Can a stone solve your body pain woes? Yes, it’s a common ancient practice adopted in many Asian countries. Malaysians are no strangers to kerokan or coin rubbing, which is another name for gua sha massage. It’s a Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practice that has stood the test of time and gained worldwide attention. Gua sha has earned a spot as a must-have beauty item – even Korean idols use it every morning to depuff their faces.
While celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow and Meghan Markle use gua sha as a part of their skincare routines, this ancient technique is about much more than anti-ageing treatment. In fact, Western studies have found that gua sha can potentially decrease pain, improve blood circulation, and boost the immune system.
TCM Physician Kong Teck Chuan – a featured expert at All Things Health Malaysia shares his insights on gua sha massage for health and wellness.
Choosing Your First Gua Sha Tool
You can purchase a gua sha massage tool from most retail outlets today, or even online. But for first-time users, it would be confusing to see so many options with different materials and colours.
In TCM, stone materials are related to specific goals you might want to achieve. For example, using rose quartz can benefit your immune system while strengthening your cardiovascular system. Meanwhile, jade cools down the body and gets rid of toxins. If you’re worried about the durability of the tool, gua sha made of stainless steel is a sustainable option for you.
Don’t want to splurge on a gua sha tool just yet? Some household items like the rounded-edge handle of a spoon or a large coin would work just fine for a massage session at home.
Who Should Try Gua Sha Massage?
TCM practitioners have been using gua sha to address liver conditions such as Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. It encourages immunomodulatory effects through its action on the HO-1 enzyme.
Studies say that people who tend to have neck and back pain and overall body soreness can benefit from gua sha massage. It also relieves other inflammatory diseases like fever, gastritis, and mastitis. Physician Kong says, “Gua sha helps improve blood circulation to dissipate Blood Stasis, expel Wind, and clear Heat.” Apply gentle pressure to promote better circulation and lymphatic drainage if done on the face.
As for ladies, your gua sha tool is not just essential for a morning facial routine. Gua sha benefits include improving serum levels in perimenopausal women where hormone levels fluctuate drastically.
In conclusion, performing a gua sha massage on your body and face is generally safe. Just be sure to check with a doctor before doing it at home or if you have diabetes or are on blood thinners.
Steps to Perform a Gua Sha Massage:
It’s simple and easy, even for first-timers. You can ask one of your household members or friends to help massage those hard-to-reach areas.
- Check the environment
Contrary to popular belief, you should not freeze your gua sha tool. TCM believes that using cold tools can constrict circulation, therefore, keep it at room temperature. Make sure you’re massaging in a warm room without being exposed directly to a fan or air conditioner.
- Apply lubricant
You can use massage oil or ointment. It’s an important step in any gua sha massage technique. Lubricating the skin will prevent the breaking of the skin, wounding, or deep bruising.
- Massage away
Keep the gua sha tool fairly flat, at around a 15-degree angle. Apply firm pressure with every stroke. First, begin by rubbing perpendicularly to the muscle fibres to help loosen muscle knots. Then, rub along the muscles to help smooth out and stretch out the fibres, allowing fresh blood to flood the cells.
Use five strokes or more in a specific area. You’ll notice light red bruises – a sign of Stagnation leaving the body. If you want, use more strokes but always listen to your body. Lessen the pressure when you feel it’s too painful or uncomfortable.
- Aftercare
Finish up the session with a warm cup of water. Consuming food with ginseng (ren shen, 人参) and pure chicken essence will help replenish energy and reduce inflammation. Like other TCM modalities, gua sha massage is not meant to be a standalone treatment. So always follow a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and a proper diet.
Next time you have body aches, reach for a gua sha tool and scrape away the pain. If you’re looking for more, Physician Kong advises consulting with a TCM practitioner to get the best gua sha massage can offer.
If you want to incorporate a more natural approach to health and wellness, visit the All Things Health Malaysia website. From tips on choosing the best health supplements to help guide new parents should know, All Things Health will empower you to live a well-balanced life.
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[References]
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Pacific College of Health and Science. The Science of Gua Sha. [Accessed 23 July 2022]
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Brazilian Journal of Pain. 2019. Gua-sha: application and therapeutic results in musculoskeletal pain situations. Systematic review. [Accessed 23 July 2022]
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Cleveland Clinic. 2021. Why Gua Sha Might Be Good for You. [Accessed 23 July 2022]
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Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2018. Effects of Gua Sha therapy on perimenopausal syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. [Accessed 23 July 2022]
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net. 2021. Ask A Dermatologist: Do Gua Sha Facials Really Work? [Accessed 23 July 2022]
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Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice. 2019. Gua Sha therapy for chronic low back pain: A randomized controlled trial. [Accessed 23 July 2022]
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World Scientific. Introduction to Gua Sha Therapy. [Accessed 23 July 2022]
**The facts and views expressed are solely that of the author/authors and do not necessarily reflect that of the editorial board
