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GUA SHA

What is Blood Stasis?

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Blood stasis is a central concept in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and one of the primary issues that gua sha aims to address.

But what exactly is blood stasis, and why is it so important to understand?

In TCM, blood stasis refers to the stagnation of blood in the body. It can result from various factors, including poor circulation, injury, or chronic stress. When blood stasis occurs, it can manifest as pain, swelling, or stiffness. Left unaddressed, it may lead to more significant health…

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My Journey from Gua Sha Confusion to Mastery

My Journey from Gua Sha Confusion to Mastery

When I was a student in 1999, our Gua Sha training lasted only three hours. The technique felt confusing and intimidating because it was never properly explained—neither the mechanism behind it nor how it could truly improve the health of our clients. To me, it seemed like an unnecessarily brutal way to stimulate a response, and I felt uncomfortable practicing it.

For years, I only applied Gua Sha therapy in limited cases, mainly for clients struggl…

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The Role of Evidence-Based Research in Gua Sha

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Evidence-based research has become the gold standard in many healthcare practices—and for good reason. It provides a framework for validating treatments and ensuring safety. However, when it comes to hands-on techniques like Gua Sha therapy, the limitations of this approach become apparent.

The Limitations of Standardized Research in Gua Sha

Scientific studies are often conducted in controlled environments with strict protocols, which can overlook the individualized nature of Gua Sha treatment…

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The Right Direction: Why Proper Gua Sha Technique Matters

GUA SHA

The Right Direction: Why Proper Gua Sha Technique Matters

Are you using Gua Sha correctly? One of the most overlooked aspects of this ancient healing technique is stroke direction—and it can make all the difference in your results. Traditional Gua Sha emphasizes scraping away from the heart to support lymphatic drainage, circulation, and detoxification. However, many modern scraping techniques fail to follow this principle, which can hinder the body's natural healing processes.

In this post, w…

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The Ancient Art of Gua Sha: A Timeless Healing Practice

The Ancient Art of Gua Sha: A Timeless Healing Practice

Gua Sha is more than just a skincare trend—it’s a powerful healing technique with deep roots in traditional East Asian medicine. For centuries, this ancient practice has been used to promote circulation, release tension, and restore balance in the body. But did you know that Gua Sha has also influenced modern therapeutic methods?

Gua Sha’s Influence on Modern Techniques

While Gua Sha is often associated with facial massage today, its imp…

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Shoshin: The Beginner's Mind & How It Can Transform Your Life

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Have you ever heard of Shoshin?

This Zen Buddhist concept, translating to “Beginner’s Mind,” is a way of approaching life with openness, curiosity, and a willingness to learn. It means setting aside preconceived notions, even in areas where we feel like experts, and embracing each experience with fresh eyes.

Simple in theory, but in practice? It’s a challenge—especially when emotions run high, or when we strongly believe we already know the answer. Yet, like any worthwhile pursuit, Shoshin tak…

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GUA SHA, Cupping, IASTM, or Graston?

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Gua sha, IASTM, cupping and Graston technique are all manual therapy techniques used to treat musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. While they have some similarities in terms of their goals and application, there are also some key differences between them. gua sha neck Lisa Dowling

Gua sha is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool to release tension and promote healing. The tool used in gua sha can be made of a variety of materials, includin…

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GUA SHA and International Womens Day

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How to celebrate International Womens Day... How about International Womens Week? Women's Month?

Or shall we celebrate ourselves every day and declare that every day is International Womens Day???

This year to celebrate International Women's Day, I am offering my 5 day Brighten Your Light facial gua sha challenge for free!

Join here for info or to join


GUA SHA can help you look great and feel better.


Have you ever even heard of GUA SHA?  Its an age-old therapeutic technique that was fir…

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