuncturist won't immediately use their maximal pressure when stimulating a location. In order to enhance blood flow and loosen the tightness in particular areas, they will focus on the knots of tension and work on them gently at first before applying more pressure. Amount of Gua Sha Treatment with gua sha is supposed to help a variety of health problems. Sobo advises gua sha for musculoskeletal problems, especially in more severe ones such persistent shoulder, leg, and back pain. It can help with a number of diseases, including edema, neck pain, migraines, and headaches. Sobo goes on to suggest that gua sha may help with the symptoms of worry, tiredness, insomnia, and the per menopause when paired with acupuncture. We feel better just by helping qi to flow freely throughout the body. Your circulation and nerve communication are being improved so that your body can operate correctly. Gua sha is intended to relieve your current symptoms. That is the overall picture, at least. In addition, he adds, "We examine a wide spectrum of illnesses with gua sha, acupuncture, and TCM. Blockages in the passage of energy and blood can cause muscle knots, tightness, weakness, and discomfort. Gua sha enhances blood flow and electrical transmission in the body's tissues when used in conjunction with acupuncture, which increases homeostasis. The Health Benefits of Gua Sha Sobo asserts that the particular tissues being worked on determine the efficiency of gua sha for the body. The first step in reducing muscular tension is to use the gua sha instrument to cut through the knot. Work perpendicular to the muscle fibers in order to properly dissolve the adhesions. The muscle fibers must then be lengthened and oriented correctly as the next phase. Try moving your tool back and forth over the area in an effort to release any tight muscles you may have in your upper shoulders. You can start using the gua sha instrument in an inward-to-outward motion once the muscles start to relax. Gua sha shouldn't be started in this direction, either, since doing so would only make the tissue compress even more.