Gua sha can dilate capillaries, promote blood circulation, and is suitable for treating three types of conditions: discomfort in the neck and shoulders caused by wind and cold, which can be relieved by scraping the shoulder and neck meridians or the trapezius muscle; back pain caused by wind and cold arthralgia, which can be relieved by scraping the bladder meridian or the erector spinae muscle; and conditions such as colds, heatstroke, and indigestion, which can also be treated with gua sha, but must be strictly performed according to requirements, preferably by a professional.
Although gua sha has immediate effects on many conditions, there are also certain considerations. During summer gua sha, it is advisable to avoid direct blowing of air conditioning or fans on the scraped area. It is best not to take a bath within 30 minutes after scraping, especially a cold water bath. The same area should not be scraped again until the previous sha marks have subsided, and the interval between subsequent gua sha sessions should be 3 to 6 days. After scraping, it is recommended to drink a cup of warm water and rest for 15 to 20 minutes. Gua sha treatment is not suitable for individuals who are fasting, excessively fatigued, physically weak with loss of skin elasticity, suffering from local abscess, ulceration, or tumors, have heart disease, edema, hemophilia, bleeding disorders, purpura, or other bleeding diseases.
Do not blindly pursue the color of sha
It is worth noting that many people mistakenly believe that gua sha must be extremely painful and result in a "deep red or purple" color to be considered effective. In fact, this is incorrect. Gua sha does not have to be excessively painful or result in a dark purple color to be effective. Generally, scraping the skin until it appears slightly red or purplish-red is sufficient. If the scraping technique, location, or force is not properly controlled, blindly pursuing the color of sha can not only be ineffective but may also cause rupture of superficial blood vessels beneath the skin.
If gua sha is performed incorrectly, it may result in small blood clots or even skin necrosis. If a large amount of hemoglobin is absorbed into the bloodstream and blocks the renal tubules, it can lead to kidney damage or even acute renal failure. Therefore, it is advisable to seek gua sha treatment at a reputable traditional Chinese medicine clinic.
