Gua Sha is an ancient Chinese healing practice that uses a smoothed jade or quartz tool to smooth and roll out fascia, tension and lymphatic build up.
Using the soothing qualities of jade, the Gua Sha technique utilizes gentle upward and outward rolling and strokes to both lift the fascia muscles as well as circulate Qi and lymph. Because of this technique, many consider regular Gua Sha sessions in favor of going under the knife or various injections.
There are many lymph drainage points all throughout the face, neck and chest. How Gua Sha works is it gently presses the lymph drainage points which releases the lymph and with the outward strokes guides the fluid build-up out of the face. In addition to clearing out the lymphatic build-up, the Gua Sha technique slowly releases the muscular tension and decreases inflammation.
A 2014 and 2017 study found that Gua Sha can alleviate some of the side effects for menopause, and therefore likely anyone experiencing regular period symptoms; back pain; muscle soreness. For those patients experiencing back pain, the Gua Sha treatment not only alleviated their pain but also increased flexibility with longer term success. Researchers also found that Gua Sha helps in muscle recovery, meaning that a little Gua Sha after your workout will help your cell muscles heal faster.
Since there are not many ways to deeply stretch your fascia and facial muscles, incorporating Gua Sha into your facial routine works to release the tension and build-up that is not easy to access. Furrowed brows and clenched jaws can all cause lymphatic build-up as well as blockages in your Qi. With even just 10-minutes of Gua Sha on your face and neck a day, you can invite balance into mind, body and energy.
Utilizing different angles of the rounded Gua Sha tool for different parts of the face will detoxify and release facial tension and create natural firmness and lift. Not only do Gua Sha treatments remove toxic build-up, but Gua Sha also stimulates your immune system by stimulating circulation throughout the face, neck, shoulders and chest.
Here’s how you can do Gua Sha from the comfort of your own home:
PREPARING FOR THE TREATMENT
Before beginning, make sure that your stone is entirely smooth and contains no cracks or jagged edges. Cleanse your face and apply a facial oil to provide enough moisture for continuous movement and less chance for abrasive movements. Drinking lots of water before the treatment will begin the detoxifying process and loosening the stagnant areas in your face, neck and chest.
CHEST TO ARMPIT
Position the curved edge of the Gua Sha against your skin at a 15 to 30 degree angle. Always move the Gua Sha upward and outward in continuous movements. The first movement is from the midline of the chest to the armpits. Apply the Gua Sha with medium to light pressure to each side, counting strokes in sets of three.
CLAVICLE TO JAW
The next movement is from the above the clavicle bone to the tip of the jaw line. In order to perform this stroke smoothly, hold the skin taut in the opposite direction of the movement. Beginning from the midline of clavicles, work your way around one side and then gently continue the process to the remaining side of your neck. This movement is incredibly effective for those of you who spend many long hours working from home in front of a computer experiencing “tech neck.” Be sure to incorporate the Gua Sha tool around your neck to just behind the ears for “tech neck” relief.
CHIN, EARS, MOUTH
With the long, flat part of your Gua Sha tool, begin at the midline of your chin and gently work your way up to the jaw bone. Working in consistent, upward and outward strokes, the motion will decrease inflammation and sharpen your jawline.
EYES AND FOREHEAD
Using the shortest end of the Gua Sha tool, place the end with the soft bumps against your cheekbone as close to your nose as possible. Remember to only move the Gua Sha outwards, applying the treatment from the inner corner to the outer corner in one sweeping movement. This movement will help with under-eye care and reduce fine lines around the eyes.
For the forehead, using the same short, bumpy end of the tool, start at the midpoint of your brow and move outwards slowly to the temples. For those of you that carry a lot of tension in your brow, or your Third-Eye chakra, the movement will help release that hard-to-reach tension, lifting your face to feel and look brighter and more open.
ENDING YOUR TREATMENT
Continue to drink lots of water to let the lymphatic buildup and toxins flow out of your system and encourage the flow of your energy as well. If there is a surprising amount of redness in any particular area, any over-the-counter painkiller can help reduce the redness. But have no fear! The redness simply means you have been stimulating and recirculating your blood, lymph and energy.
This simple yet incredibly effective technique will invite the wisdom of some of the most ancient healing practices, and also give you some present and almost-immediate relief. With Gua Sha you get pain relief, detoxification, a boost in your immune system, recirculation and blood and energy all with the added bonus of looking like you received an all natural face lift.
Are you ready to reset and rejuvenate your body? Ready to cleanse your lymph nodes? Ready for lower inflammation, decreased muscular tension, and heightened mental clarity and energy? Let one of our professional estheticians here at Touch To Heal Spa show you what the experience should feel like, link below to book your session!
FACIALS ESSENTIAL
