Gua Sha Massage
Gua Sha (pronounced “Gwah Shah”) is a gentle form of massage that involves rubbing or scraping the skin with a round edged tool. The massage tool itself may be something as simple as a Chinese soup spoon, or it may be a beautifully moulded piece of jade.
Like cupping, gua sha stimulates blood circulation in the area and is often used to release muscle tension, especially in the neck and shoulders, or to remove toxins from the body. As such, it can be helpful for those with chronic headaches, neck and shoulder pain, or as part of a treatment for colds and flu.
The name “gua sha” effectively translates as “scraping redness”, referring to the massage action of scraping the skin (gua) and the distinctive redness that appears on the skin as a result (sha). The redness is a completely normal reaction and demonstrates that the gua sha has been done appropriately. It may remain for a few days after the massage but should soon disappear.
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Other Services
Acupuncture is based on the concept that the body has a vital energy, or Qi, which flows throughout the body along different channels. In Chinese medicine it is believed pain or illness are often caused by a blockage of this Qi flow. Acupuncture activates or unblocks the flow of Qi
Chinese herbal medicine may be used together with acupuncture or as a stand-alone treatment. Patients are given an herbal formula, usually containing a number of different herbs. These formula are devised by the practitioner based on the patient’s specific health requirements
Like acupuncture and herbal medicine, cupping is a therapy that has been used for thousands of years. This technique uses small glass cups as suction devices applied to the skin and muscles. This process encourages Qi and blood flow into the area and breaks up stagnation or congestion.