Does anyone know about Gua Sha (or scraping) technique?
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skincare Tools & Do-It-Yourself Skincare

free skin care · Mon Jan 11, 2010 8:48 am

Jasminerosey has mentioned that she is trying to assimilate Gua Sha (scraping) into her skincare regimen. Does anyone have any information on this technique? I'm interested in it as well. TIA!!! ~ JJ

free skin care · Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:13 am

I don't know about Gua Sha, but the words "scraping technique" made me think of something else that I'd heard of: the Graston technique (http://www.grastontechnique.com/FAQs.html). The Graston technique seems to be a scraping-like technique that's supposed to break down scar tissue and calcification in the body. I don't know whether there is any legitimacy to it or not, but there you go! Smile

free skin care · Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:20 am

cm5597 wrote:

I don't know about Gua Sha, but the words "scraping technique" made me think of something else that I'd heard of: the Graston technique (http://www.grastontechnique.com/FAQs.html). The Graston technique seems to be a scraping-like technique that's supposed to break down scar tissue and calcification in the body. I don't know whether there is any legitimacy to it or not, but there you go! Smile

Oh, thanks, CM!!!! I've never heard of the Graston technique, but this in exactly the kind of information I was looking for. I will dive into this tonight when I have some time to myself. Thx again! ~ JJ

free skin care · Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:27 am

Cool!

Let me know if you find anything good or promising about it, as I confess that I really know nothing about it yet. But it did sound very interesting when I first heard of it. Btw, in case you are interested, here is a video of someone receiving the Graston technique: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheRawFoodWorld#p/u/91/3lemvBusJzc. In this video, the Graston practitioner mentions Gua Sha, and suggests that the Graston technique tools are more sophisticated than the Gua Sha tools, so it does sound like they are very similar. HTH Smile

free skin care · Mon Jan 11, 2010 9:46 am

cm5597 wrote:

Cool!

Let me know if you find anything good or promising about it, as I confess that I really know nothing about it yet. But it did sound very interesting when I first heard of it. Btw, in case you are interested, here is a video of someone receiving the Graston technique: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheRawFoodWorld#p/u/91/3lemvBusJzc. In this video, the Graston practitioner mentions Gua Sha, and suggests that the Graston technique tools are more sophisticated than the Gua Sha tools, so it does sound like they are very similar. HTH Smile

Well that's very exciting! I'll watch tonight! THX! JJ

free skin care · Mon Jan 11, 2010 10:10 am

cm5597 wrote:

Cool!

Let me know if you find anything good or promising about it, as I confess that I really know nothing about it yet. But it did sound very interesting when I first heard of it. Btw, in case you are interested, here is a video of someone receiving the Graston technique: http://www.youtube.com/user/TheRawFoodWorld#p/u/91/3lemvBusJzc. In this video, the Graston practitioner mentions Gua Sha, and suggests that the Graston technique tools are more sophisticated than the Gua Sha tools, so it does sound like they are very similar. HTH Smile

CM could you please check the link and post again... This link went to some crazed looking guy talking about colonic's... Laughing

This scraping bit does sound interesting.. I'm wondering if it's like something I watched on u-tube long ago, where some kind of 'jade' stone (I think), was used on the face.. Probably not now that I think of it, I think she was using a bit of lifting and pressing rather than scraping..

free skin care · Mon Jan 11, 2010 10:22 am

Yeah,

, SO sorry about that Kassy! (The person who made the short intro video on the Graston technique also makes videos on colonics...lots of them... Laughing

I'm so sorry; I didn't mean to inflict that on you!)

Try this instead:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3lemvBusJzc

It should bring up a video called "Tree of Life (Part II of IV) Graston Technique, Episode #249". The stuff on the Graston technique starts at 45 seconds into the video. The author of the video isn't the most credible person, so some of his stuff seems way out there, but his video on the Graston method gives a short demo of the technique being performed and gives a pretty good view of what is happening (the actual demo of the technique starts about 5:08 into the video).

HTH Smile

free skin care · Mon Jan 11, 2010 10:42 am

Thanks 'CM'... It was very interesting!

Tue Jan 12, 2010 2:06 am

jjbeacham wrote:

Jasminerosey has mentioned that she is trying to assimilate Gua Sha (scraping) into her skincare regimen. Does anyone have any information on this technique? I'm interested in it as well. TIA!!! ~ JJ

Just a question. Do you mean to apply the Gua Sha technique on your face?

You see my brother had a Gua Sha on his back and he came back with red bruises on his back after the session. It looked gruesome but he said he felt a lot better and cooler.

I understand that Gua Sha is an ancient traditional chinese medicine/method to remove toxins in the body and promote better blood circulation. Its done by scrapping at certain points in the body.

I'm just thinking aloud that you may have to be careful with Gua Sha if its not properly done.

free skin care · Tue Jan 12, 2010 2:17 am

Bleurgh. Had a bit of a bad reaction to the hairy chap, strange man. But the technique looks interesting, I've been doing it DIY on my face with a massage stone, looks to me like it wouldn't be so difficult to do it on the body with the smooth edge of a kitchen knife. It's metal, it's smooth, don't see how bits of shaped metal cost 3 thousand dollars, I have a beautiful set of artist chisels and they cost very little, maybe if those tools were made of platinum I'd understand it. Shaping metal doesn't usually cost the earth.

Will give it a go! I could be wrong, but it doesn't seem like it's anything other than doing what you'd do with your knuckles on a regular massage.

free skin care · Tue Jan 12, 2010 2:53 am

Hi, I have tried gua sha with a cow (or bull) scraper, I had a book specially for beauty and health. I actually like it very much, I can feel the blood circulation has improved right away the scrapping.

Wait for me to send you links of the method.

free skin care · Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:04 am

I only do gua sha on my body because I only have the one for body. No idea where to get the face one. But it's really good. I get the red marks after doing and my body is less pain after that. I frequently get backaches.

free skin care · Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:06 am

If you don't have the bone scraper, you can use a tablespoon. Make sure you don't hurt yourself.

Shall I add a disclaimer?

free skin care · Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:23 am

Haha! Funny girl! Laughing

Will be very careful with teaspoon and if I get any bad effects won't be complaining to you, although does that also mean if I get good effects I shouldn't thank you? Am grateful for all the fab stuff you post lass.

critic wrote:

If you don't have the bone scraper, you can use a tablespoon. Make sure you don't hurt yourself.

Shall I add a disclaimer?

free skin care · Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:24 am

critic wrote:

If you don't have the bone scraper, you can use a tablespoon. Make sure you don't hurt yourself.

Shall I add a disclaimer?

you the best

free skin care · Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:30 am

critic wrote:

If you don't have the bone scraper, you can use a tablespoon. Make sure you don't hurt yourself.

Shall I add a disclaimer?

Haha disclaimers are only necessary for people like *ahem* you know who. So it doesnt matter what material of the thing you use?

free skin care · Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:22 am

faeriedust wrote:

critic wrote:

If you don't have the bone scraper, you can use a tablespoon. Make sure you don't hurt yourself.

Shall I add a disclaimer?

Haha disclaimers are only necessary for people like *ahem* you know who. So it doesnt matter what material of the thing you use?

Does not really matter what you use, I have read a few books (TCM), in the old days people simply use ceramic spoon or anything from the kitchen. The TCM practitioner that I usually go ask me to use table-spoon, he said can do it anytime (by the time I traveled a lot and he said I can do it anytime in a hotel). But first, you have to get a map of your body, for doing facial is easy, body is not that easy - really have to learn from a pro.

Disclaimer : I am not a pro.

Tue Jan 12, 2010 4:43 am

Yup that's true. So long as the object can do the job. I asked my friend who does Gua Sha on a regular basis and she uses a spoon taken right out of the kitchen Cool

. The important thing is the scrapping... She says if the scrapping leaves red marks/welts/bruises its a good sign the scrapping is doing something good to the body, i.e. taking out the bad heat/ wind.

She rarely takes panadol and antibiotics and resorts to TCM whenever she has the headaches etc.

But I for one can't get the image of my bro's bruised back when I think of Gua Sha.

free skin care · Tue Jan 12, 2010 5:58 am

garbath wrote:

Yup that's true. So long as the object can do the job. I asked my friend who does Gua Sha on a regular basis and she uses a spoon taken right out of the kitchen Cool

. The important thing is the scrapping... She says if the scrapping leaves red marks/welts/bruises its a good sign the scrapping is doing something good to the body, i.e. taking out the bad heat/ wind.

She rarely takes panadol and antibiotics and resorts to TCM whenever she has the headaches etc.

But I for one can't get the image of my bro's bruised back when I think of Gua Sha.

You will faint if you see the cupping marks on my back, they are all dark purple and last for a week.

free skin care · Tue Jan 12, 2010 7:42 am

I haven't visited this thread since the forum went down yesterday, and Wow! - what a wealth of information! The tablespoon sounds like a fabulous idea, critic. And no, no disclaimer necessary! Laughing

Critic if you could post any links you have, I would much appreciate it. Thank you all for contributing to this thread. I knew that some of you would have information and now, at least, I have a starting point. Thanks again ~ JJ

free skin care · Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:18 am

There is a small TCM establishment in my city (herbs, acupuncture, gua sha, cupping etc.)that will sell a traditional gua sha tool for $5, if asked(it is made from animal horn, which i believe is the traditional material used)

there is also a site online that sells gua sha tools focused on allieviating soft tissue pain (it's a westernized kind of site/approach)that has gua sha tools made of some kind of synthetic plastic-y looking material....the one appropriate for the face costs $24.95 (and $5 shipping) and there are two others for back,legs, etc..with a manual available also...but the approach is for pain..not anti-aging... at http://guashatools.com/store/index.html

free skin care · Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:19 am

Critic took the words out of my mouth, when I had cupping down, it left purple/red marks on my back for a short time thereafter, and they were quite big and round.

critic wrote:

You will faint if you see the cupping marks on my back, they are all dark purple and last for a week.

free skin care · Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:30 am

THere is also this fabulous website called calm spirit that sells jade rollers (and i believe jade gua sha tols, but i need to investiate more..i do't even know where it's located yet but it isA really beautiful site

also a book by Pig Zhang which i will certainly get..shes a 3rd generation tcm practitiner specializing in anti-aging..spa type applications as well as traditinal ways... one book is very scholarly with acupuncture points/meridians for anti-aginig..but i believe i can follow it well enough with the photos..where cuping or gua sha, etc. can be usedinstead of needles (ther is also a $250 dvd set of her professional TCM anti-aging seminar...again including gua sha...and another book more for the lay person (she alos has now her own line of natural serums, etc..and her second book includes this) i am personally more interested in her first book...but one has to have studied tCM..or have a good self-taught foundation of it..this is the book i wil bet..and report back.

free skin care · Tue Jan 12, 2010 8:38 am

OMG..i am in such a hurry..need to leave this site asap...but the typos in my last post maybe make it not understandable at all!!!!

ANYWAY,WILL EXPLAIN BETTER LATER..AND THE PRACTITIONER'S NAME IS 'Ping' Zhang (not Pig...!)

free skin care · Tue Jan 12, 2010 10:41 am

I think if there is possibility of injuring yourself, then a disclaimer is always good. Some of us are willing to do a lot to stop the aging process! Laughing

faeriedust wrote:

critic wrote:

If you don't have the bone scraper, you can use a tablespoon. Make sure you don't hurt yourself.

Shall I add a disclaimer?

Haha disclaimers are only necessary for people like *ahem* you know who. So it doesnt matter what material of the thing you use?

Automatic Message

If this is your first visit to the EDS Forums please take the time to register. Registration is required for you to post on the forums. Registration will also give you the ability to track messages of interest, send private messages to other users, participate in Gift Certificates draws and enjoy automatic discounts for shopping at our online store. Registration is free and takes just a few seconds to complete.

Click Here to join our community.

If you are already a registered member on the forums, please login to gain full access to the site.