A few months ago, at the end of an acupuncture session, my practitioner offered gua sha on my back as an add-on treatment and the wellness guinea pig in me was intrigued. Spoiler: Listen, I've been hooked ever since!
First of all, it's important to note that gua sha - which involves a tool that "scrapes" tense areas of the body to stimulate blood flow and energy flow - is not a new fad. "For traditional Chinese medicine practitioners and people of East Asian descent, gua sha is a centuries-old, revered, and beloved healing practice," says acupuncturist and Chinese herbalist Sandra Lanshin Chiu.
Behind that stone tool - and those marks on your skin post-usage - live some real benefits. But gua sha is often described incorrectly, so know which claims are legit (next up!), plus the science and history behind this ritual.
Gua sha rubs away the pain, swelling, you name it.
FOR REAL!
Esta historia es de la edición September - October 2022 de Women's Health South Africa.
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Esta historia es de la edición September - October 2022 de Women's Health South Africa.
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