Gua Sha & Facial Rejuvenation

Gua Sha is a technique that is mainly applied to the body to treat a variety of health conditions. The method of usage is often passed down through family lineage as a healing home remedy for acute ailments like sun stroke, colds and flu, fever and also muscular-skeletal and inflammatory pain.

It is widely used in treatments by Traditional Chinese & East Asian Medicine practitioners and benefits many other conditions. Toxic effects from the elements such as heat, cold, damp, wind and external pathogens can enter and settle in the meridian channel system at either a superficial level, or where chronic disorder has occurred, at deeper levels of the body causing unwelcome symptoms.

Gua, describes the firm press stroking uni-directional movement that is used on the skin to 'vent the channels' and release toxicity by intentionally raising Sha. Gua Sha tools are traditionally made of buffalo horn and Jade stone, though in family use something easily accessible like a soup spoon, jar lid, or coin may be used. 

Sha describes the red rash or petechiae that appears on the skin when stagnation is released. It can look alarming, but the Sha causes no damage to the blood vessels or skin and is a transitory therapeutic effect of treatment, fading in around two-four days. Symptoms are generally relieved quickly. See the bottom right photograph for an example of faded Sha following Gua Sha treatment to the back, neck and shoulders.

In Gua Sha for facial rejuvenation the technique differs from Gua Sha applied to the body, the pressure is much more gentle, and it is not necessary or desirable to raise Sha.

Although ageing is a natural process common areas of concern on the face such as wrinkles, pigmentation and sagging skin, can be viewed as surface level manifestations of potential disharmony (physical, emotional, spiritual and environmental) affecting the internal organs and their interconnecting relationships.

The health of the skin and body are intrinsically linked. A TCM/TEAM practitioner would apply Gua Sha to the face for skin rejuvenation by intentionally working with the meridian channels and points that bring energy and nutrition to the neck, face and scalp.

Areas on the body may also be treated with appropriate techniques to support imbalanced organs and to free stagnation and obstructions in the flow of specific meridian channels that influence facial ageing.

The myofascial massage aspect of Gua Sha releases tension and stagnation in the skin tissue and muscles, promoting an increased flow of blood and Qi, the life-force of the body.

Skin vitality is ultimately seen as a reflection of radiance that originates from wellbeing within.