Did you know that your skin is your body’s heaviest and largest organ? Your skin does a lot to protect you from harmful things in the outside world such as moisture and the cold as well as germs and toxic substances. Not only is your skin your body’s first defense mechanism, it is also the literal face you present to the world. It’s worth taking care of!
Gua Sha, a modality within the Traditional Chinese Medicine system, focuses on microcirculation through the skin layer on various parts of the body. According to the principles of TCM, your “qi” flows throughout your body and when it becomes stagnant health problems can occur. With body Gua Sha, a practitioner uses tools with rounded edges to gently stimulate the skin, boosting circulation, increasing blood flow, activating the lungs, breaking up scar tissue, and easing chronic pain. Facial Gua Sha is focused on improving lymphatic drainage in the face, smoothing out puffiness, toning and softening muscles, improving overall circulation, and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. All this also helps your “qi” flow and keeps your body in balanc.e. It also feels really good!
The tools vary but are typically made of natural materials like jade, amethyst, and rose quartz stones, but soup spoons are used as well for the body. Facial gua sha tools generally consist of natural materials that are in specific shapes to accommodate the contours of the face. The skin is oiled with the appropriate oils so the tools glide across the skin as the practitioner exerts varying degrees of pressure. Receiving Gua Sha is like getting a massage, but instead of fingers and hands, the tool is touching the skin. Some products I use and recommend are rose quartz stone tools by YangFace and bian stone tools by YINA.
The tool’s direction, pressure, speed, and angle are guided by the practitioner’s knowledge of the skin’s role in the bodys larger systems. For example, the skin plays a part in the drainage of lymph fluid so moving the tool towards the lymph nodes assists in lymphatic drainage. As a form of massage, Gua Sha eases tension in both the muscular system and the fascia and knowing how the muscles are laying under the skin are helpful in guiding the tool. Through gentle motion of the tool against the skin, the practitioner relieves stress held in muscles and tendons while encouraging blood flow to tight areas. This supports the overall health of the body.
Recently, Gua Sha has been trending for its positive effects on facial focused treatments. The same principles apply: oiled skin, tools with rounded edges, gentle pressure, and knowledge of the structures and systems under the skin. The benefits of increased blood flow, improved circulation, and release of tension are immediately appreciated on the face. When the tension of the face is released, your skin appears rejuvenated. With improved circulation, your skin looks healthier and even glows. When skilled knowledge of how the facial muscles support your skin is applied, your face looks lifted. The ‘Gua Sha glow” looks good, but, more importantly, makes you feel amazing! YINA has excellent, high quality skin care products and their Gua Sha Discovery Kit is a great way to get started.
Linden Acupuncture offers both facial and body Gua Sha. I also offer online training in facial Gua Sha to empower you to include Gua Sha as part of your skin care rituals, sharing tips and advice on the best tools, oil, and methods for your skin type.
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