WELLNESS AUTHORS
Justin K. Joe & Xiaotian Shen, M.D. MPH, LAc
THE GREAT GUA SHA n Why this bodywork method is incredible for the skin (and why both men and women should try it).
T
he last year was one of extraordinary changes. Our health and way of life are now the subject of intense scrutiny to not only our healthcare professionals, but also to our families, friends and total strangers. We now have to ask ourselves, “Am I really healthy?” This question is a central theme in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), as part of keeping the mind and body in good condition, regardless of new and recurrent environmental illnesses. You’ve probably already heard about three of TCM’s modalities: acupuncture, herbal medicine and qigong. The fourth mode of practice, bodywork, is still probably somewhat of a mystery. Bodywork is just that — work on the physical body. The modality encompasses a number of methods, the most well-known arguably being cupping, popularized by Olympic athletes and celebrities for its ability to combat muscle soreness and other musculoskeletal ailments. If that looks too intense or just isn’t your thing, then you should get to know its twin brother: gua sha.
MAY 2021
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