Guasha & CuppingGuasha and cupping are two soft tisuue techniques borrowed from Chinese medicine that all practitioners at MassageCraft are trained to do. Gua sha or “scraping sand” is a method of moving blood obstruction in the tissues. To put this in Western terms guasha increases circulation and breaks up adhesions that have been lodged in muscles. At MassageCraft we use porcelain spoons that have a blunt edge suited to the short scraping strokes applied to a tight muscle. The result is visually spectacular. If there is “sha” the area will become reddish purple and speckled like sand. This is evidence of obstructed blood in the region. The marking will fade in 3 to 4 days. The client will feel immediate relief and increased range of motion but may be slighty sore to the touch for a few days. The area will mark less and fade quicker with each successive application as the blood obstruction disappears and the tissue becomes healthy. Guasha is especially effective at getting at old tissue trauma from car accidents and falls. It is sometimes the only thing that gets deep enough when massage, acupuncture and heat alone have failed to eliminate pain and tightness. Cupping has been practiced in the eastern and western hemispheres. Originally known as “fire cupping’ in China, a glass jar or globe is heated and applied to the skin. The heat creates a vacuum and pulls the skin in to the cup. At MassageCraft we use cups with a valve and a pump to create the suction. The cup is either static on a single point or the practitioner glides it over the surface of the skin for a more vigorous application. The result is similar to guasha in that tight areas will become reddish purple and speckled, and then fade over a few days. Cupping is slightly less vigorous and more easily tolerated than guasha. Like gua sha it moves obstructed blood and it releases an exterior layer of protective chi that the Chinese call the wei chi. Wei chi is associated with our immune system. Sometimes factors like cold and damp penetrate through our protective wei chi and get lodged in our tissues. Cupping temporarily opens this protective layer to allow the cold or damp to escape. It is used most commonly on the upper back and chest to alleviate the symptoms of a cold, asthma and sinus issues. It is used on the lower back and extremities to reduce pain and tightness. Static cups are used on the abdomen to address digestive complaints. Guasha and cupping integrate well in to any massage or acupuncture treatment. We encourage our clients to acquire their own guasha spoons and cupping sets so they can continue the treatments at home for long lasting results.
Please heed the following contraindications: • Not over inflammation • Lumps • Skin ulcerations, include. Scabs, moles or bruises or sunburns • Someone weak or deficient. Recommend scrubbing entire body with a loofa, instead • Abdomen or low back of pregnant women • Clotting problems or blood diseases, including vericose veins • A cramped muscle • Bony areas |
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