Gua sha, or skin scraping therapy, is a form of traditional Chinese medicine that releases pressure in the face. It can help with conditions such as temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.
TMJ disorder
This article explores gua sha and its use for TMJ, the benefits of gua sha, other uses of gua sha, and alternative treatments of TMJ.
Gua sha is a
A loose translation of gua sha is “dredging meridian stagnation.” Meridian is a concept in Chinese medicine, which refers to a flow of energy through a channel in the human body. Gua sha reduces obstacles by dredging meridian stagnation and enables the energy to flow more efficiently.
The scraping motion causes bleeding — petechiae — within the middle layer of skin. Petechiae refers to
By generating and forcing the skin to recover naturally from petechiae, gua sha benefits immune
Gua sha is increasingly popular when treating a range of conditions, as it is a noninvasive method and is relatively easy to learn. According to a
Doctors class TMJ disorder as a form of musculoskeletal pain, as it affects the two joints connecting the jaw to the skull and the surrounding muscles.
Gua Sha can relieve musculoskeletal pain by:
A systematic review from
There is a gap in the scientific literature, but anecdotal evidence has found gua sha to be an effective form of treatment for TMJ.
The
Gua sha can support people with TMJ by
Depending on the purpose, there are slightly different techniques for performing gua sha. Researchers from 2019 suggest a possible routine for gua sha on the face:
For the most effective treatment, it is advisable for people to consult a professional for gua sha therapy.
The positive results of gua sha therapy can apply to a range of disorders.
Conditions that may use gua sha as a treatment method include:
In addition to gua sha, other physical treatment methods for TMJ include:
Research has found each of these methods reduces pain and increases the range of motion for people with TMJ disorder. However, a professional must perform the treatment, as they will be able to locate the necessary pressure points and provide further information about the process they are performing.
Read on for other ways to relieve TMJ pain.
Gua sha is a form of natural healing that uses a flat tool to scrape the skin to burst the blood vessels in the middle layer of the skin. The aim is to create small wounds — petechiae — as the body will naturally alter the immune system to heal them beneficially.
Gua sha may help people with TMJ disorder, as the therapy can release pressure and increase circulation in the region, which will relieve TMJ symptoms.
Last medically reviewed on May 30, 2022
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