Last Updated on March 15, 2024

When it comes to working out and sports training, recovery times are an unfortunate necessity. Exercise and other physical activities strain your muscles and push your body to its limits. However, doing so damages these muscles, thus forcing them to grow back more robust than they were before. This is why recovery times are necessary; they give your body a chance to heal in between bouts of physical activity.

Similarly, recovery times are necessary in the case of injury. The body needs time to heal itself, or it will not be able to fully address the problems caused by the injury.

However, time spent recovering is time that could have been spent training. What if there was a way to reduce recovery time without sacrificing the benefits?

While recovery times are still necessary in many situations, there are ways to reduce the amount of time that needs to be spent on recovery. One of these is scraping therapy. Doing so allows you to spend more time working out or training because you will have to spend less time recovering.

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The History of Gua Sha

Many athletes and sports trainers are using forms of scraping therapy or Gua Sha to speed recovery times, reduce pain and improve performance. Scraping therapies are known collectively as Gua Sha in traditional Chinese medicine. Many physical therapists use the same techniques but call them Graston techniques. This is because they were popularized in America by athlete David Graston. He used the scraping technique to deal with a knee injury he suffered from at the time.

However, gua sha dates back to a point long before its introduction to America. The techniques were developed centuries ago by Chinese physicians to treat painful muscles and joints. They have been used since their discovery and have become a key feature in many types of traditional Chinese medicines. Their effectiveness has allowed them to survive into the present, which is a testament to how well they work.

How Does Scraping Therapy Work?

Gua sha is an effective technique that utilizes various items, traditionally ceramic, stone, or metal tools, which are then scraped across the skin. This is why the method is referred to as scraping therapy.

However, there is a specific process used to make this work. First, the body is prepared with oil, balm, or lotion, similar to those used in massages or other treatments. Then, the body is scraped with one of the items listed above. This scraping is hard and firm, enough that it is slightly painful. However, it is not so hard that it causes damage. In this way, the technique is similar to exercise, where a little pain is required to force the body to achieve great results.

This scraping accomplishes the actual healing. The scraping is done to a specific degree so that it is just enough to produce a superficial reaction from the skin cells involved in the scraping. This initial bit of pain and irritation from within these cells starts a response that triggers an even more significant reaction from within the body.

Increased Blood Flow

This starts as soon as the rest of the body senses something is occurring on the skin. The body realizes that the area is irritated and slightly damaged. So, it sends additional blood into the area in and around the skin.

This rush of fresh blood into the area accomplishes several different effects. First, it is believed that it releases unhealthy material from the area. This includes damaged cells and anything else slowing down the healing process. Think of it like a car wash. The rush of blood is like a jet stream of fresh water, and these harmful materials are like dirt on the car. In the end, the new material washes away the old material and leaves the area clean and sparkling.

In addition, the increased blood flow is thought to kick start the healing process. Your blood carries all your body’s vital nutrients and everything else it needs to be healthy. When you are injured, the factors contributing to your recovery are administered to the injury through your blood.

So, by increasing the blood flow into a specific area, you end up healing faster. Think of the blood as the fuel needed to power the healing factors already present in your body. With a fresh flow of blood, your body has everything it needs to heal itself.

This is how scraping helps. It encourages your blood to flow to a specific place on your skin and, by doing so, causes an increase in blood flow in the entire area. This can occur because everything your body needs to heal itself is already present within the body. All it needs is a little bit of a jump start regarding distribution.

Suffering from an injury? Check out what to expect with Inner Gate Health & Wellness!

Break Down Tissue

In addition, scraping therapy can help break down scar tissue and fascia restrictions. This is usually associated with soft-tissue trauma, such as a strained muscle. It can also help by stretching connective tissue to encourage the rearrangement of the soft tissue structure. In this case, the scraping reduces restrictions that could impair quick healing.

Overall, the process is relatively simple. If you are dealing with an arm injury, you only have to administer the scraping technique on that arm. Doing so stimulates blood flow in the area. This removes harmful material while adding helpful material. In the end, this helps your arm as a whole.

This technique is used to treat many soft tissue injuries. These injuries can range from minor injuries to larger ones. Acupuncturists use the technique to treat areas of chronic inflammation, fascial adhesions, and areas of pain. The method is also regularly used to help reduce recovery times and heal general injuries.

The Importance of a Professional Practitioner

However, as this method deals with abrasives rubbed on the skin, it is vital to perform it correctly. Performing the procedure incorrectly may cause damage to the skin or general injury. In some cases, drawing blood with improperly cleaned instruments may lead to infection, which has the potential to go on to create even more severe health problems. This is why having the practice administered by a professional is far better than attempting to do it at home.

Professionals can administer the technique in a way that is both safe and effective. Specifically, the professionals at Inner Gate Health & Wellness can handle this procedure with the precision it requires. Our skilled clinicians can easily adjust the intensity of the technique, depending on your personal preference. This allows them to do what is necessary for healing, getting deep into the tissue without causing undo pain. Often localized discoloration will occur, similar to those marks seen with cupping therapy, but it will clear in a few days.

In the end, your body is given a leg up on the healing process, and you are able to get back to your workout or your sport faster than before.

Want to heal faster from your injury? Set up an appointment with us today!

Working with a professional practitioner

Could Scraping Therapy Help You Heal?

Gua sha is a great way to:

Break up scar tissue
Restore normal range of motion
Reduce pain
Improve performance

If you are interested in scraping therapy or gua sha, consider having the procedure done with Inner Gate Acupuncture.
CLICK HERE to see all of the services provided at Inner Gate Acupuncture.

Katherine V.

March 9, 2023.

While recovering from injuries sustained from a car accident, I have seen a few different acupuncturists as well as a chiropractor and masseuse at Inner Gate, and I have appreciated them all. The care I've received has been stellar - compassionate, personable, considerate, and soothing. Truly, Inner Gate practitioners have greatly helped me in my healing process. Thank you!

Abbie W.

July 26, 2022.

I have been seeing Nick Maxwell for Craniosacral massage for the last several months after a car accident left me with whiplash, nagging low back pain, a mild concussion, and stress and anxiety. He is an incredibly gifted healer that has helped me immensely! I have had a plethora of bodywork over the years, and I can undoubtedly say that his massages are the best. He has also helped with digestive issues/SIBO/nervous system recovery. I would never see anyone else again after finding him. I am much calmer, happier, and healing well thanks in big part to his care.

Elizabeth M.

February 10, 2022.

Well, I will start by saying that Nicholas Maxwell is my favorite massage therapist. I went to him after 1 year of shoulder pain. Before going to him, I was waiting for the pain to just go away; it didn't. He was the first person I sought any help from. I'm sorry to say, I didn't expect that much relief from a massage but after about 3 sessions I felt close to cured of 1 whole year of pain! He recommended a great physical therapist to solve my shoulder stiffness and pain. My pt said that Nick did a great job of loosening up the muscles for a quicker recovery. Nick seemed to wipe out all the surface pain and extraneous tenderness so that my pt could pinpoint my injury which turned out to be shoulder tendonitis. Now I see both of them concurrently. They both gave the same estimate for recovery, which was shorter than I thought it would be. I've had more that 50 massages in my lifetime (CA, NY, NV), Nick is the only massage therapist I have been to that leaves me feeling better for days and days after the actual massage. If I could describe what Nick's massages feel like, it would be like this: If the ocean waves had massaging hands, they would be Nick's. Before going to Nick, I am a chuck steak. After my massage, I am filet mignon. What can I say, Nick Is Awesome!!

Julian J.

November 4, 2021.

My physical therapist suggested acupuncture for my chronic knee injury in July 2021. I'm going to explain my story, but I want to say at the beginning that Emma Ellsworth at Inner Gate Health & Wellness saved me from a life of chronic pain. It's really difficult and frustrating to find good care anywhere these days, so trust me when I tell you that you can end your search now. Just call Inner Gate and ask for Emma. I always find it helpful to read health care reviews from folks who suffer from the same issues as me, so here's a bit about my medical history: My orthopedic physician diagnosed me with IT band syndrome in my right knee in January 2021. I began a course of physical therapy, but not only did the IT band syndrome not get better, I actually developed IT band syndrome in my left leg due to overcompensation. I pushed myself a little too hard and started noticing that even very light exercise would cause my symptoms to flare up (inflammation, pain, swelling, etc.). By May 2021, I could not walk more than 3 blocks at a time without my knees flaring up. Keep in mind that I'm an otherwise healthy person in my mid-30s. I then developed hamstring tendinopathy in both legs, I assume to disuse. Along with preexisting patellofemoral pain syndrome issues, suffice to say that my knees were totally busted, okay. After all that, my physical therapist and orthopedic physician basically threw their hands up and suggested either cortisone shots for the rest of my life, acupuncture, or prescription pain medication that I really shouldn't be taking due to family history of hypertension. In comes Emma. I'm a huge believer in modern Western medicine and everything, but Emma succeeded where two physical therapists, a physiatrist, my orthopedic physician, and my primary care doctor all failed. Emma succeeded not only because she did something they did not - acupuncture - but she succeeded because she was more effective and patient at taking time to find the actual root cause of my issues. She is super methodical about interviewing me at the beginning of every session, evaluating what worked / didn't work from last time, trying out new areas for acupuncture, and over the course of 4 weeks eventually found an acupuncture solution that reduced my pain. I remember when it happened - I had an acupuncture session one Friday in October, and two days later I was going for a walk and ended up walking like 3 times further than I had walked in the past 6 months. I stopped and was like, "Wow my legs don't hurt at all." The pain literally vanished, went from a 5-6/10 on the pain scale all day every day down to 0-1. The massive pain reduction has allowed me to resume my physical therapy exercises with less pain and start rebuilding my knee strength. I still go to acupuncture to deal with some knee meniscus issues and overall wellness / mental health issues. Honestly, I feel such a tremendous sense of wellness after every acupuncture session that I kind of don't ever want to stop going. Anyway, if you made it this far, thanks for reading and hopefully my story is helpful. Seriously, go see the folks at Inner Gate. You won't regret it!!

Mitchell P.

October 19, 2021.

Inner Gate Health & Wellness provides exceptional care! Their staff, specifically Emma Ellsworth, is skillful, compassionate, and effective at providing holistic healing services, including acupuncture. I highly recommend treatment with Inner Gate and Emma Ellsworth for symptoms including depression, anxiety, pelvic floor pain, back pain, and digestion issues.

Ruben S.

April 15, 2021.

This is a long overdue, rave review for Terry. I've been to many acupuncturists over the last decade and she is hands down the most helpful and accommodating. I came in with a very unsolvable problem (tinnitus) and had tried everything before coming to Terry. Terry has helped improve my symptoms with Tinnitus and a number of other issues. She's also extremely patient and takes time out of every session at the beginning to go over progress and how I'm feeling. She has a good understanding of my problems and is always ready with solutions to help. Acupuncture with Terry is one of the highlights of my week -- thank you for being so great!!

Dr. Kaley B.

November 28, 2020.

Very impressed! Great acupuncture, well organized front desk. Liz is fantastic, and I'm not a fan of needles. Finally got some relief from back and neck pain. Looking forward to a few more sessions!

Abbie W.

September 15, 2020.

I highly recommend Oliver Leonetti at Innergate Acupuncture! I have seen him for the last 12 years for various ailments - ranging from nagging sports injuries to digestive issues to insomnia/anxiety, and he always provides the highest level of care that truly lasts. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable and skilled, but he is super kind and caring and always take the time to truly listen. I always feel better after leaving my appointment. I honestly do not know what I would do without Oliver or Innergate Acupuncture! Also, I've seen several of the acupuncturists there, and they are all fantastic as well.

M W.

July 9, 2020.

I can't recommend these guys enough! I have a 10 yr old competitive skier who was having some knee pain & had never had acupuncture done before...not only did these guys gently ease him into the entire process - they also helped him get back on the ski hill after the first couple of treatments I was super impressed with their professionalism & how both Liz and Casey approached his injury - now my little guy looks forward to going to his acupuncture appointments! Yay! Thank you a zillion times over for taking such good care of my little guy.

Abby J.

January 9, 2020.

I used to think acupuncture was sort of hokey. Not total witchcraft, but definitely not the magic, cure-all that people said. Well, folks, a few months in and I can report that I'm a changed woman! Well, really, it only took one session. Terry took my whole health history into consideration and helped with everything. Anxiety, sleeplessness, colds, ankle injuries, back pain--you name it. I've come in with problems and always left improved. I'm sure all the acupuncturists are lovely, but I want to stress how awesome Terry is. She takes my concerns seriously without making me feel like I'm at a stuffy doctors office. She approaches her work with humor and friendliness and is spot on with her treatment. Terry has made me feel comfortable from the get-go and has made my weekly appointments something for me to look forward to. My friends all have heard me rave about her, so I'd say everyone I know should go see her, but then I may never be able to squeeze in my appointments again! Just kidding, of course. Also, big props to the front desk staff too. They have been super kind and helpful when guiding me through insurance issues or unexpected after work traffic. I'd highly recommend Inner Gate SE to anyone with any ailment!

Muscle Scraping Therapy (Gua Sha): What It Is & Does