Gua Sha - Sister therapy to cupping in TCM (traditional Chinese medicine) - Helps relieve local stagnation, physical discomfort and increases blood flow to effected areas for quicker immune response in the body.
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"Gua sha does not cause bruising. Bruising represents traumatic bleeding and injury to the tissue, The red marks seen after a gua sha treatment represent the flight of red blood cells in the surface tissue." ~ Dr Arya Nielsen
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Gua Sha releases fluids that contain metabolic waste and congest the surface tissues and muscles. Gua Sha promotes circulation and normalizes metabolic processes. It is a valuable treatment for both external and internal pain, and facilitates the resolution of both acute and chronic disorders.
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*An excellent compliment to any wellness regimen. EMAIL Gary with questions or to schedule an appointment.
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What is Gua Sha:
Gua Sha (pronounced 'Gwah Sah') is a technique that involves palpation and cutaneous stimulation where the skin is pressured or scraped in strokes with a round-edged instrument; that results in the appearance of small red petechiae called 'sha', that will fade in 2 to 3 days. Raising Sha is said to promote normal circulation and metabolic processes. |
Benefits of Gua Sha:
In most cases the patient feels an immediate shift in their condition particularly in their pain or sense of constraint, range of motion. In traditional medicine, Gua Sha moves stuck Qi and Blood, releasing the Exterior, mimicking sweating and moving Fluids. Modern research has confirmed Gua sha reduces pain, inflammation while stimulating an immune protective response that can persist for days following treatment. Gua sha is a valuable treatment for musculoskeletal problems as well as internal organ conditions including respiratory and hepatic inflammation. |
Contraindications:
- Broken skin/wounds - Sunburns - Bruises - Skin disruptions that might bleed - boils/pimples, skin tags - Unexplained lesions on the skin - Infection - Bleeding disorders - Anticoagulant medications - Recent fracture - Recent surgery - Varicose veins/phlebitis - Pregnancy - Patient very weak or inflamed |
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More on Gua Sha:
Gua Sha is stimulating to the immune system, detoxifies, increases circulation, regulates organ function, normalizes metabolic processes, removes stagnation and eases pain. After a Gua Sha treatment, a patient usually feels a shift or release especially if there was pain. There is often sweating which is the body’s way of releasing toxins that have been inside the body. Gua Sha revitalizes, rejuvenates, helps diminish stress, fatigue and severe exhaustion. It helps to release emotions, relaxes the body and helps to clear the mind and senses. Gua Sha is a simple treatment, but incredibly effective for many ailments which is why it has been used in China and South East Asia for thousands of years. |
Additional Gua Sha Info:
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Aftercare Following Cupping or Gua Sha:
Cupping and gua sha often leave marks that can last from one day to one week. Because these techniques open the skin’s pores to facilitate the release of heat, wind, or toxins, the areas we have worked on should be considered vulnerable to “invasion” by wind, cold, dampness, and other elements that can create stagnation and pain. Therefore, please make sure to keep the areas worked on covered and away from coldness or wind for several days. If possible, try not to bathe for 12 hours after cupping or gua sha. Please make sure to drink enough water so that your body can flush out any stagnation that was released from your muscle layer. Sometimes after cupping or gua sha, the area may feel a little sore or you may feel a little tired, as if you did some exercise. This may last for up to 24 hours after a treatment.
Cupping and gua sha may not only remove physical blocks, but also emotional stagnation. Therefore, after cupping and gua sha please do your best to observe your feelings and give your body and and being what it needs or is asking for, whether that is water or rest, great food, silence, or anything else. At any point after your treatment, please feel free to contact Gary if you would like to discuss any of the effects of your treatment that concern you.
Cupping and gua sha often leave marks that can last from one day to one week. Because these techniques open the skin’s pores to facilitate the release of heat, wind, or toxins, the areas we have worked on should be considered vulnerable to “invasion” by wind, cold, dampness, and other elements that can create stagnation and pain. Therefore, please make sure to keep the areas worked on covered and away from coldness or wind for several days. If possible, try not to bathe for 12 hours after cupping or gua sha. Please make sure to drink enough water so that your body can flush out any stagnation that was released from your muscle layer. Sometimes after cupping or gua sha, the area may feel a little sore or you may feel a little tired, as if you did some exercise. This may last for up to 24 hours after a treatment.
Cupping and gua sha may not only remove physical blocks, but also emotional stagnation. Therefore, after cupping and gua sha please do your best to observe your feelings and give your body and and being what it needs or is asking for, whether that is water or rest, great food, silence, or anything else. At any point after your treatment, please feel free to contact Gary if you would like to discuss any of the effects of your treatment that concern you.
