Fast Running Blog

Introduction
Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese technique that involes applying the edge of a special tool to the skin in a scraping motion.  "Gua" means--scrape, "Sha" means--sand.  "Sand in this context refers to a rough, irregular texture that can be felt easily by a the person doing the scraping as the edge of the tool moves asross injured or chronically painful tissue.

During treatment, the skin over the treated area will generally become red, forming petechiae.  These are pin sized red dots resulting from micro bruising.  This is perceived as a positive sign.  Traiditional  practictioners see the appearance to fthe redness or "sha" as a release of toxins and stagnant blood,  allowing "chi" or life inergy to flow freely through affected tissues.

Theory
Breaking down irregular collagen fibers, or scar tissue, decreasing pain and improved range of motion are likely the major benifits from this treatment.

From a western perspective, the petchiae and breaking down of the collagen fibers causes an increased healing response in the body sending in macrophanges to "clean up" and remove cellular debris and fiberoblasts to repair soft tissue.

Normal reaction to treatment
During the first minutes of treantment, a mild skin redness occurs as the tools edge stimulates capillary dilation.  After a loger period you may experience warmth, petechiae (the rash like area of small, possibly raised dots) and possible tenderness.  Petechiae and tenderness to the touch can persist for several days after treatment.  In rare cases petechiae or bruising may be permanent.

For any one wanting more info or would like to be scraped or learn how to do this technique themself I am willing to help, just ask.   You can see or purchase the tools at www.guashaorthopedic.com

I had Josse scrap me today and I am very happy with the results.   She did a great job showing me how to do it and explaining the technique and theory behind it.  I would recomend it to any one struggling with an injury!

I've also had this done by a PT for IT related issues with an improvement noticed afterwards. I've also improvised after a race and just used a gatorade bottle to self-treat with a noticeable decrease in tightness in the area.

Hey Josse- what is your opinion of The Stick?  How does it compare to scraping?  I was thinking of buying one but wanted your opinion.

I like a rolling pin better.  The stick has to much give to it, and I prefer the gua sha tool over both of them.  I would spend my money on a good rolling pin and the gua sha tools, I can teach you how to use them both. 

Rolling pin, as in what you use in the kitchen?

Yes thats the one.  Cheaper too.

For me, they are used for completely different purposes.  I use the stick for deep tissue issues/massage and the scraping tools for more surface issues.  Now, I know that many times, they are the same thing.  I like my stick, but I would say the better buy would be the scarping tools.  Main reason is that just as Josse said, you can substitute items in place of the stick a bit easier.
My ITB has shown significant improvement since purchasing and using the Gua Sha tools.  I recommend it.

Ya Cody- good explanation. I was just thinking about this last night. I was using the stick on my quads and upper-calves, which was good for a general loosening of the muscles. Then I got the gua sha tools out and went to work on the achilles area for some detailed work. Trying to use the stick on that area just applies pressure to it and hurts. There isn't enough "meat" there for the stick to work on.

I being a massage therapist, love the working out of the muscles.  But the Gua sha tool brings the breakdown, cleaning out, and healing to a differant level.  I have never seen results with massage that I have seen with Gua sha.  I see better results on myself with Gua sha than I ever did with a rolling pin or the stick. 

Yeah, this stuff really does work. It is much, much better than the stick. That doesnt even compare to the awesomeness of the scraping.

Alright you sold me. I just bought the set.

josse have you had any expierence with A STYM?

Adam - shouldn't that question be in a new topic?  I think that merits it's own title for future reference.

Aystm is the basically the same as Gua Sha, it is where Aystm came form.  It is where I learned Gua sha.  I had it done for tendonitis.  The PT used the tools I have and actually likes them better than the Aystm tools  (I am assuming you mean Aystm-what PT do.  It took me a minute to figure out what you ment)

Yes, that is what I meant. Just a little letter switching on my part. I was asking because the pt I work with said that the company (or whoever is behind the Aystm training) was trying not to let the training get out to LMTs.

I was mainly asking because I was wondering if you think your skill with gua sha would be even more effective with Aystm training, or if you think those trained in Aystm would benefit from gua sha, etc..

I would love to be trained in Aystm, but as you said it is strickly for PTs.   The guy who came up with the Aystm tools and training got it from Gua Sha and made the tool a little differant.  Patented (sp?) it and made a bunch of money.  There are actually many differant techniques taken from Gua Sha.  They just make there tools alittle differant and call it their own.

BTW-I don't do aystm I do Gau Sha.

No, as in what you use on your kids.

Josse used her Gua Sha magic on some tendonitis I had a few months ago and it worked wonders. I thought my season was finished, but I ended up finishing it out and improving quite a bit. I'm totally sold on it. It hurts like no other.... but it's worth it.

That being said, I also prefer a rolling pin to the Stick, but sadly, I left mine behind in Boise and am missing it quite a bit. If only I weren't so darn lazy I'd go buy a new one.