No Gua Sha on the Neck Please
There has been a proliferation of videos on you tube and other sites recently demonstrating how to use the Jade Gua Sha. This has followed on from the beauty industries recent discovery of the ancient Jade Roller and other crystal rollers.
Unfortunately not all of the information in these videos is very accurate. Although these crystal products are very harmless in comparison to most mainstream beauty practices there are still several things which are best avoided.
A trend we have noticed recently is the use of Crystal Gua Sha on the neck. This practices introduces risks into an otherwise extremely safe and beneficial treatment.
The neck as we all know is an extremely sensitive and delicate area. It contains the wind pipe and the carotid artery amongst numerous other structures.
In traditional practice Gua Sha is used with a lot more force than a jade roller. It is used for stronger stimulation of problem areas both therapeutically on the back and cosmetically on the face. A traditional treatment that may include cosmetic acupuncture is usually graded with the least invasive treatment being first and the most invasive last. In this case it would be the jade roller, gua sha. cosmetic cupping and then acupuncture.
This stronger stimulation can cause problems if used on the front part of the neck. Stroking over the windpipe can be very uncomfortable for many people. More importantly applying strong pressure to the carotid artery area can temporarily affect blood flow to the brain making people feel faint at best.
Interestingly many of the videos that show Gua Sha being used on the neck also show it being used in a downward direction. This is against all traditional principles for a start as the traditional Asian view of cosmetic treatments is that they should always flow upwards and outwards lifting and stretching the skin.
More importantly though is the fact that they are actually pushing downwards forcefully against the main artery of the neck and therefore against the blood flow to the brain. This is really not recommended.
In traditional treatments the Jade Gua Sha is used gently on the back of the neck towards the end of the treatment. After the stronger stimulation on the face the Gua Sha is stroked around above the ear passing over several acupuncture points. It is then brought down behind the ear and down the back and side of the neck over the large muscles located in the area.
This is done to drain the lymphatic fluid from the face to reduce puffiness and complete the treatment.
The Gua Sha massage never takes place on the front of the neck.
Our best advice is that if you see videos recommending this practice they are not really all that familiar with the treatments and their advice and techniques should be avoided.
All White Lotus instructions are designed by the founders who studied for over 10 years between them in the ancient therapeutic and cosmetic practices of the Far East.
White Lotus provides ongoing advice and support to al those interested in learning more about these ancient cosmetic practices.
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