As one of the precious heritage of Chinese medicine and Chinese culture, Skin scraping (刮痧) is an ancient traditional natural health care with non-drug. It widely spread in folk for thousands of years, welcomed by the masses. Based on the meridian and acupoint theory of Chinese medicine, skin scraping is a process by using special tools such as ox horn, jade, coin, spoon to scrape and rub repeatedly the skin until the appearance of red blood spot to dredge the channel and to dissipate blood stasis. Regular Skin Scraping is helpful to adjust the qi, relieve fatigue, and improve one's immune system.
Skin scraping means “ 刮痧” in Chinese character. “痧” comes from “沙” (sand in English), which refers to a kind of symptom. After the scraping, the skin might show red, black and blue spots just like sand, hence the name "Gua Sha (刮痧)". The Sha bump should become shallow in 2~4 days.
Original
During the Paleolithic age, people touched or knocked certain parts of body instinctively when getting sick to relieve pain. As a long-term development and accumulation, stone needle treatment method gradually was formed. Skin scraping therapy is the continuation and development of stone needle treatment.
Due to historical reasons, skin scraping and many other practical skills are often reviewed as unpresentable insignificant skill. It was scattered in folk for a long time and did not get enough attention. For recent years, skin scraping gains recognition in the practice process. It is sure than more and more people will acknowledge and accept skin scraping as acupuncture, cupping as well as massage.
Tool
The common skin scraping tools encompass scraping plate and scraping oil.
Scraping Plate
The material of scarping tool is not fixed. Many common tools can be used as scraping tools such as coin, spoon, clamshell, silver dollar,etc.
Ox horn ---Ox horn is primarily used in skin scraping, because ox horn has advantage of activating blood circulation, dispersing swelling and clearing away the heat and detoxify. Ox horn is smooth and tough enough to make use. Ox horn is forbidden to bake over a fire or soak in hot water for a long time. It should be wiped dry and covered olive oil, kept in sheath.
Jade ---For its smooth texture and comfortable feel, jade is suitable for face scraping. The main function of jade is tranquilizing and allaying excitement. Remember to clean. Avoid colliding and touching with chemical reagent.
Stone needle---Stone needle is made from Si Bing Fu stone, which contains a few of microelement. It can warm up the partial skin and clean up the heat and detoxification. You should pay more attention for purchasing stone needle, because it may contains hazardous substances.
Scraping oil
Cold water, vegetable oils (such as sesame oil, tea seed oil, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, peanut oil, olive oil), medicated oil (such as safflower oil bruises, rheumatism oil) could be used as scraping oil. They can not only to prevent scraping plates draw hurt the skin, but also play a moisturizing skin pores open vent effect, blood gas line. In addition, you can choose Chinese medicines which have the function to clean up heat and activate blood circulation to dissipate blood stasis.
Add On: Traditional Medicine
Acupuncture
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