What are the effects and functions of Gua Sha and cupping therapy?
Jan 25, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Gua Sha can remove dampness and toxins, promote blood circulation, relieve muscle tension, regulate yin-yang balance, and clear internal heat. Cupping therapy can unblock meridians, activate blood circulation to remove blood stasis, dispel wind and cold, regulate organ functions, and detoxify to improve complexion. Both are traditional Chinese medical treatments. Although they offer many benefits, they should be performed with caution and not too frequently. It is also recommended to undergo these treatments under a doctor's guidance to ensure safety and effectiveness.
Generally speaking, the functions and benefits of Gua Sha include removing dampness and toxins, promoting blood circulation, relieving muscle tension, regulating yin and yang, and clearing heat from the body's surface. Cupping therapy mainly functions to unblock meridians, activate blood circulation and resolve blood stasis, dispel wind and cold, regulate internal organs, remove toxins, and beautify the skin. If any discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed analysis is as follows:
I. Functions and Benefits of Gua Sha
1. Removing Dampness and Toxins
Gua Sha stimulates meridians and acupoints, accelerates metabolism, alleviates discomfort caused by excessive dampness, promotes toxin elimination, and assists in improving skin condition.
2. Promoting Blood Circulation
Gua Sha dilates blood vessels, improves blood circulation, and alleviates symptoms such as numbness, edema, and pain caused by poor circulation.
3. Relieving Muscle Tension
Gua Sha helps muscles stay relaxed, reducing discomfort caused by muscle tension, such as stiffness and swelling.
4. Regulating Yin and Yang
Gua Sha balances yin and yang, helping maintain equilibrium, improving sleep quality, and relieving symptoms like insomnia and frequent dreaming.
5. Clearing Heat from the Surface of the Body
Gua Sha has the effect of clearing superficial heat, helping dispel wind-cold and wind-heat, and alleviating symptoms such as fever and fatigue caused by conditions like summerheat or wind-heat感冒.
II. Functions and Benefits of Cupping Therapy
1. Unblocking Meridians
Cupping uses negative pressure to stimulate meridians and acupoints, helping eliminate pathological products such as blood stasis and edema. It is commonly used to treat injuries, rheumatic pain, and other conditions.
2. Activating Blood Circulation and Resolving Stasis
Cupping activates blood circulation and resolves blood stasis, restoring normal blood flow and relieving symptoms like neck and shoulder stiffness and muscle pain caused by poor circulation.
3. Dispelling Wind and Cold
Cupping removes cold and dampness from the body, alleviating discomfort caused by excessive cold-dampness, such as abdominal cold pain and thick腻 tongue coating.
4. Regulating Internal Organs
Cupping helps regulate the internal organs, restoring their normal function, enhancing immunity, and improving overall physical condition.
5. Removing Toxins and Beautifying the Skin
Cupping aids in detoxification and beautifying the skin. After eliminating toxins from the body, it can improve skin problems such as dullness and rough texture.
Although both cupping and Gua Sha offer many benefits, their frequency should be controlled to avoid discomfort caused by excessive use. For safety, these treatments should be performed under a doctor's guidance.
