Gua Sha
Gua sha is an ancient chinese massage therapy where the therapist uses tools or hand manipulation to relieve tight knots and muscles. It involves scraping a tool back and forth over the muscle, relieving tension and decreasing pain. This technique is helpful in breaking up adhesions that have formed in muscles and fascia leading to improved flexibility.
Sometimes called spooning or coining, gua sha has been practiced for thousands of years to treat ailments by stimulating blood circulation beneath the top layer of the skin. At Northbridge Chiropractic, our doctors have the tools and expertise to relieve stubborn muscle pain and tension using this traditional method along with a variety of other treatment techniques.
How Does Gua Sha Massage Work?
Gua sha massage starts with a cleanse and gentle massage with a special oil to prepare the skin and ensure your safety and comfort during the treatment. Once your skin is prepared, the practitioner will gently, but firmly, roll the curved edge of the gua sha scraper across your skin with short or long strokes in a downward motion.
This process is usually carried out on the back, neck, arms, buttocks and legs. Gua sha massage begins with mild pressure, activating the capillaries beneath the skin’s surface. Pressure is gradually increased until it gets to the source of the pain.
What Are the Benefits of Gua Sha?
Gua sha massages encourage blood to rise to the surface of the skin, kick starting your body’s natural healing process. It is becoming increasingly popular as a treatment for pain relief and many chronic ailments, diseases and conditions, including:
Gua sha is also used by some practitioners to improve the immune system, reduce inflammation, treat colds and fevers and improve overall health and well-being. Studies show that gua sha massage can trigger the release of the heme-oxygenase-1 hormone, which stimulates the production of anti-inflammatory molecules in our body.
