WTH is Gua Sha?

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Mar 11

Written By Gabrielle Bankston

What Is Gua Sha? Benefits, Myths & How It Can Transform Your Self-Care Routine

If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram or TikTok and seen someone gently scraping a stone along their jawline, cheekbones, or neck, chances are, you’ve witnessed gua sha in action. But gua sha is so much more than just a beauty trend.

As a neuromuscular massage therapist and holistic wellness advocate, I incorporate gua sha into both my practice and my self-care routine. So let’s get into it—what is gua sha, and how can it help you feel better, look brighter, and reclaim your inner glow?

✨ What Is Gua Sha?

Gua sha (pronounced gwah-shah) is an ancient healing technique rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine. “Gua” means “to scrape,” and “sha” refers to the redness or petechiae that may rise to the skin’s surface as stagnation is released.

Traditionally, gua sha was used to treat the body—especially the neck, shoulders, and back—to break up stagnation, promote circulation, and help clear illnesses. Today, it’s also been adapted as a gentle facial technique for lymphatic drainage, sculpting, and restoring radiance.

💆🏽‍♀️ Benefits of Gua Sha

Whether you’re booking a session or practicing at home, here are some of the juicy benefits of consistent gua sha use:

Lymphatic Drainage – Helps reduce puffiness and detoxify tissues
Muscle Tension Relief – Perfect for tight jawlines, neck stiffness, and tech-neck tension
Improved Circulation – Brings fresh blood and oxygen to the surface, giving your skin a natural glow
Facial Sculpting – With regular practice, many report more defined cheekbones, jawlines, and lifted brows
Headache + Sinus Relief – Great for anyone experiencing sinus congestion or tension headaches
Nervous System Reset – Gua sha on the neck and shoulders can help downshift your body into a relaxed, parasympathetic state (yes, please!)

🧊 Is It Painful?

Not at all—especially not the facial version. It’s gentle and soothing, especially when paired with a nourishing oil or serum. Body gua sha can be more intense, but it is still deeply therapeutic.

💡 Common Myths

❌ Myth 1: It’s Just for Your Face

Nope! While facial gua sha is trending, it started as a body therapy to release deep tension and promote healing.

❌ Myth 2: It Should Leave Bruises

Mild redness is normal, but bruising isn’t the goal, especially in facial gua sha. When done correctly, it should feel like a light, relaxing massage.

❌ Myth 3: It’s a One-Time Fix

Like most wellness routines, consistency is key. You’ll see more long-term benefits with regular use (and trust me, it’s worth it).

🔮 My Personal Gua Sha Ritual

At Gabby Does Massage, I often incorporate gua sha into neuromuscular sessions to relieve tension in the neck and shoulders, particularly for clients who spend their days at a desk or experience TMJ.

For my beauty lovers, I also enjoy using it in Ayurvedic facial massage sessions with a custom-blended botanical oil. It’s your chance to press pause, drop in, and glow up—naturally.

📹 Want to See Gua Sha in Action?

Check out my YouTube channel, Gabby Does Massage, where I’ll be sharing tutorials, before-and-after footage, and my favorite tools to use at home or in the spa.

👉 Subscribe now and turn on those notifications so you never miss a self-care drop!

🌿 Ready to Try Gua Sha?

Whether you want to book a professional session or shop for a beginner-friendly stone, I’ve got you covered. Visit GabbyDoesMassage.com for tools, tutorials, and appointments. You deserve to feel relaxed, radiant, and restored—one stroke at a time.