If you’ve ever had a Gua Sha facial or have practiced at home, you may have experienced a shift in your emotional state after a session or sequence. Maybe you noticed feeling more weightless, or more at peace, or even a little happier and more open-minded. Part of the reason is that facial Gua Sha helps to activate our parasympathetic nervous system, which allows us to rest and digest properly. So naturally when our bodies are in the resting state we feel better. But another big reason is that facial Gua Sha also stimulates movment of our Qi, our energy or vital life force.

In Traditional Chinese Medicine, our Qi can become stagnant as a result of suppressed emotions. Those emotions create stagnation in our liver Qi specifically (anger, bitterness and resentment are often associated with the liver). The stagnation prevents free flowing movement of the fluids like blood and lymph, which help our bodies and our skin function optimally. So that emotional blockage could also causing a physical blockage. Without the proper circulation and movement of fluids, stagnant Qi can show in our skin. It may show up as deeper wrinkles, discoloration or redness, and puffiness. Sometimes those emotional blockages in the liver Qi can also cause an irregular menstrual cycle as well as irritability and fatigue.

Turning to the ancient Chinese ritual of Gua Sha can help us loosen stuck emotions by stimulating the movement of fluids. As we guide blood, lymph and Qi to flow out and up and through the channels in our bodies with the use of our tool, we’re helping to release what is stuck. Clearing away stagnant physical toxins can help clear away the emotional ones. This is a way we can work towards achieving harmony in our body and in our skin.

However you feel comfortable letting go of suppressed emotions - be it breath work, exercising, dancing, crying, talking, - take the time to do so and take care of yourself, especially now. If you want to utilize facial Gua Sha, try and pay attention to the areas around your shoulders, neck or face that are craving TLC but are also the most relieving to work on. It might be between the brows where emotions often are held, or it could be in the jaw where many of us feel tightness. Breathe into those places and spend extra time on them. Be gentle and remember that you only need a light touch when you’re working with your Gua Sha tool.

Facial Gua Sha for Emotional Release

Keep in touch