3 Ways to Use the Body Gua Sha

Facial gua sha is as essential to our morning routine as a matcha latte. The method involves scraping the skin with a massage tool to help improve circulation and promote lymphatic drainage. This helps reduce puffiness, define our cheekbones, and generally makes us glowier.

But the practice, which is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, actually began as a body treatment—and it offers some pretty stellar benefits beyond the face.

“Body gua sha massage is the perfect technique for cellulite, tension, and fluid retention. As you begin to release stress and break up fascia adhesions and connective tissue with the gua sha tool, you increase blood flow in the skin so that more nutrients enter the skin and waste leaves the skin,” says Sophie Lonsinger, the massage therapist and bodyworker behind Conscious Living by Sophie. “It also helps promote lymphatic drainage, helping flush out toxins and fluid, and helping to decrease swelling.”

Read on to see 3 of our favorite ways to use body gua sha.

Neck: for posture relief after working on a computer

Apply oil, and massage it into your skin with your fingers. Start at the base of your neck behind your ear and use light pressure to move the gua sha tool down to your shoulder. Repeat 5 to 7 times, and move to the other side.

Thighs: to help reduce cellulite

Apply oil, and massage it into your skin with your fingers. Hold the tool at a slight angle. Starting at the bottom of your outer thigh, use long strokes and slight pressure to move the tool up toward your hips. Do 3 to 5 strokes in one area, and move on to another, repeating until you’ve covered your whole thigh. Then repeat on the other side.

Arms: to help with upper body lymphatic drainage

Apply oil, and massage it into your skin with your fingers. Starting at your wrist, use long, sweeping strokes up your arm to your elbow. Do 3 to 5 strokes in one area, and move on to another, repeating until you’ve covered your lower arm. Then, move to your upper arm, and use the same strokes to go from your elbow up to your shoulder. Repeat on your other arm.