If you’re feeling dull aches on the inside of your shin bone either before, during, or after a workout, chances are you are experiencing shin splints. Shin splints are a very common injury in running and jumping activities but knowing how to treat them is not so common. Although shin splint pain feels like it resonates from the bone, muscle … Read More
The Evidence and Science Behind Gua Sha
Centered around a mysterious, invisible set of energy pathways and with techniques that baffle the Western mind, traditional Chinese medicine can seem esoteric, to say the least. In that regard, gua sha, the therapeutic method of scraping the skin to alleviate pain and improve health certainly doesn’t disappoint. An ancient and maybe one of the earliest known medical practices, gua … Read More
Gua Sha vs. Foam Roller – Which is better?
If you are an athlete you have probably experienced firsthand the pain and frustration that comes from being sidelined with an injury. We’ve all been there and know that there’s only so much you can accomplish with rest and Advil before you start looking for something drug-free that will get you back in the game. Two such techniques: gua sha … Read More
What Are Meridian Lines? And What Is Their Role in Gua Sha and Acupuncture?
Many centuries ago Chinese philosophers and healers began to study the rich and complex natural phenomena of life. They carefully observed the environment around us, and also the human body. They noticed patterns in how nature’s energies flow, and also how all things are subject to universal laws. From these roots Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) grew into a comprehensive system, … Read More
Gua Sha vs. Cupping – Which one is better?
Is Old the New “New?” An estimated 4.5 million Americans visit the emergency room or doctor’s office because of an adverse reaction to medication, and an additional 2 million individuals already hospitalized experience an adverse drug response. This statistic resonates with many people, therefore in Western society there is a movement away from medications and invasive procedures to relieve pain … Read More
Gua Sha vs. Graston – What is the difference?
There are a variety of Instrument Assisted Soft Tissue Techniques in the world of rehabilitation and musculoskeletal care. The two very popular and different techniques are Gua Sha and Graston. The main idea for both these techniques is to heal the body by intentionally producing micro-traumas in specific regions to bring heat to the area. Although both tools are addressing … Read More
What is Gua Sha Therapy and how does it work?
What is Gua Sha and it’s History The first written records of gua sha date back 700 years, to the era of the Ming Dynasty, though, the practice is thought to be much older than that, perhaps having been discovered in prehistoric times as the simple reflex of rubbing a painful area to make the pain go away. The term … Read More
Does Gua Sha help reduce wrinkles?
Gua sha has remained popular in the East over many centuries – and for very good reasons. Besides the benefits to the body, which include relieving congestion, reducing pain, and getting rid of toxins, the technique is also often used as a “natural face-lift.” Since ancient times Asian women have used it to effectively fight the signs of ageing. Dr. … Read More
Does Gua Sha Hurt and Is It Dangerous?
Gua sha is a traditional healing technique that originated in the Far East. It has a long history, and it is still very popular in Asia, where millions of ordinary people use it to relieve congestion and muscle pain, but it is still not very well-known in the West. Because people don’t know much about it, there are a lot … Read More