Cupping, Gua Sha, and Tui Na

Cupping

Cupping is the Chinese medical modality that uses a vacuum created in small glass or plastic cups that suck onto the skin. A treatment may consist of a single cup or multiple all at once. The cups may be placed on specific acupuncture points and/or muscle groups and are usually retained on the skin for 5 to 15 minutes. The goal of cupping is to improve circulation, promote healing, and alleviate pain. Cupping expands the capillaries (fine blood vessels in the body) to increase the amount of fluid moving through the muscle tissue. Cupping can also speed up lymphatic circulation.

Cupping is used to address both acute and chronic injuries, inflammation, and is useful for dermatological conditions. The gentle negative pressure sensation of cupping is very relaxing and for many it is like receiving a deep tissue massage. The most obvious sign of having had a cupping treatment are the circular discoloration marks on the skin. The discoloration of the skin typically fades away within 3-5 days.

Gua Sha

Gua sha describes the modality of unidirectional press-stroking with the aid of an instrument over a lubricated area of the body surface to intentionally create extravasation of the blood that is manifested as petechiae of the skin. Historically coins, jade spoons, bone and other items with a flat smooth surface were used. Today, practitioners use disposable gua sha instruments that are disposed after one use, or instruments designed to be disinfected between uses.

The ‘unidirectional press-stroking’ describes the rhythmic movement of the gua sha tool, used to stroke an area of intact skin repeatedly in one direction at a constant angle for six to fifteen strokes. A gua sha stroke is typically 4-6 inches long and areas of the neck and back are most used when employing gua sha.

Petechia refers to the tiny red or purplish raised dots that appear on the skin as an immediate response to a gua sha treatment. The raised dots quickly fade over a few days. This is not the same as bruising, which involves much more significant damage to the tissues.

Gua Sha stimulates the immune system, reduces pain, stops spasms, brings down inflammation, and can even help alleviate coughing and wheezing.

Tui Na

Tui na, literally means ‘pushing and pulling’, and is the most frequently used form of Chinese medical massage and/or bodywork. We find the earliest text references for tui na from the Zhou Dynasty (700-481 BCE).

There are many tui na techniques the following are few of the foundational ones:

Rolling- a smooth, rhythmic rolling movement of the practitioner's knuckles across the area to be treated.
Acupressure- a focused and repetitive rocking motion with practitioner’s thumb on an acupuncture point.
Pushing- sliding pressure from the practitioner's whole hand, usually along an acupuncture channel.
Kneading- soft, repetitive and relatively slow circular strokes applied anywhere in the body.
Pressing- relaxed pressure often using the practitioner’s thumb or palm.
Rubbing- soothing circular pressure using the practitioner's palm and fingers.
Grasping- one of the most frequently used techniques; the practitioner uses their finger pads to squeeze and release large muscles.
Finger striking- the practitioner uses one finger or a grouping of their fingers to repeatedly strike and acupuncture point, a section of an acupuncture channel or a joint.
Chopping- rhythmic strikes with the edge of the hand, usually on the patient’s back.
Vibrating- the practitioner uses their palm or finger to create a subtle quivering motion; the patient often experiences a sense of deep relaxation.
Plucking- the practitioner draws their thumb pad across muscles or tissues to release adhesions; especially helpful to address traumatic injuries.

Tui na is used to treat a variety of acute, chronic, internal and external imbalances and pathologies.