Guasha Flashcards
After treatment advice
Lingering pathogens can be released so Wei and ying qi need to be nourished through, diet, exercise, rest, sleep.
No cold or sour foods or drinks after treatment
Marks should disappear within 2-3 days
What is the actions of gua sha?
It works at the tai yang and shaoyang levels. It moves and circulates the Jin and releases blood trapped in the peripheral capillaries at the cou li.
Resolves obstruction of qi and blood
Moves Jin fluids
Release the exterior , stabilizes the surface
Moves metabolic waste that is contesting surface tissues and muscles
Indications for gua sha
Pain related to Wind, cold, stagnant qi and blood in the surface tissues.
Used in any pain or constriction, acute or chronic( in most cases related to qi and blood stasis, or body fluids and blockage in channels in most cases due to an epf.
Gua sha is a technique that releases the cold wind in the surface of the body.
Sha appears around the site of pain
Contraindications
Fresh injury with bruises and or abrasions
Sunburn rash or skin lesion
Pimples or moles
Abdomen of pregnant woman
When petechiae of last treatment hasn’t dissapeared
Caution
On soft skin, yin aspects of the body
Very deficient patients
Diagnosis of sha
Very light coloured- blood deficiency
Bright red - acute conditions or invasion of a pathogen
Purple or black sha- chronic qi and blood stasis
Dark red sha- heat condition, eventually heat in blood
Brown sha- dry blood
In general if sha is dark, it indicates more chronic condition, and if it’s light more acute
How do u apply gua sha
Mainly to the yang aspect, sometimes, chest and abdomen.
Start at midline and after sha appears proceed to the outside , first UB line and second UB line,then flanks. Cranial strokes to caudal, medial to lateral.
For occipital area it’s from occiput to hairline.
On buttocks medial to lateral and proximal to distal
In a specific area of disease, start above and go below lesion.
Where to look for sha
For upper body, and extremities : neck, upper back, shoulders
Internal problems: check back and Ashi points
Upper jiao: neck to t5
Middle jiao: t5 to l1
Lower: l1 to coccyx
Check back shu and front mu
Check trigger points along area of pain
