The Benefits of Skin Scraping Therapy
Traditional Chinese medicine stresses immensely on natural therapies that heal and cure without causing any side effects. Skin scraping or Gua Sha, as it is called in traditional terminology, is one such therapy advocated strongly by slimming centers these days. It is based on the skin theory. A host of tools including ox horn, jade and cupping jars along with liniment on them are used for rubbing and scraping specific body parts by pressing against the skin repeatedly and vigorously.
What is the Theory behind Skin Scraping?
Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese healing therapy where the repeated rubbing and scraping against the skin dredges the channels and stimulates blood circulation. This works in dissipating the blood stasis throughout the body. It also brings with it several benefits. We look at some advantages of skin scraping therapy.
It Helps Prevent Diseases
Skin scraping prevents the occurrence of diseases in healthy individuals and prevents diseases already present, from deteriorating further. According to the Chinese medicine theory, the health and function of the skin is reliant on Wei energy. And this energy is generated from the upper energizer, pushed by the lungs and circulated through the skin. When a smooth flow of Wei energy can be maintained, the skin can protect the body well. The stronger the Wei, the less vulnerable the body is to diseases and infections.
Balances Yin and Yang
Skin scraping helps in the balancing of Yin Yang in the viscera. It helps to slow down or normalize the peristaltic movement in people where it is too fast and speeds it up suitably for those who experience extremely slow peristaltic movement.
Relaxes Muscle Tendons and Relieves Pain
Skin scraping helps improve blood circulation and enhances the body temperature. This helps in relaxing the muscles and relieving pain. In some cases, it also increases the threshold of pain in specific parts of the body by using tools like scraping boards. Skin scraping also dredges collateral channels and relieves pain. Clinically, muscle pain and tension are linked to each other. Where there is pain, there is tension. Skin scraping works by bringing down muscle pain and hence reduces muscle tension too.
Useful in Removing Toxins
The process of rubbing vigorously against the skin with specified tools increase the lymph and blood circulation in the body. This is why they carry toxins and waste from the body more efficiently and rapidly. This process helps in purifying the blood and boosting the immune system. This is why it also helps the body to recover from diseases faster.
Useful in Modern Therapies
In these modern times, skin scraping is also being used by reputed slimming centers to facilitate weight loss, remove freckles, body toning and so on. The tools for carrying out this process are being improvised for suiting different body parts. Improvised scraping therapies are being resorted to.
It is important to seek skin scraping therapy from experienced and well trained Chinese medicine therapists or treatment centers. The manner in which the treatment is imparted should be correct for the body to realize the benefits in entirety.
