...was the topic of the last Chinese Medicine class. (I actually wrote an entry yesterday but my internet failed...). Like cupping the purpose of Gua Sha is to enhance the blood circulation and stimulate the meridians (which is certain points on the body that connects to organs). A good flow of blood is essential to rinse out waste products, but in Chinese medicine it's called evil Qi, from the muscles. Also, blood contains nutrients, oxygen, minerals and hormones that maintain functions of the body.
So, what is Gua Sha? Practically on uses a flat item (even a credit card is ok) and some baby oil or lotion and scratch on the neck, shoulders and back. There are many meridian points on the back side of the body. If the person's blood circulation is mediocre the scratching will leave red marks for a long time, otherwise the bruises will disappear in a few hours. Gua sha is good when you for example have a cold, have stiff muscles or need to help the blood to circulate.
In the end of the class one could practice Gua Sha. I felt a little bit stiff in the neck so I wanted to try it out and another student did it on me. After a while the skin turned really red, I guess I have quite bad blood circulation. It felt like a light massage. However, the teacher adviced me to rest and keep the neck warm.
My neck after Gua sha. I think I have to explain the picture (no, nobody has hit me!). It did not hurt at all just looks nasty and more bad than it actually is.
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