Can the breasts be treated with gua sha?
Jan 25, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhang Xiuhong
Introduction
Whether or not to perform guasha (scraping therapy) on the breast area should be determined based on individual circumstances. If there is no tumor but conditions such as blood stasis or swelling are present, guasha may be performed under a physician's guidance to promote blood circulation, resolve stasis, and unblock meridians. However, if there is a breast tumor, such as a fibroadenoma or breast cancer, guasha should be avoided to prevent skin damage, increased risk of infection, or potential tumor growth.
Generally speaking, whether the breasts can be treated with Gua Sha mainly depends on individual conditions. If there is no tumor in the breast area, Gua Sha can usually be appropriately performed. However, if there is a tumor present in the breast, Gua Sha is not advisable. If any discomfort occurs, timely medical consultation is recommended. Detailed explanations are as follows:
If there is currently no tumor in the breast, including both benign and malignant tumors, and only mild conditions such as blood stasis, swelling, or pain are present, Gua Sha therapy can usually be performed under a doctor's guidance. Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese therapy that promotes blood circulation and removes blood stasis, as well as unblocks meridians, and can be used to treat conditions such as mastitis and mammary gland hyperplasia.
However, if there is currently a tumor in the breast area, such as fibroadenoma, breast cyst, or breast cancer, Gua Sha treatment is not suitable. In such cases, performing Gua Sha may damage the skin, leading to skin abrasion or bleeding, thereby increasing the risk of infection. Moreover, when a tumor is progressing, Gua Sha might stimulate the tumor and cause it to gradually enlarge. Therefore, timely treatment based on the underlying cause is necessary.
Gua Sha carries certain risks; therefore, regardless of the situation, it should be performed under the guidance of a doctor to avoid self-treatment. Additionally, regular monitoring should be conducted during Gua Sha therapy, and if any discomfort occurs, treatment should be stopped promptly.
