Gua Sha / scraping method

What is Gua Sha mezzotint?

With the Gua Sha mezzotinting method, a rounded edge of a porcelain spoon, a coin or a jade mezzotint is mezzotinted several times over an area of the skin – which promotes blood circulation!
In China, there are various massage and drainage techniques, including Gua Sha, translated “gua” means scraping and “sha” means redness and describes the therapy briefly and concisely. This therapy is a scraping massage and can remove toxins from the body. The treatment lasts about 20-30 minutes. At the beginning the skin is massaged with oil and the therapist begins with the scraping technique. This promotes blood circulation and opens the superficial blood vessels. The reddening of the skin is desirable with this form of treatment and indicates the congestion in the respective area. The darker and larger the areas, the deeper the pathogens lie.
Gua Sha is very effective:

• Muscle tension and
• neck pain

But it can also be used for respiratory diseases and urological complaints. In China this method is not only used in the clinic or by the therapist but also as a home remedy for the common people. Despite the somewhat raw method, Gua Sha has a very relaxing effect and is very effective.

It also stimulates the metabolism very well, removes toxins through the skin and stimulates the self-healing powers. However, there are a few contraindications to be considered.

Careful use of the mezzotint method

On ingestion of:

• Marcumar
• heparin
• malignant and acute diseases
• Pregnancy and
• pronounced weakness of the connective tissue

the scraping method should not be used. In principle, all areas of the back can be scraped and the pressure on the spinous processes and bony structures of the shoulder and head should be adjusted accordingly. The resulting haematomas usually fade after 2-3 days and thus also indicate the process of metabolic processes. Also the classical cupping head massage shows similar effects as the Chinese scraping method, however the treatment of the bony structures is somewhat more difficult here than with the TCM scraper. You can find many interesting books and DVDs about Gua Sha on our homepage!