The annual dog days of summer have arrived again in the blink of an eye. It is a tradition to use cooling patches during this time, but is guasha (scraping therapy) beneficial during the dog days of summer? What are the benefits and disadvantages of guasha?
Is Guasha Beneficial During the Dog Days of Summer?
Guasha is a very good way to maintain health during the dog days of summer.
The dog days of summer are the hottest time of the year. By performing guasha during this time, it can promote the smooth flow of meridians in the body, expel toxins and waste, and alleviate the excessive heat and humidity. It can also help the body recover from fatigue.
Benefits of Guasha
Relieves Muscular Tension
More and more people are suffering from cervical spondylosis, shoulder periarthritis, and back pain. This is because when the "soft tissues" of the body (joint capsules, ligaments, fascia, etc.) are injured, the muscles can become tense, contracted, or even spasm, resulting in pain. If not treated in a timely manner, it can lead to different degrees of adhesion, fibrosis, or scar formation, thus worsening the condition. Guasha can relieve muscular tension, eliminate pain symptoms, and facilitate the recovery of the affected area.
Promotes Metabolism and Detoxification
The human body is constantly undergoing metabolic activities, and the waste produced during the metabolic process needs to be eliminated in a timely manner. Guasha can effectively scrape away the metabolic "waste" from the body and deposit it on the skin surface, allowing the blood flow to become smooth and restoring natural vitality.
Adjusts the Balance of Yin and Yang
The balance of Yin and Yang in the body is emphasized in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Guasha has a dual regulatory effect on the body's functions, improving and adjusting the functions of the organs, helping them restore balance.
Disadvantages of Guasha
Proper guasha therapy does not have any disadvantages to the body.
Some people perform guasha with excessive force and for a long period of time in order to achieve the desired effect. However, this can cause damage to the skin over time. This can be considered as improper guasha practice resulting in physical discomfort. Other than that, guasha does not have any harmful effects when done properly.
Who Should Not Do Guasha
1. Individuals with severe cardiovascular diseases, liver and kidney dysfunction, or generalized edema. Guasha can cause congestion under the skin, increase the burden on the heart, lungs, liver, and kidneys, worsen the condition of the patients, and even endanger their lives.
2. Guasha should not be performed on the abdomen and lumbar sacral region of pregnant women, as it may cause miscarriage.
3. Guasha should not be performed on areas with abscesses, ulcers, sores, rashes, or unknown lumps on the skin, as it can lead to infection and spread of the wounds.
4. Individuals with contagious skin diseases should avoid guasha, as it can transmit the disease to others.
5. Individuals who are excessively hungry or full, excessively fatigued, or intoxicated should not undergo intense or extensive guasha, as it can cause collapse.
6. Guasha should not be performed on the eyes, lips, tongue, ear holes, nostrils, nipples, umbilicus, and other areas, as it can cause congestion in these mucous membrane areas and hinder their recovery.
7. Guasha therapy should not be used on individuals with mental illnesses, as it can trigger their symptoms.
Precautions for Guasha
1. The room should be kept warm during guasha treatment. Avoid direct wind blowing on the areas being treated.
2. Avoid taking a cold shower within 30 minutes after guasha therapy.
3. After guasha, it is advisable to avoid alcohol, spicy food, raw and cold fruits, and greasy food.
4. Do not perform guasha on the same area until the guasha marks have subsided.
5. After guasha, drink a glass of warm water (preferably with a pinch of salt and sugar) and rest for half an hour.
6. Avoid getting angry after guasha and try to maintain a calm mood.
7. If any discomfort occurs after guasha, seek immediate medical attention.
