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Before training in Gua Sha, I assumed it was all about sculpting the face and lymphatic drainage! However, when I took the time to learn more about Gua Sha, I discovered the intention is actually rooted in Qi (energy) and blood flow — key pillars of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The beauty industry has a way of grabbing onto techniques and trends boldy. In this case, telling a story of Gua Sha serving a western beauty standard, reshaping the face and existing as a strong botox alternative. But this ancient art is much more focused on internal health vs external beauty.
Curiously, I stopped scraping my face with firm pressure and switched to the gentle, intentional strokes that Gua Sha truly is. I experienced a deep sense of enlightenment and upward energetic cleansing as I flowed through the final movement in the sequence, from third eye to crown.
When researching further, I discovered that lymphatic drainage still occurs as a natural side effect of this more gentle approach. Our lymphatic system is very delicate, influenced by feather-light pressure. And, because the lymph nodes are so close to the surface, too firm of pressure has the potential to be very disruptive — it can overwhelm and irritate the lymph nodes, causing them to shut down and congest, rather than release.
Another misconception surrounding Gua Sha is the direction of movement. Gua Sha moves upwards throughout the face and body, which can conflict with a lymphatic drainage perspective at first glance. For example; flowing up the neck, when the nodes naturally drain downwards, leading people to believe that upward strokes on the neck is incorrect technique.
The roots of Gua Sha prioritise clarity, vitality, and spiritual awareness — it was not birthed for the purpose of lymphatic drainage, although it does inadvertently have an effect on this system. Upward strokes are used to awaken energy and revitalise blood flow, without forcefully pushing fluids. When performing Gua Sha correctly, the light upward pressure does not negatively affect lymphatic drainage. It actually softly increases circulation of lymph fluid and allows the nodes to naturally process it without force. Lymph nodes are a one-way valve, fluid can never go backwards!
So while often perceived as a facial sculpting or anti-aging beauty trend, Gua Sha is more accurately, a gentle energy practice focused on blood flow, Qi activation, and the body’s natural ability to heal. You will, of course, leave your Gua Sha treatment feeling less puffy and more glowy than you arrived, but the deeper layers of this practice hold so much value.
I feel enlightened to have unlearned my Gua Sha assumptions and returned to the roots of this ancient ritual. A practice that softly honours our body’s wisdom and internal health. Waves of gratitude also extend to The Healing Room co-founder, Jess Pearson, for inspiring me to discover more about this modality, respect the roots, and expand on my beauty therapy training.
The below moments of peaceful Qi connection were captured for our THR Gua Sha Guide. You can sign up to our email list here to receive your free pdf download.
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