One of the traditional Chinese health preservation methods is called gua sha. Recently, back gua sha has become popular. How can you do back gua sha at home? Let's take a look at the correct technique for back gua sha.
Back Gua Sha Technique 1
Scrape along the Governor Vessel, Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang, and Jiaji points from Dazhui to Changqiang. The Governor Vessel is located on the posterior midline; the Bladder Meridian of Foot Taiyang is located 1.5 and 3 cun away from the posterior midline; the Jiaji points are located on both sides below the spinous processes of the 1st thoracic vertebra to the 5th lumbar vertebra, 0.5 cun away from the midline of the posterior aspect.
Back Gua Sha Technique 2
Start by scraping the Governor Vessel in the middle of the back, then scrape the Bladder Meridian and Jiaji points on both sides. For the shoulders, scrape towards the shoulder peaks on both sides from the neck. You can first use local massage on the sensitive tender points near the Governor Vessel and Bladder Meridian, and then scrape the meridians in the area from top to bottom.
Benefits of Back Gua Sha
Pain Relief
Back gua sha can regulate muscle contraction and tension, adjust the pressure between tissues, promote blood circulation around the scraped tissues, increase tissue flow, and have the effect of promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, and relieving pain.
Meridian Clearance
Back gua sha can clear the meridians, eliminate pain and symptoms, relieve muscle tension, and significantly reduce the sense of body pain and pressure, which is beneficial for the repair of lesions.
Toxin Elimination
During the gua sha process, there is high congestion in local tissues, and blood vessels and nerves are stimulated, causing vasodilation and accelerated blood and lymph circulation. Waste and toxins in the body can be quickly eliminated, purifying the blood and enhancing overall resistance.
Disease Treatment
Back gua sha can treat diseases of the five Zang organs and six Fu organs in the whole body. For example, scraping the Heart Shu point can treat heart diseases, including coronary heart disease, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, arrhythmia, etc.; scraping the Lung Shu point can treat lung diseases such as bronchial asthma, emphysema, cough, etc.
Precautions for Back Gua Sha
1. Scrape the back from top to bottom. Generally, start by scraping the Governor Vessel in the middle of the back, then scrape the Bladder Meridian and Jiaji points on both sides.
2. When scraping the middle of the back, the technique should be gentle and supplementary, avoiding excessive force on the ribs to avoid injury to the spine.
3. Use the corners of the scraping board to press on the interspinous spaces. For the sides of the back, choose a scraping technique based on the individual's constitution and condition, with even force and continuous scraping, without stopping in the middle.
How to do Self Gua Sha at Home
Head Routes
Sides of the Head
Start from the temples and scrape towards the Fengchi point, Tianwei point, Yanhan point.
Top of the Head
Start from the Baihui point and scrape towards the Luhui point, Qianting point, Tongtian point, Shangxing point, and finally the Linqi point.
Back of the Head
Start from the Baihui point and scrape towards the Houding point, Naohu point, Fengfu point, Yamun point, and then pat to complete the gua sha on the back of the head.
Entire Head
Start from the Baihui point and scrape in a radial direction along the hairline, passing through all the acupoints on the head, providing comprehensive gua sha and stimulation to the language area, motor area, and sensory area of the brain.
Effects: Gua sha on the head can effectively improve blood circulation in the head, unblock the body's yang qi, adjust and enhance the function of the nervous system, improve blood supply to the brain, thereby preventing and treating conditions such as cerebral embolism, sequelae of cerebrovascular accidents, neurasthenia, headaches, hypertension, dizziness, memory loss, premature graying of hair, colds, and hair loss. It also helps eliminate fatigue, promote hair growth, and reduce stress.
Facial Gua Sha
Forehead
Start from the midline of the forehead and scrape towards the Yuyao point, Sizhukong point, and Hanxuan point on both sides.
Cheeks
Scrape in order from the inner side, through the Chengqi point, Sibai point, Xiaguan point, Tinggong point, and Ermen point.
Jawline
Start from the Chengjiang point and scrape towards the Dicang point, Daying point, Jieche point, etc.
Suggestion: Facial sha can affect appearance, so the technique should be gentle, avoiding excessive sha. The face does not need to be applied with blood-activating agents. Generally, use replenishing technique and avoid using large-scale scraping with strong force. Scrape along the muscle direction from the inside to the outside. Once a day.
Chest Gua Sha
Midline of the Chest
Scrape from the Tiantu point to the Jiuwei point along the midline, using the corner of the scraping board and scraping from top to bottom.
Sides of the Chest
Scrape from the midline to the outside, first left then right, using the entire edge of the scraping board and scraping along the direction of the ribs from the inside to the outside. For the Zhongfu point, use the corner of the scraping board to scrape from top to bottom.
Suggestion: When scraping the midline of the chest, apply gentle force, avoiding excessive force. Use the corners of the scraping board to scrape along the intercostal spaces. Do not scrape the nipple area.
