How to Use Your Gua Sha

We showed you how to use your jade roller. Now check out how to use your gua sha.

The term gua sha translates from Chinese as "scrape away illness." The practice comes from traditional Chinese medicine, which uses techniques like acupuncture and tai chi as well as herbal-based remedies to help treat ailments. Here are some ways you can use your gua sha to help improve circulation, reduce puffiness, and push out toxins.

Step 1: Start with the back of the neck. Drag the curved side up, then at the hairline, press into areas which feel tense.

Step 2: Next work on the sides of the neck. Starting at the collarbone, sweep the long flat side up the side of the neck to the jawline, then apply pressure.

Step 3: Onto the throat! With light pressure use the curved side to sweep from the base of the throat to the jawline, then apply pressure.

Step 4: Now massage the jaw. Sweep the curved side from the chin up toward the ear, then apply pressure.

Step 5: For the cheeks, using the long flat side, start just above the mouth, roll to the side of the nose, and along the curve of the cheekbone to the hairline.

Step 6: Reduce eye puffiness by placing one of the curves against the inner corner of the eye and gently sweeping toward the hairline.

Step 7: Finally for the forehead, seep the long flat side from just above the eyebrows to the hairline.