Benefits of Gua Sha Body Massage
Gua sha massages help improve blood flow and they are believed to lessen the toxins in your body as well. Gua sha has been used for a long time to relieve pain in the body, but it can also help with problems such as perimenopausal symptoms, migraines, and even conditions such as Tourette’s syndrome.
While more studies need to be completed to verify these results, it does seem to work well in relieving chronic pain and that belief is supported by the studies already conducted.
Since gua sha is a type of massage, it is good for releasing toxins, increasing blood circulation, and relieving pain and soreness in the muscles and bones. It is often used in conjunction with other natural healing methods, such as acupuncture, lifestyle changes, and even aromatherapy.
As with any other pain-relieving procedure, you should talk to your doctor first to see if it’s right for you. Gua sha isn’t for everyone; for instance, it should be avoided by people who are taking medication to prevent blood clots.
How Does Gua Sha Help Treat Cellulite?
While gua sha is used mostly for pain, especially chronic pain, it can also be used to get rid of cellulite.
Why? Mainly because it stimulates blood flow and circulation. Because of this, it can reduce skin inflammation, improve the immune system, decrease body fat, and even reduce cellulite lines.
In fact, gua sha massages can improve micro-circulation in a healthy individual by up to 400%, which is one of the reasons why it is so good at reducing the look of cellulite.
Because toxins are being flushed out, the skin becomes firmer and any built-up fluid in the body will be released.
Once the body releases excess fat and nutrients, they can be replaced by eating a healthy diet. All of these things mean that along with firmer skin and fewer toxins, your cellulite lines will all but disappear.
How to Use Gua Sha for Cellulite?
If you choose to get your own gua sha tool, make sure that you read the manufacturer’s instructions and follow them to the letter. As a general rule, the tool should be used until you see a little redness. You don’t want it to hurt, but in order for it to work, you need to apply enough pressure to see a little redness in the skin.
How Often Can I Use It?
You can use your gua sha device as often as you like, but it is recommended that you use it only two or three times per week. The reason is that there will be redness and maybe some inflammation after each treatment, and you don’t want that to become so severe that it’s painful for you.
If your skin isn’t affected that much — each person is different — you can use the treatment every other day, but two or three times a week is usually what is recommended. Also keep in mind that if you do experience a lot of redness or any type of irritation, pain, or tenderness, you should skip the treatment for that day so the problems don’t get worse.
Even after you get the results you want, performing the massage twice a week will help keep those results so that you can enjoy them much longer. Twice-a-week treatments are perfect for maintaining the look that the previous treatments accomplished.
Best Gua Sha Tool for Cellulite
Gua sha tools come in many different types and shapes. Most are made out of stainless steel, jade, or some type of stone. There are S-shaped devices, fin- or wing-shaped, dolphin-shaped, spoon-shaped, crescent-shaped, and several others.
It really doesn’t matter what type you get for getting rid of cellulite, but since you’ll likely be working on large areas of skin, e.g., legs and tummies, it might be good to get a device that is big enough to cover a large area of skin at one time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How Long Does It Take for Gua Sha to Work?
A: It depends on your individual situation, but most people don’t see real results until several weeks have passed. Using the treatment for four to six weeks is often the minimum that you need to see results, but you will see them if you stick with the routine and be consistent.
Q: Is Gua Sha Safe?
A: Yes, it is, but it shouldn’t be used by certain individuals, including those who bleed easily, have a medical issue with their veins or skin, have an infection, have recently had surgery, or those who have any artificial device (think pacemaker) in their bodies. If you have any concerns, discuss them with your doctor before starting gua sha.
Q: How Do I Clean My Gua Sha?
A: First, use a microfiber cloth to remove any debris, then soak it in a bowl of water and mild soap. After it soaks for a while, you can let it air dry until your next session.
Q: Can You Use Gua Sha Without Oil?
A: You should never use your gua sha device without some type of oil or balm. Oil does two things that are very important. First, the treatment will be easier and more comfortable with the oil; second, using oil on the skin first means that it won’t bruise or cut the skin during the treatment.
Final Thoughts
Gua sha treatments can do some amazing things, and whether you visit a practitioner or do the treatment yourself, you’ll be pleasantly surprised with the results. Gua sha massages are safe and effective overall, and they can help with all types of pain and various skin issues. If you have a medical condition, it’s always best to check with your doctor before utilizing the treatments; however, for most people, they are very safe and produce great results.