This week, we are happy to share a contribution on healing and beauty written by our newest intern, Jacqueline Corona. Read below to learn about the Gua Sha and its benefits!
If you have seen this tool trending all over social media, you are probably wondering how it works and what it’s supposed to do. Traditionally, Gua Sha was not used for beauty; it’s mainly used to promote healing. According to Medical News Today, Gua Sha is a traditional method of Chinese therapy that is used to relieve heatstroke, muscle pain, joint pain and inflammation. You’ll no longer find the tool in the form of a coin or a spoon, but now made from jade or rose quartz. Some physiotherapists use a stainless steel material when Gua Sha is used in a clinic setting.
Gua Sha as a Healing Tool
The tool is used to apply pressure to the skin, and does so in a scraping motion. Oil is used alongside Gua Sha so that it may glide seamlessly across the skin. Although one often might see petechiae or broken capillaries – it is not painful and will fade away. Small trauma to the body will actually help the body trigger a response to break up scar tissue and promote healing. It may even help break down connective tissue which helps with movement and flexibility. For those reasons, you can find weightlifters as a target for studies done on the topic of Gua Sha.
Gua Sha as a Beauty Tool
All over social media, you’ll find Gua Sha used on the face to lift, contour and tone, but you might wonder if it actually works or not. Not only do acupuncturists use this method, but so do estheticians! In Vogue’s interview with Cecily Braden, (a holistic esthetician who specializes in traditional Eastern beauty with Western clients), we learn that the beauty benefits that the Gua Sha provides were found by accident. Facial pressure points are used by acupuncturists to treat other areas of the body, and its facial rejuvenating benefits were then discovered. Braden strategically uses the tool to drain lymph fluid, which will help to decrease inflammation and puffiness (Jin, 2020). This is similar to massages, which help to drain toxins and reduce inflammation. You can find Gua Sha in the form of a hand-held roller or as a contoured natural stone fit for the contours of the face.
This ancient practice is all the rage, and for good reason, considering its many benefits. You can incorporate this unique tool into your routine whether you’re into natural beauty or have inflammation you want to relieve. You can now find the tool in many stores and use it your own home. Just remember, like many things in life, consistency is key when it comes to the Gua Sha!
Sources
Gua Sha: What you need to know. Medical News Today. (n.d.).
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320397.
Jin, M. (2020, April 10). Why Gua Sha Is the Orgiinal Form of At Home Self-Care.
Vogue. https://www.vogue.com/article/gua-sha-history-at-home-self-care.
Wang, X., Chatchawan, U., Nakmareong, S., Silsirivanit, A., Wang, Y., Xie, D., Yang, J.,
& Eungpinichpong, W. (2015, May 3). Effects of GUASHA on Heart Rate Variability in Healthy Male Volunteers under Normal Condition and Weightlifters after Weightlifting Training Sessions. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. https://www.hindawi.com/journals/ecam/2015/268471/.
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