Gua Sha, The Body Mind Connection, and its Benefits on Skincare and Health

As a massage therapist, the modalities that I choose to incorporate depends on the specific needs of my client. And one that I like to include, especially during facial massage, is Gua Sha.

Gua Sha, a long practiced therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine defined as "scraping red spots on the skin", is a form of scraping/pressing/angular kneading massage that promotes proper blood & energy flow within the body's channels/meridians.

When these channels aren't flowing properly, the stagnation created causes disease & toxin buildup within the body that later manifest into various ailments that affect quality of life.

Gua Sha face rollers are typically made from crystal but can also be made from stainless steel or stone. Gua sha tools for larger areas of the body come in flatter, handheld shape and can be made from crystal, stainless steel and stone as well.

Gua-sha massage helps to improve the immune system functions, promote proper lymph drainage & adjust the body's overall homeostasis.

Much like foot reflexology, there are many areas in the face that correlate with the different organ systems.

Those that have an understanding of the Body-Mind connection are also aware that these different organ systems can be associated with different emotions and can also manifest into different diseases...

This combination of acupressure points listed below can help to relieve blockages within their associated channels that can manifest as headaches, toothaches, TMJ syndrome (pain in the jaw joint & surrounding muscles), and even puffiness around the eyes!

Acupressure Points and their Locations

1. STOMACH 8 Located about 5 finger widths above the end of the brow in the corner of he forehead, this point benefits eye health and when steady pressure is applied can alleviate headaches/migraines with nausea, dizziness, blurry vision, eyelid twitching, eye pain, excessive tearing and hairloss.

2. GALL BLADDER 14 Located about 1 finger width above the mid-brow. This point when stimulated can assist with temporary facial paralysis, blurry vision, eye pain, vertigo, headaches, eyelid twitch/difficulty.

3. YINTANG This point is located right between the brows, what most people know as the 3rd eye. This acupressure point is one of the best ones to use for calming the mind, anxiety relief, mental stability, insomnia, clearing nasal passages, headache relief, intuitive accessibility & stimulation.

4. TAIYANG This point is located at in the depression of the temple just above the outer cheekbone. This point is a great one to use for temporal headaches, unilateral (one sided) headaches and eye disorders. Some indications that this point should be relieved is experiencing toothaches, optic atrophy (weakened eye muscles), dizziness and facial paralysis.

5. GALL BLADDER 1 Located in the depression just outside of the outer eye, more medial (closer to the center of the body) of Taiyang. This point acts very similarly to the Taiyang point and also relieves red & itchy eyes, dry eyes, and eye disorders related to deteriorating vision

6. STOMACH 1 Located right below the pupil on the infraorbital ridge (the bone just below the eye). This point has very similar effects as Gall Bladder 1; providing relief to red, swollen eyes, twitching eyelids and difficulty with night vision.

7. LARGE INTESTINE 20 Located in the depression just outside of the nostril. This point is ideal for alleviating acute and chronic nasal congestion, rhinitis (runnynose) caused by allergies, loss sense of smell, stopping nosebleeds and itchy face.

8. QIANZHENG Located about 1 finger width away from the earlobe. The body will indicate that this point needs to be stimulated when deviation of the eyes is present as well as ulcers on the tongue and mouth. It's also used clinically to help with symptoms related to different facial issues including facial paralysis & bell's palsy.

9. STOMACH 6 Located about 1 finger with above the end of the bottom jawline (you can find it by placing your finger on the end of your jawline & clenching your teeth; it will be where the muscle activates when teeth are clenched). This point is great for teeth and facial issues including toothaches, lockjaw, TMJ (pain at or near the jaw joint), Bell's palsy & facial paralysis, voice loss, and deviation of the mouth & face.

10. STOMACH 4 Located outside the corner of the mouth, directly beneath the pupil. This point is very similar to Stomach 6 as it assists with jaw & facial disorders. It also helps with eye disorders including twitching & night vision issues, and clinically may be helpful for muscle atrophy and leg movement issues.

    

    A face mapping chart illustrating the connection between acne and skin conditions on certain facial regions and various organ systems.

HOW TO STIMULATE ACUPRESSURE POINTS USING GUA SHA

The best way to stimulate these points using gua sha is to first massage gua sha oil to your face; using your gua sha stone, apply light pressure while gliding your gua sha stone along your skin and over these points. You can then use the ends or flat surface of your gua sha stone to hold pressure in place and rub the acupressure points in a circular motion.

Pay attention to the tender areas, which side is more tender than others and notice what emotions may come up during your sessions.

This can be done as often as you'd like, but try starting with 2x daily then increase as you see fit.

Interested in receiving the benefits of acupressure and gua sha during your next massage? Be sure to click on the BOOK A SESSION button on our WELCOME PAGE or send me an email to akila@theafrobohemiya.com to ask any questions you may have about what to expect from a therapeutic massage appointment with me!