Gua Sha Treatments Serving Wheat Ridge, Arvada, and the Denver Metro

Gua Sha is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that, much like acupuncture, is aimed at balancing out internal energy flows. However, gua sha does this in a different way. Gua Sha - pronounced ‘gwahshah’ - originates from the Chinese word for scraping. This technique is a form of massage stimulation that requires a tool with a rounded edge. This tool is held in the hand of your acupuncturist in which they use in a sweeping or  “scraping” motion while applying pressure to the skin. This technique may also be referred to as “spooning” or “coining.” During this process, your acupuncturist can determine areas oh the body that will require more attention to release tense muscles and promote healthy blood flow in surrounding tissue. Gua sha can be combined with acupuncture or other modalities for a relaxing, whole-body health experience.

At Lotus Studio Acupuncture, we strive for the health and balance of the whole body. We can combine gua sha, acupuncture, and other treatments to ensure that you are functioning and feeling your best. To discuss gua sha treatments with our team, please contact us today at 303-882-6169. We are thrilled to help those interested in gua sha in Denver, Arvada, and the Wheat Ridge areas.

According to traditional Chinese medicine, qi (pronounced ‘chee’) is energy flowing through the body. It is believed that your health and wellness is significantly affected by whether or not your qi is freely flowing and in a state of balance. Energy can become blocked in certain areas, causing muscle tension, pain, and illness. Gua Sha is a form of massage stimulation using long, sweeping strokes along any areas of the body where there is an energy blockage. It can help to release unhealthy muscle adhesions, promote healthy blood flow, and allow your qi to come back to a state of balance.

Receiving gua sha treatments has been known to increase the blood flow to the skin’s surface exponentially. This has a number of health benefits such as relaxation of tight muscles, improvement in circulation, and a decrease in stress. It can aid in the function of the immune and lymphatic systems by increasing circulation, therefore dispersing toxins and allowing them to be better processed and filtered by the body. Healthy blood can then recirculate throughout the body, simultaneously boosting immunity and reducing inflammation.

Gua sha has been used to remedy a wide range of ailments including, but not limited to:

• Muscle tension
• Stiffness
• Migraines
• Fever or chills
• Coughing or wheezing
• Nausea and vomiting
• Inflammation

Gua Sha involves long, sweeping strokes along areas of the body with a small tool, but the skin is lubricated with an oil or lotion so it will glide with ease across the skin. The press-stroke of the instrument can cause the tiny blood vessels at the skin’s surface to rupture, creating small red or purple bruises. These are referred to as petechiae or sha.

The sha generally fades within 2-3 days of your treatment and may be tender afterward, but should not be particularly painful. Many people associate redness or bruising on the skin with pain, but with gua sha, it is a sign of healing and some report feeling more energy and weightlessness after a treatment.

We love serving the communities of Wheat Ridge, Arvada, and Denver for any gua sha, cupping, or acupuncture needs. If you’d like to discuss how gua sha treatments can help you, please contact Lotus Studio Acupuncture today by calling 303-882-6169 or fill out our contact form to learn how you can be on your way to a healthy mind, body, and spirit.