THE

Gua Sha
HANDBOOK
Benefits and Instructions for use
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 Contents

About Us – Hana Emi..........................................................................................................4

Brief History of Gua Sha....................................................................................................6
Gua Sha Benefits and Instructions for use
Face................................................................................................................................9
Ear.................................................................................................................................11
Head............................................................................................................................12
Neck and Shoulder.................................................................................................13
Back and Waist......................................................................................................14
Chest............................................................................................................................15
Abdomen...................................................................................................................16
Limbs..........................................................................................................................17
Five Key Points of Gua Sha Technique.....................................................................18
Check your health with Gua Sha tools
Heart and Lungs...................................................................................................21
Spine..........................................................................................................................23
Methods to increase the therapeutic effect .......................................................25
How to clean the Hana Emi Bian Stone Gua Sha tool.....................................27
Contraindications................................................................................................................27
About us -
Hana Emi
Hana Emi was built on hard work, passion for wellbeing and, of
course, a big bold dream. The name, “Hana Emi”, originates from
Japanese language and translates into “The Smile of Flowers”. A
unique moment of joy in which you feel in-sync with the whole
world and the flowers smile back at you. Our dedication to find a
healthier and more mindful lifestyle was born during our journey
through Far-East Asia. Here we were acquainted with the Gua Sha
technique performed by an experienced master that didn’t show
any sign of ageing. The first session left us feeling relaxed, but also
empowered, the closest imaginable feeling to being reborn.
Since then we are advocates for Gua Sha and have developed a full
range of tools meant to bring you the wellbeing of the Far-East to
your home.
We strongly believe that in order to perform the Gua Sha technique
to its maximum efficiency, one needs the highest quality tools.
Made from natural materials sourced locally in Far-East Asia, the
Hana Emi tools offer an authentic feeling and inspire you to master
the old technique of Gua Sha.
Brief History of
Gua Sha
Brief History of Gua Sha 7

Gua Sha is the Chinese term for a physical therapy technique which is
equally a folk remedy and a serious practice throughout Far-East Asia. In
free translation, Gua (刮) (“gwa”), means “to scrape”, “scratch” "rub" or
“extract”, while Sha ( ) (“shaw) means sand or sediment, signifying the
congestion. The purpose of the technique is to bring the toxins to the
surface as the result of rubbing. This process brings the “sha” to the
surface under the form of small grain that will redden the skin. From this
perspective, Gua Sha might be considered similar to cupping, however, it
offers a wider range of benefits and the rubbing covers a wider area. In
Vietnamese, this technique is called “Cao Gio”.
Using a traditional specialized tool such as the Hana Emi Bian Stone
Gua Sha tool, you will gently scrape or rub the skin over a problem area
as a deep massage, using a downward direction. You will experience
immediate relief from pain, stiffness, fever, chills, coughs, nausea, and so
on. Gua Sha is valuable in the prevention and treatment of acute
infectious illness, upper respiratory and digestive problems, and many
other acute or chronic disorders. Gua Sha can also be used for beauty
purposes such as firming up the facial muscles, smoothening the facial
skin, reducing wrinkles, removing spots - improving complexion, clearing
clogged pores, and clearing up acne.
Chi or Qi (pronounced “chee”) is the constant and vigorous movement of
energy or life force that keeps us healthy and alive. Balancing the Chi, in
Traditional Chinese Medicine, promotes blood circulation and the
removal of toxic heat, stagnant blood and lymph fluid from the body.
Gua sha is applied primarily on the back, neck, shoulders, buttocks and
limbs of the body. Advanced practitioners may also raise sha on the
chest and abdomen. To apply gua sha, first lubricate the area with oil. If
you do not have gua sha oil, you can use any external-use oil or simply
coconut oil. If there are any moles, cuts or unhealed wounds, cover them
with your fingers. Do not apply gua sha tools to such areas. Hold the gua
sha tool at a thirty-five-degree angle to the skin with the smooth edge
touching the skin.
BENEFITS &
INSTRUCTIONS FOR USE
Face 9

Face
• Removes spots
• Firms up your sagging facial muscles
• Smoothens the skin and reduces the appearance of wrinkles on your
face
• Clears clogged pores
• Improves dark circles and bags under the eyes (the kind you get from
advancing age)
• Lightens age spots and other skin discolorations
• Your complexion gets rosier and more radiant
• Helps clear up acne, rosacea, and other skin diseases on your face
• Indirectly aides the zang-fu organs
Face 10

Instructions for use

Imagine moving the stagnant lymph from the middle of your face up to the
temple and all the way to the hairline.
• Third Eye: Stroke from the center of your eyebrows up to your hairline
• Lower forehead: Sweep from the median part of your forehead above
your eyebrows, towards your temples
• Under eyebrow: Scrape the area between the eyebrow and the eyes
(the bone of the brow) with the curved side of the Hana Emi Bian Stone
Gua Sha.
• Under the eyes: Gently stroke the area underneath your eyes (where
your eye-bags generally appear). Using un upward stroke, start from the
side of your nose and go up to your temple
• Cheek: Do the same sweeping motion for the cheek area. Go from the
side of your nose, across your cheek, and up again to the middle of your
ear
• Mouth: Do the same for the mouth area again sweeping the lymph
upward to your ear
• Chin: Sweep from the middle of your face, under your lower lip and to
the earlobe
• Under chin: Scrape from the soft area under your chin to the bottom of
your ear
• Neck: Scrape from your jaw and earlobe down to the middle of your
collarbone
• The big sweep: Collect all the lymph you’ve moved to the side of the
face and dump it to your lymphatic drainage. Sweep from the center of
your forehead right under your hairline, down to your temple, down to
your ear until you reach your neck and terminus area. Do several times
for a clean sweep
Ear 11

Ear
• Lowers blood pressure and improves circulation
• Relieves earaches
• Relieves gastric spasms
• Improves whole- body health

Instructions for use

• Scrape the anterior and posterior surfaces of the ear with the edge of
the Hana Emi Bian Stone Gua Sha tool
• Use the corner of the tool for points inside the concha

Do not use excessive force on the concha to

avoid injuring the outer ear
Head 12

Head
• Improves blood circulation
• Relieves brain fatigue
• Nourishes the brain to enhance intelligence
• Relieves migraine
• Maintains the brain young
• Prevents mental weakness and cerebrovascular diseases
• Relieves headache, dizziness, insomnia, and poor memory
• Strengthens the functions of the zang-fu organs

Instructions for use

• For meridians of the head: scrape from anterior-superior to
posterior-inferior on the sides of head; from back to front or front to
back on the vertex
• Scrape from top to bottom on the occiput with strong pressure
• Scrape until you feel warmth on the scalp
• Only use the treatment during daytime. Scraping before sleep is
forbidden, as it will stimulate the nervous system and cause insomnia
Neck and Shoulder 13

Neck and Shoulders

• Prevents and treats cervical spondylitis
• Improves elasticity
• Relaxes muscles and releases stress
• Prevents neck and shoulder strain
• Regulates blood pressure

Instructions for use

• Scrape from top to bottom on the neck and from the middle to the
sides on the shoulder
• Scrape on the sides of the Adam's apple (ST9) gently and slowly to
protect the underlying artery

Do not use excessive force over the spine on the neck

to avoid injuring the spinal column
Back and Waist 14

Back and Waist

• Relieves back pain, low back pain, shoulder pain and leg pain
• Relaxes muscles and releases stress
• Regulates the zang-fu organs,
• Prevents and treats the common cold, cough, fever, heart palpitations,
poor appetite, acid regurgitation, stomachache, diarrhea, constipation,
chest and rib pain, liver qi stagnation, deficiency of the spleen, stomach
and pancreas
• Prevents and treats disorders of the endocrine, urinary and
reproductive systems

Instructions for use

• Divide the back into three sections about 12-15 cm long and scrape
from top to bottom.
• Scrape from the middle to the sides along with ribs
• Use repeated strokes for short durations on the midline of the back
and lumbosacral region along the path of the Governing Vessel where
there is little fat or muscle
• Use the corners of the Hana Emi Bian Stone Gua Sha tool on the Jiaji
points to locate reactive points. Once located, use the corners to scrape
the points from top to bottom.
Chest 15

Chest
• Improves the functions of heart and lung
• Prevents and treats heart palpitations, shortness of breath, chest
oppression, and insufficient blood-supply to the heart
• Treats hyperplasia of the breasts
• Treats the common cold, cough, sore throat and fever

Instructions for use

• Scrape from the middle to the sides along with ribs. Do not use strong
force or scrape quickly on the ribs
• Scrape over the zang fu organs using small angles, strong pressure and
slow speed
• Try to avoid the intercostal spaces when using the gua sha tool

Avoid scraping the nipples

Abdomen 16

Abdomen
• Regulates gastrointestinal function
• Improves gastrointestinal peristalsis
• Eases urination
• Opens the bowels
• Helps you lose weight and reduces abdominal fat
• Relieves diarrhea, constipation, abdominal distension and pain
• Treats dysmenorrhea, irregular menstruation, and pelvic inflammation
• Prevents and treats diseases of the small and large intestine

Instructions for use

• Scrape from top to bottom
• Scrape gently and slowly

Perform gua sha no less than 30 minutes after meals

Limbs 17

Limbs
• Prevents joint pain, muscle injuries and sprains
• Scraping the meridians on the arms prevents and treats diseases of the
heart, lung, small intestine, large intestine, endocrine system and
nervous system
• Scraping the meridians of the legs prevents and treats diseases of liver,
gallbladder, spleen, stomach, kidney and bladder of the digestive, urinary
and reproductive systems. Frequent scraping of the hands and feet is
good for general health.

Instructions for use

• Scrape in segments from top to bottom centered on the acupoints to
be treated. If there are varicose veins, scrape more gently and from
bottom to top. Do not perform gua sha if you suffer from severe
varicosities
• Scrape downward along the curvature of bones around joints. Do not
perform gua sha near swollen or acutely inflamed joints
• Use patting manipulation on the elbow and knee fossa. Do not use
patting if there are varicose veins in the knee fossa
• Use gua sha oil before scraping the back of the hand, second metatarsal
bone and dorsum of the foot

Do not perform gua sha during the acute stage of tendon and ligament injuries
Five Key
Techniques
of Gua Sha
Five Key Points of the Gua Sha Technique 19

• It is not necessary for sha to appear during a gua sha session.

It is not a sign of efficacy. Avoid overusing gua sha as it can
consume defensive qi and damage soft tissue;
• Do not perform gua sha continuously over large areas or
periods of time. Only use gua sha to treat one condition at a
time and alternate scraping acupoints and holographic zones.
When scraping holographic zones only, limit to 2-3 zones each
time;
• Avoid contact with wind and keep warm after gua sha
sessions. Cover the areas that were treated before going
outdoors in winter. After performing gua sha on the face, wait
for 30 minutes before going outdoors;
• Drink a cup of hot water to replenish body fluids and
promote the excretion of metabolites after each gua sha
treatment;
• You can shower three hours after a gua sha treatment.
Check your health
with Gua Sha tools
Check you health with Gua Sha tools: Heart and Lungs 21

Heart and Lungs

Method 1: The Chest
• Apply gua sha oil, then scrape the center of the chest, the left side of
the chest over the heart and the areas corresponding to the heart
• The area over the heart: the center of the sternum, the left chest and
the left scapular region on the back
• Pain, nodules or sha that appear with scraping suggest sub-health
states of the heart, while large areas of dark-purple sha with painful
nodules suggest a severe lack of oxygen to the heart
• If these symptoms appear, we recommend you to be examined by a
doctor.

Method 2: The Xinshu (BL15) and Feishu (BL13)

• When scraping Xinshu (BL 15) and Feishu (BL 13) on the back, dense
patches of purple sha with pain or nodules suggest chronic qi and blood
stagnation in the heart and lung meridians. Dark-purple sha with large
nodules and severe pain around Xinshu (BL 15) indicates heart disease
• If these symptoms appear, we recommend you to be examined by a
doctor.
Check you health with Gua Sha tools: Heart and Lungs 22

Method 3: The Elbow Fossa

• After applying gua sha oil, pat with gradually increasing force on the
elbow fossa. Taking intermittent breaks, continue patting until no new
sha appears
• Moderate to severe sha on the lung meridian at the radial side of the
fossa suggests the common cold, shortness of breath with cough or
history of lung disease
• Moderate to severe sha on the pericardium meridian in the middle of
the fossa suggests chest oppression, shortness of breath, heart
palpitations, insomnia or profuse dreams
• Severe sha on the heart meridian on the ulnar side indicates significant
lack of oxygen to the heart. If these symptoms appear, we recommend
you to be examined by a doctor.

Method 4: The Major Thenar Eminence, Middle and

Little Finger
• When scraping these areas, focus on the tips and roots of the
fingernails. Smooth sensations under the gua sha tool without pain
suggest a normal condition, while pain, a dark-purple major thenar
eminence, or curved fingertips of the middle and little fingers suggest a
sub-health state in the heart.
Check you health with Gua Sha tools: Spine 23

Spine
Method 1: The Spine
• Apply gua sha oil on the spine, then use the gua sha tool to first scrape
the posterior midline, i.e. over the vertebral column, then the Jiaji points,
and muscles of the back and waist
• Sha on the posterior midline that is not in a straight line, rough or
non-symmetrical sensations felt under the comers of the gua sha tool,
abnormal protuberances, muscle tightness, spasms or nodules felt
under the gua sha tool; or sha that appears in a curve or at varying
distances from the midline suggests disorders of the muscles and
ligaments that hold the spine in place, and instability of the vertebrae.
These can lead to pain or strain of neck, shoulder, back and waist.

Method 2: The Spine Zone on the Foot

• Apply gua sha oil on the arch of the foot, then scrape the medial foot
from the back of the big toe to the heel, which is the holographic spine
zone
• Smooth and even sensations are felt under the gua sha tool, suggest a
normal condition, while the appearance of sha, nodules or pain indicate
sub-health or pathologic states in the corresponding body parts
Check you health with Gua Sha tools: Spine 24

Method 3: The Third Section of the Back of the

Middle Finger
• Apply gua sha oil on the third section of the back of the middle finger,
the cervical vertebrae zone, before scraping
• A smooth sensation under the gua sha tool during scraping suggests a
normal condition. Pain, roughness or sand sized masses and nodules
under the tool suggest sub-health states or pathology of the cervical
vertebrae.

Method 4: The Spine Zone on the Back of the Hand

• Apply gua sha oil the back of the third metacarpal bone, the spine
zone, before scraping
• Smooth sensations under the gua sha tool suggest a normal condition,
while pain, roughness or sand-sized nodules under the tool, or the
appearance of sha suggest sub- health or pathologic states in the
corresponding vertebrae.

Method 5: The Vertex - Occiput Band

• A smooth sensation under the Hana Emi Bian Stone tool suggests a
normal condition, while pain or positive reactions such as nodules
suggest sub-health or pathologic states in the corresponding body
parts.
Methods to
increase the
therapeutic effect
Methods to increase the therapeutic effect 26

Body Position
Proper body position relaxes the muscles and helps relieve any pain
caused by gua sha;

Scraping Angle
The smaller the scraping angle, the milder the pain. On sensitive areas,
scraping can be performed relatively painlessly at angles less than 15
degrees;

Scraping Speed
The faster the scraping speed, the stronger the pain. Therefore, slower
scraping speeds are less painful;

Pressure
Use steady and even pressure. Do not suddenly change the amount of
force;

Point of Exertion
Applying pressure in the proper way keeps the scraping force even and
steady. When scraping small areas, only use the elbow and shoulder to
apply force. When scraping larger areas while standing, keep the legs
grounded and exert force from the legs, low back and arms to the hand;

Scraping Area
The smaller the area of contact between the skin and the gua sha tool,
the stronger the sensation. Reduce pain by increasing the area of contact
between the tool and the skin;

Scraping Time
Scraping too long on the same area will cause pain because eventually it
will injure the skin. Avoid causing pain by scraping for the proper amount
of time based on the patient’s constitution and disease, and by
alternating the acupoints and holographic zones that are scraped.
Contraindications 27

How to clean the Hana Emi

Bian Stone Gua Sha tool
• Made out of high quality materials, Hana Emi Bian Stone Gua Sha tool
is built to last, easy to clean and static free.
• After scraping, wash it with soap and water, wait for it to dry, and then
wipe it with alcohol or sanitizer. Ideally, one tool is used on one person.

Contraindications
• Acute ligament or tendon injuries, or new bone fractures;
• Bleeding disorders such as thrombocytopenia, leukemia or severe
anemia;
• On the lower abdomen and lumbosacral region in women during
pregnancy or menstruation;
• Severe acute cardiovascular or cerebrovascular diseases, or
insufficiency of the liver and kidney;
• Local scrapping in areas where malignant tumors were operated on,
and areas around malignant tumors or unidentified masses;
• Near infectious skin diseases, skin lesions in diabetic patients, and
severe varicosities on the legs.
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