What are the functions of Gua sha?
- move qi and blood
- release the XT
- disseminate fluids
- to brig the sha to the surface (dots that are red, purple, black, etc.)
- Gua sha is indicated any time there is pain or constriction, acute or chronic (presence of sha indicated by palpation)
What is the best way to combine acupuncture and Gua sha?
Do acu first and gua sha 2nd.
How do you test for the presence of sha?
press several fingers to the skin and pull away. this blanches the skin and displaces the blood. If the blood takes long to return this means that there is an obstruction.
what should you test for gua sha?
where the pain is anywhere
The term “sha” is applied to? “gua”is?
sha= skin rash; gua=scrape
when can you apply gua sha to the same area?
When the petechia has diappeared
if no sha, what color would show up?
just a pink blush
if sha is dark…
indicated chronic stuck blood. if light in color recent condition; sha should disappear in 2-3 days; if before, qi and blood circulation is good; if some areas take longer there may be a lack of circulation to that area; the area should stay covered from wind and sun 24 hrs. after tx.
-if sha is soon after you begin, could be weak wei qi or excess alcohol use
C.I.s of gua sha
- abdomen of pregnant women
- new injury
- pimples, moles, open/weepy skin
- extreme care to deficient pts.
gua sha? pak sha? tsien sha? ken sha?
gua=scraping; pak= slapping; tsien= pinching; ken is not a method to discolor skin it means to bite
besides gua sha, how else can sha be released?
by provoking fever and sweating
how long should gua sha be performed?
until there is no more change in color, when the pt. says stop if too painful; do not move on to another area unless you have finished one area.
instruments for gua sha
gua sha tool, soup spoon, metal lid, coin (at a 30 degree angle, going from superior to inferior)
what may indicate deficient blood when doing gua sha
gua sha resolves pain but soon returns. If excess response, sha is deep in color red, purple, or black; deficient if sha in no abundant and is thin looking can be dark or light
Sha syndrome is?
blockage of meridians, exposure to wind, cold, dampness, symptoms of chilliness, fever, vomiting, pain, diarrhea, or rigidity and numbness of limbs.
for painful syndromes Chinese medicine recommends avoiding…
cold and sour foods
- cold contracts, makes pain worse
- sour is the flavor of the LV- nerves
where do sha appear?
at the site of pain
Purpose of Gua sha…
to release the XT; 1st treat XT then the INT; mimics the effects of sweat stabilizes the pores and stops further penetration of wind, cold, damp, or heat; preventing progression of illness chronic cough, diarrhea, sinusitis, fatigue
what do you need to do w/ pt. before cupping?
- sign a consent form
- explain reason and risks
- apply oil (if doing sliding cups)
how many txs for full benefit of cupping?
5-10 txs; younger people needed less normally
type of cupping for hot or painful bi w/ red painful mm areas; knee and elbow pain w/ excess heat?
- medium to strong cupping over joints; weak to medium over muscle areas; retain cup over needle 10-15 mins; avoid needle cupping on back shu points; so the cup doesn’t push needles deeper; needle cupping not recommended for children of any age
- needle cupping is a draining technique; light and medium- tonifying, light moving=even
cupping to drain lymph
moving cupping; 5 minuted toward lymph glands on affected limb and 10 mins on healthy limb; 10 mins on both for cellulitis.
cupping to treat sudden high blood pressure, fever, blood stasis, hot blood, or stagnant blood
DU14- only 100ml of blood at one time and use gloves on both hands wen removing cup
hot needle cupping
for cold conditions; moxa warms and tonifies point, acupuncture moves the channel
