Gua Sha + Cupping
Gua sha and baguan, or cupping as it is more commonly known, are important hands-on medical treatments that have been used throughout Asia for centuries. Gua sha uses a pressing or stroking technique while cupping creates a suction between a glass cup and the skin surface.
Both techniques produce marks called sha or transitory therapeutic petechiae, which fade over the course of days and result in numerous, far-reaching effects including improved range of motion, reduction in pain, and improved circulation. The colour of sha and the rate in which it fades indicate important information about a patient’s condition.
It’s important to understand that sha is not bruising. Bruises occur from traumatic injury to the bodily tissues whereas sha is intentionally created without causing harm and has therapeutic value.
Gua sha and cupping can help to resolve spasms and pain and improve normal circulation to muscles, tissues and organs as well as reduce inflammation and stimulate the immune system. Gua sha and cupping are often done in combination with acupuncture for problems that acupuncture alone cannot address.
While cupping and gua sha may look dramatic, it is not a painful technique. In fact it feels good, and can produce an almost immediate relief in pain, such as a stiff neck or shoulder pain.
A Gua sha treatment at West Toronto Acupuncture involves single use, stainless steel caps to ensure the highest level of sterility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do cupping and gua sha leave bruises?
No, the markings produced by cupping and gua sha are not the same as a bruise. These marks are called transitory petechiae and in TCM we call it sha, and unlike a bruise sha has therapeutic value. Sha is intentionally created using cupping or gua sha and produces myriad beneficial effects that persist even after the marks fade.
What’s the difference between glass cups and silicone cups?
Silicone cups are flexible and their suction is created by the practitioner squeezing them before applying them to the surface of the body. The amount of suction they produce is less intense than glass cups but their flexibility allows them to be used over irregular shaped areas of the body where glass cups won’t work as well.
Glass cups are inflexible and being made of glass allow us to use a flame to remove the oxygen from the cup before it is placed on the body. This is also called fire cupping. Glass cups produce a stronger suction and therefore can affect deeper levels of tissue. Because the lip of the cup is firm and inflexible, glass cups work best over larger surfaces of the body such as the back, chest, legs or arms.
How long does sha take to fade?
Sha can take between 3-7 days to completely fade away. The rate at which sha fades provides important information about your unique constitution such as how your qi and blood are circulating.
What tool do you use to perform gua sha?
I use single use, stainless steel caps for gua sha. This is best practice for clinical settings as each patient is guaranteed a sterile tool for their treatment. Traditionally tools are made from jade, horn or other materials, and while these tools are effective and in many ways superior, it is better to use them for personal use only.