The Benefits of Gua Sha Massage

Gua sha, a tool-assisted massage, is rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). It’s believed to help move the body’s qi, or energy.

During treatment, your practitioner scrapes lubricated skin with a smooth tool or stone. The scraping causes light rash-like spots called petechiae to appear, which is thought to stimulate blood flow and release unhealthy bodily matter.

Back

The rubbing and scraping motion of gua sha stimulates the lymphatic system, aiding in the release of metabolic waste, toxins, and stagnant fluids. This promotes healthy circulation and helps alleviate pain and stiffness, especially in the back and neck. Often, the scraping produces light purple or red marks called petechiae, but this is not necessarily painful or uncomfortable. These marks are a sign of good circulation and a well-functioning immune system.

Gua sha can also help alleviate tech neck, or the aches and pains of poor posture and frequent screen time, by loosening tight muscles in the neck and shoulders. This can help with posture and even relieve headaches, according to a study published in the journal Pain Medicine.

Face

When using a gua sha tool or stone on the face, be gentle and apply only a moderate amount of pressure. This area of the body is thinner, so applying too much pressure could cause discomfort or bleeding. Press the gua sha over your temples and brow bone, then move gua sha massage it toward the center of the forehead, past your earlobe, and down to your jawline. You can also use the rounded edge of the gua sha to sweep up your neck, from the base of your neck bones to your collarbone. When you’re satisfied, repeat on the other side of the neck.

Face

As with the back, gua sha is great for the face to address puffiness and other common concerns. Gua Sha can also help reduce the size of pimples and break down congestion that can lead to breakouts, improving circulation and reducing inflammation.

For the face, the practitioner starts by scraping across lubricated skin with the wider concave side of their tool. This can be done gently, or with more pressure depending on the client’s comfort level. “Be sure to always scrape in one direction,” Minichiello says, “not up and down or left and right.” This prevents the skin from getting damaged, but more importantly helps avoid the bruises that gua sha can cause.

The next step is to move the tool down the neck, swiping it across the collarbone and along the jawline. This helps stimulate lymph flow to prevent congestion and improve circulation.

Finally, the practitioner moves the smaller cleft or divot of the gua sha tool over the face. Starting at the center of the chin, the tool is scraped along the jawline toward the bottom of the ears. This is repeated a few times before moving onto the other side of the face.

Lastly, the notched edge of the gua sha is moved up from the corner of the nose across the forehead and temples. It is important to apply only light pressure in this area and be careful not to damage the delicate skin around the eyes.

Neck

Traditional East Asian medicine believes that blocked energy, or qi, is a root cause of pain and stiffness. Gua sha practitioners believe that by rubbing against the skin’s surface, the technique releases this stagnant energy and promotes healing.

While there aren’t many clinical studies on gua sha, one small study from 2011 found that it reduces neck pain more than a heating pad does. And a recent face cleanser brush study in perimenopausal women found that it relieves aches and discomfort associated with menopause.

Minichiello says people often get gua sha done on the back, but it can also be performed on the arms and legs. She’s even used it to treat headaches, as well as sciatica and hip pain. “It’s an excellent tool for anyone who has muscle tension or pain,” she says.

Gua sha involves scraping the lubricated area of the body, typically the neck or shoulder areas. It creates minor bruises that look like tiny purple or red marks called petechiae. These mark up the skin and indicate that blood is flowing through that area, and in turn, triggering a chain reaction that improves circulation, decreases inflammation and moves stagnant qi.

The bruising that occurs with gua sha is safe, but it’s important to work with an experienced practitioner who cleans their tools between patients. The technique is not recommended for those with sensitive skin, and shouldn’t be done over open wounds. It’s also contraindicated for those with notable thinning of the skin or taking prescription blood thinners.

Shoulders

While the gua sha technique is performed on the whole body, it’s especially effective in the neck, back and shoulders. “Scraping here helps release tension and stiffness in the muscles and reduces inflammation in the lungs, dispersing pathogens,” says Sher. This is also a great spot for those suffering from adhesive capsulitis, or frozen shoulder, since scraping can break down microscopic scar tissue and adhesions that cause pain.

Glide the flat side of the tool on your neck in longer strokes moving downward towards the collarbone and then use the concave side to drag the tool across your shoulders. You can also do a similar movement on the chest, starting at your heart center and gliding towards your ears.

Gua sha may be especially helpful for those with fibromyalgia, as it can help loosen up tight muscle fibers in this area. It can also be beneficial for those with chronic fatigue, triggering the parasympathetic nervous system to encourage sleep and boost immunity by promoting lymphatic drainage.

Adding gua sha to your self-care routine could be a smart move, but before you start scrubbing away on your own, consult with a certified practitioner who can teach you the right techniques and ensure you’re using the tool correctly. It’s also important to be aware that it can cause light bruising, which can last a few days or up to a week and is a normal part of the process.