To scrape accurately over the meridians, acupoints, and holographic acupoint areas, a certain width and length of scraping is required. The length of scraping should generally be 4-10 centimeters above and below the central acupoint, with the principle of covering a range greater than the area being treated. If the meridian that needs scraping is long, it can be divided into segments.
【Pressure】To stimulate the superficial and deep meridians, promote the conduction of qi and blood in the meridians, and achieve therapeutic and health effects, there must be pressure applied to the skin. The thickness of tissues varies in different parts of the body, so the pressure should also vary. The pressure applied to bony prominences and muscular areas should be different, aiming to reach the deep muscles. The pressure should be even, steady, slow, and gentle, avoiding excessive force.
【Speed】The speed of scraping determines the comfort level and the intensity of tissue stimulation. Slower speed results in less pain.
【Angle】The angle of scraping refers to the inclination of the scraping tool in relation to the skin, forming an angle. The angle of scraping determines the comfort level, with a smaller angle being more comfortable.
【Duration】The duration of each scraping session should be determined based on the individual's constitution, the area being scraped, the condition being treated, and the intensity of scraping. It can range from a few minutes to 20-30 minutes. For first-time recipients and those with weaker constitution, the duration can be shortened. For individuals with weak constitution, scraping can be stopped when the pores open. For individuals with strong constitution, scraping can be stopped after a moderate amount of sha (reddish patches) appear.
【Interval】When scraping directly on the skin, the interval for the same area should be determined based on the normalization of the local skin, the disappearance of fatigue and tenderness, and the complete fading of sha. There is no time limit for scraping different areas. Scraping over clothing can be done daily.
【Sequence and Direction】Generally, yang meridians are scraped first, followed by yin meridians. The sequence starts with the head and neck, followed by the chest, abdomen, and limbs. The scraping direction for the trunk and limbs is from top to bottom. If there are varicose veins or swelling in the limbs, scraping should be done from bottom to top.
When scraping the face, the speed should be slow and the pressure should be light. Start from the forehead, then move to the eye area, cheeks, lips, nose, and chin in a gentle scraping motion.
1. Distinguishing Deficiency and Excess Before Scraping
Many people want to use the gua sha therapy but don't know if they are suitable for it. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between deficiency and excess, which is an important prerequisite for choosing a health technique and a crucial factor in determining the scraping technique.
When a person is sick, it is either due to external pathogenic factors or insufficient vital energy. The external pathogenic factors are equivalent to various harmful factors to the body, such as viruses and bacteria, which are referred to as the "Six Excesses" and "Seven Emotions" in traditional Chinese medicine. Vital energy refers to the body's resistance and immune function.
In simple terms, when there is insufficient vital energy and various discomforts occur in the body, it is called deficiency pattern. If the vital energy is relatively sufficient but the pathogenic factors are too strong for the vital energy to resist, it belongs to excess pattern. Among the nine constitutional types, yang deficiency, yin deficiency, and qi deficiency belong to the deficiency pattern, while phlegm-dampness, damp-heat, and blood stasis constitution can be a combination of deficiency and excess. Generally, the scraping therapy is most suitable for excess pattern.
2. Scraping Can Also Be Used for Deficiency Pattern
The gua sha therapy has fast and good effects on excess patterns, but does that mean it cannot be used for deficiency patterns? That is not the case. Each therapy has different techniques. For the same gua sha therapy, it can have both tonifying and purging effects, depending on how it is performed.
Based on the conditions of deficiency and excess, the principle of "purgation for excess and tonification for deficiency" should be followed. The tonifying and purging techniques of gua sha are determined by the factors of pressure and speed. Generally, fast speed and strong pressure represent purging, while slow speed and light pressure represent tonifying. Moderate speed and pressure represent balanced tonification and purging. According to the different patterns of deficiency and excess, the tonifying and purging techniques of gua sha also vary. The most important factors are the duration of scraping and the extent of scraping: regardless of the technique, longer duration and more areas scraped have a purging effect.
【For individuals with weak constitution and deficiency pattern】A tonifying technique with light pressure and slow speed should be used. The duration should be short and the areas scraped should be limited. It is only necessary to scrape until the skin feels slightly warm and the pores slightly open, which can stimulate and invigorate the vital energy. If sha does not appear or appears in small amounts, scraping over clothing or massaging acupoints with tonifying effects can also have tonifying effects.
【For individuals with both deficiency and excess patterns】Blood stasis constitution is a typical example, as it involves both deficiency and excess patterns. For individuals with combined patterns, a balanced tonification and purging technique with moderate pressure and speed should be used. The duration should not be too long, and each scraping session should not produce excessive sha or overly enlarged pores, aiming to expel pathogenic factors without damaging vital energy.
【For individuals with excess pattern】A balanced tonification and purging technique with strong pressure and slow speed should be used. Generally, individuals with excess pattern will produce sha during scraping, and the health effects will appear quickly. Regardless of whether sha appears or not, scraping should be continued until the pores open, which indicates the elimination of pathogenic factors.
【Bloodletting】Bloodletting therapy mainly involves treating diseases by inducing bleeding through needle puncture.
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