Singapore Traditional Chinese Medicine Gua Sha Therapy

Gua Sha Therapy

Gong Fang Tang Traditional Chinese Medicine

Gua Sha therapy is a traditional Chinese medical treatment that involves repeatedly scraping the skin's surface with a specialized tool to induce localized congestion or bruising. This method aims to unblock meridians, promote blood circulation, resolve stasis, and regulate qi and blood. Known for its simplicity, convenience, affordability, and effectiveness, it is widely used in clinical practice and is suitable for both medical treatment and home healthcare. It can also be combined with therapies such as acupuncture, cupping, and bloodletting to enhance the effects of promoting blood circulation, resolving stasis, expelling pathogens, and detoxifying. Before undergoing Gua Sha, it is advisable to consult a professional TCM practitioner to ensure the therapy is suitable for your physical condition.

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What is Gua Sha Massage?

Gua Sha is guided by the theory of meridians and acupoints in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Using specially designed Gua Sha tools and specific techniques, a certain medium is applied to repeatedly scrape and rub the skin's surface. This causes local skin reactions such as red millet-like spots or dark red petechiae, known as "Sha" manifestations, thereby achieving the effect of promoting blood circulation and releasing Sha. Before Gua Sha, massage oil is applied to the skin to allow the tool to glide smoothly, which helps enhance blood circulation, detoxification, and accelerates the body's natural healing process.

In Singapore, gua sha therapy is gaining increasing popularity due to its natural and effective properties. This traditional Chinese medical treatment not only effectively relieves muscle tension but also promotes overall health, helping the body restore its internal balance.

As a renowned professional TCM institution in Singapore, GONG FANG TANG TCM Clinic perfectly integrates traditional gua sha therapy with modern health concepts. Our gua sha therapy offers the following advantages:

  • Performed by professional TCM practitioners to ensure safety and effectiveness
  • High-quality scraping tools for comfort without irritation
  • Personalized treatment plans tailored to different body types
  • Combined with TCM diagnosis for holistic treatment

Whether you're an office worker who sits for long hours, a fitness enthusiast, or someone pursuing a healthy lifestyle, the GONG FANG TANG TCM scraping therapy can offer you a unique wellness experience. We recommend:

For first-time experiences, opt for the 30-minute basic scraping session

Pairing with TCM consultation yields better results

After the session, keep warm and drink plenty of warm water

Welcome to experience this ancient and wise health-preserving method, let the scraping therapy safeguard your health.

What Are the Benefits and Effects of Gua Sha?

Gua Sha is guided by the theory of meridians and acupoints in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Using specially designed tools and specific techniques, a medium is applied to repeatedly scrape and rub the skin's surface, causing localized redness, millet-like rashes, or dark red petechiae known as "Sha." This process promotes blood circulation and releases Sha.

Gua Sha is a common therapeutic method in TCM, primarily offering benefits such as promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis, expelling pathogens and toxins, clearing heat and relieving external symptoms, easing spasms and pain, and balancing yin and yang. Clinically, it can assist in treating conditions like cervical spondylosis, colds, obesity, and mammary gland hyperplasia.

1. Promotes Blood Circulation and Resolves Stasis: Gua Sha stimulates muscle contraction, accelerates blood flow, and enhances metabolism, thereby speeding up the absorption and dissipation of localized edema and hematomas. It is commonly used in clinical practice to alleviate symptoms of cervical spondylosis, frozen shoulder, lumbar disc herniation, and similar conditions.

2. Eliminating Pathogens and Detoxification: Gua sha can unblock meridians, regulate qi and blood, and enhance endocrine regulatory functions, thereby promoting the expulsion of dampness and toxins. Clinically, it can be used to improve facial skin condition and assist in managing simple obesity.

3. Clearing Heat and Relieving Exterior Syndromes: Gua sha applied to specific acupoints or along meridians can also dispel wind-cold, disperse wind-heat, and other effects. Clinically, it is used to alleviate conditions such as colds and heatstroke.

4. Relieving Spasms and Pain: Traditional Chinese Medicine holds that pain often results from qi and blood deficiency or meridian blockages. Gua sha can regulate qi, activate blood circulation, and promote meridian unblocking, thereby achieving the effect of relieving spasms and pain. It can be used to reduce discomfort caused by conditions like mammary gland hyperplasia, mastitis, and stiff neck.

5. Balancing Yin and Yang: Specific techniques and directions of Gua sha can harmonize yin and yang, thereby improving organ function and addressing sleep disorders.

6. Other Effects: Gua sha also has the effect of strengthening the spleen and replenishing qi. Patients with various diseases can consult the Traditional Chinese Medicine department to determine whether they can undergo Gua sha therapy or health maintenance.

How Often Should You Perform Gua Sha?

Once every 1-2 weeks is generally appropriate.

Each individual's physical condition varies, and different age groups may require different intervals between Gua Sha sessions. Elderly individuals or those with weaker constitutions should wait at least 10 days between sessions, while younger individuals can perform Gua Sha once a week.

How Long After Gua Sha Can You Take a Bath?

After gua sha, the body's pores are in an expanded state, making it easier for external pathogens such as dampness, cold, and other harmful factors to invade through the open pores. Therefore, you should not take a bath immediately after gua sha. Generally, you can bathe after 6 hours. During bathing, avoid scrubbing or rubbing the skin. Additionally, after bathing, you can apply some moisturizer to the skin to help protect it.

When Should You Use Gua Sha?

Gua sha has no specific clinical indications and is typically used as an adjunctive therapy, suitable for the following patients:

Patients with recurrent colds, coughs, or generally weak immune systems.

Patients suffering from chronic cervical spondylosis, periarthritis of the shoulder, or lumbar muscle strain over an extended period.

Young men and women with recurrent acne or pimples that show little improvement with conventional treatments.

What are the steps of gua sha?

The scraping therapy procedure is mainly divided into the following three steps:

Preparation: Select the appropriate scraping area based on the condition and disinfect it with 75% alcohol. For patients allergic to alcohol, a hot towel or saline solution can be used for cleansing.

Scraping: First, apply an appropriate amount of scraping oil to the selected area. Then, choose a suitable scraping intensity according to the patient's age and the targeted area, and repeatedly scrape to achieve the desired "sha" effect.

Post-treatment: After scraping, clean the scraping oil from the skin using tissues or a damp towel. After a short rest, the scraping therapy is complete.

What should you do after a gua sha massage?

Self-care after gua sha is crucial as it can prolong the therapeutic effects and allow the body to fully absorb the health benefits. To maximize your gua sha experience, please follow these recommendations:

Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps accelerate the elimination of toxins from the body.

Avoid exposure to cold: After gua sha, avoid direct drafts or exposure to cold environments to prevent the invasion of cold energy.

Rest and relax: Give your body sufficient time to recover and fully absorb the regulating effects of gua sha.

Avoid strenuous exercise: On the day of gua sha treatment, refrain from intense physical activity or heavy lifting to allow the body to naturally adjust.

Moisturize the skin: If the skin becomes slightly sensitive after gua sha, use a mild moisturizer or soothing gel for care.

By following these simple yet essential care methods, you can maximize the lasting benefits of GONG FANG TANG TCM gua sha therapy, helping your body maintain health and vitality! For further consultation, feel free to contact our professional team anytime.

Cupping Frequently Asked Questions

  • Is Gua Sha an Anti-Aging Treatment?

    Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese therapy renowned for its remarkable cosmetic and healing effects, particularly effective in preventing and treating signs of aging such as wrinkles, sagging, and dark circles. It also promotes comprehensive skin regeneration from within. This is a natural and safe option.

  • Is Gua Sha Effective for Treating Cellulite?

    Edema, tension, and fluid retention can all be addressed through Body Gua Sha massage. When you use a Gua Sha tool to release tension and break down fascial adhesions, it stimulates blood circulation in the skin, allowing more nutrients to enter and waste to be expelled.

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    Can gua sha be used on the face?

    It is said that rubbing the skin's surface may help relieve tension, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. Gua sha is commonly used on the back, buttocks, neck, arms, and legs. It is also used as a facial treatment, employing a gentler version.

  • How often should you gua sha per week?

    Gua sha is recommended once a week, with frequency adjusted based on your skin type and tolerance for the procedure. As you become more familiar and comfortable with the technique, it is suggested to use it at least two to three times per week.

  • What are the effects of gua sha?

    Gua sha has been proven to help relieve facial tension, reduce puffiness and inflammation, and even alleviate sinus pressure.

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