There is no completely accurate answer to the question of is gua sha really worth it? This is more of a subjective question. As for subjective questions, it is not easy to get an objective answer. Our answer is: worth it but not worth it either. Quite a confusing answer, right? But this seems to us to be the correct answer. Because for some people, scraping does bring benefits to them, but for some people, scraping has no effect.
Today, we will explain Gua Sha, a medical technology from the ancient East, in many aspects. These will give you an idea of whether it’s worth it for you.
1. What is Gua Sha?
There are many articles introducing Gua Sha, including the origin, development and spread of Gua Sha, etc. Therefore, we will not spend a lot of space introducing the Gua Sha tool, but will only briefly explain it.
Gua Sha originated in China. Civilians in ancient China discovered that when they used meteorites to scrape the painful areas, the pain was significantly improved. So this discovery spread among the people, and it was initially called “Bianstone Therapy”. With the continuous improvement of meteorite therapy, Gua Sha was eventually formed. However, before modern times, scraping had always been a folk medical method and was not included in orthodox traditional Chinese medicine. Therefore, there is not enough literature or research to prove the actual efficacy of scraping, and it is more based on experience.
2. Reasons Why Gua Sha Really Worth It
There are two main reasons why gua sha really worth it. One is the effect it can bring to people, and the other is the historical significance of its existence. Just like many products or cultures nowadays, although it seems that there is no need to exist in the current era, it is still preserved as a kind of historical heritage.
Health Benefits of Gua Sha
- Improve circulation in the body. Through experiments and people’s personal experience. After scraping, the human body can clearly feel the temperature of the scraped area rising. This is mainly because the friction during scraping and the slight damage to the epidermis stimulate the body’s immune system, thus increasing the body’s circulation speed.
- Relieve pain. Gua Sha can significantly improve local pain caused by muscle strain and stiffness. This disease is mostly caused by muscle and fascial adhesion caused by long-term movement and fixed posture in certain areas of the body. Gua Sha can effectively open up adhesions in these areas, thereby relieving pain.
- Reduce stress. Found through research. Massaging the head, neck and other areas can effectively relieve mental stress. This is because massage accelerates internal circulation in the head area and stimulates the release of dopamine in the body, thereby relieving mental stress. As one of the massage tools, Gua Sha naturally also has this function.
Cultural and Historical Significance
- The perspective of traditional Chinese medicine. Although Gua Sha has not been included in orthodox Chinese medicine since its inception, it has been widely spread among the people and has benefited a large number of poor people at the bottom who cannot experience orthodox Chinese medicine. And with the continuous research and improvement of Gua Sha, it has gradually been incorporated into orthodox Chinese medicine theory.
- Practices that have long existed in various cultures
As stated in the first article. Gua Sha is of great significance to the poor people at the bottom of ancient China and even in modern times. And as it spread throughout Southeast Asia, it also existed and played its role in these cultures for a long time.
Reasons Why Gua Sha May not be Worth It
Gua Sha, of course, also has certain negative risks, which is why whether it is worth it depends on the individual’s actual situation. There are two main reasons why gua sha is not worth it, the potential risks/side effects and the scientific basis for it.
Potential Risks and Side Effects
- Skin irritation. Gua Sha is a treatment method that stimulates the body’s immune system and speeds up circulation by causing tiny damage to the body’s epidermis and even muscles. During the scratching process, it will inevitably cause irritation to the epidermis. This stimulation varies from person to person. Some people may have major adverse reactions, while others may only have slightly reddish skin.
- Bruises. You will find it through various videos, pictures, etc. you see online. People who do Gua Sha often have bruises and redness on their skin surface. This is due to rupture of blood vessels under the skin. When congestion occurs, it is easy for bruises to form soon after. This symptom is not long-lasting and will gradually recover as the epidermis repairs.
Lack of Scientific Evidence
As we mentioned, Gua Sha is not part of orthodox Chinese medicine. Therefore, there is insufficient research and theoretical support for its efficacy. And the treatment method that relies on damage first and then repair is contrary to the mainstream medicine before Ming Dynasty. Therefore, the trust in Gua Sha will gradually change as the research continues to deepen. But at present, it still faces a lot of doubts.
5. Conclusion on Is Gua Sha Really Worth It?
Let us review several perspectives on this issue. The main reason why Gua Sha is considered worthwhile is its practical effect and historical significance, while those who don’t agree with it believe that it lacks scientific research and judgment and has potential risks. Everything has two sides. In this regard, we strongly recommend that you use it first and make judgments instead of just trusting the feedback brought by external channels. Whether it’s worth it or not depends on you trying it to get the most correct answer.
