We often use gua sha and cupping to break up stagnation associated with emotional upset, back or neck pain, and headaches. These techniques can also prevent many cases of cold and flu if performed in the early stages when you’re just starting to “feel funny”.
Both techniques leave a form of mild ecchymosis (bruising) that does not hurt and resembles red dots on the back. In some severe cases patients have purple or darker stagnation indicating how severe the condition was. Severity of the condition as well as your aftercare will determine how long these painless marks remain: days or weeks. If you have an event that requires back exposure, such as formal or beauty contests, it is YOUR responsibility to let us know at treatment time.
These techniques may make you more tired (and relaxed) the first time you get them so we ask patients to avoid partying, swimming, or eating fatty, spicy, or oily foods and alcoholic beverages for 24 hours after treatment.
These techniques may regular repeating, perhaps as much as once a month or as little as every six months.
Flash cupping requires the use of fire; but it does not burn. Gua Sha is a “sand-scraping” technique and can best be described as ‘sensational.’ In most cases you will notice a difference right away. Gua sha and cupping often require the use of oils. If you are allergic to any oils please inform us in your chart so that it is known beforehand. We also often employ liniments which contain herbs from China, if you are averse to this, you must say so explicitly at the time of treatment or in your chart. These include Po Sum On, Zheng Gu Shui, and Woodlock oil, as well as any other common western oil like lavender. These oils can stain on occasion, for which we cannot be held responsible, although care is taken to prevent stains from happening.