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Gua sha for Period Pain: A Comprehensive Guide to Treating Dysmenorrhoea with Gua sha

Saturday, November 04, 2023

The Gua sha Journal - A Blog About Everything Gua sha by Clive Witham/Gua sha for Period Pain: A Comprehensive Guide to Treating Dysmenorrhoea with Gua sha

Dysmenorrhea, commonly known as Period Pain, is a prevalent issue that many women face. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) offers a unique approach to managing this discomfort through a technique called Gua sha. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore how Gua sha can help alleviate the symptoms of dysmenorrhea (period pain).

What is Dysmenorrhea?

Dysmenorrhea is a medical condition characterized by severe menstrual cramps, which can be debilitating for some women. It often appears as a chronic problem that can last for several years, significantly impacting quality of life.

Gua sha: An Alternative Treatment for Period Pain (Dysmenorrhea)

Gua sha is a traditional Chinese therapy that involves scraping your skin with a Gua sha tool to improve blood circulation in the tissue bed. This ancient healing technique offers a unique approach to treating dysmenorrhea (period pain), focusing not just on the symptoms but also on the root cause of the problem.

How Does Gua sha Help with Period Pain (Dysmenorrhea)?

In my treatment center in North Africa, I saw firsthand how Gua sha can alleviate the symptoms of dysmenorrhea (period pain). I have incorporated the protocol of the Reproductive Center of Tianjin First Affiliated Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, based on a study in 2006 by Xia Junbo and Shi Li. This protocol includes specific areas to apply Gua sha strokes, on the abdomen, leg, back, hand, and foot.

Here are the places that I recommend to treat with Gua sha for period pain relief:

How To Treat Period Pain with Gua sha?

Procedure:

  • ​Apply lubrication on the selected areas
  • ​Scrape firmly in the appropriate direction for 1 minute in each area.
  • ​Treatment is best achieved in the time before your next period
  • ​Repeat the below treatments once every 3 days​
Areas of the body to treat with Gua sha for period pain

1. On the abdomen:

  • ​Scrape lightly downwards the area around and below the belly button.
  • ​Note this includes the traditional Chinese medicine points Qihai
    (Ren 6), Guanyuan (Ren 4), Zhongji (Ren 3), and Qixue (Kidney 13) - but you don't need to know them to treat with Gua sha.​
Lower abdomen area to treat with Gua sha for period pain


2. On the legs:

  • ​Scrape upwards on the inside of the leg (lateral to the tibia)
  • ​Note that this includes traditional Chinese medicine point Sanyinjiao (Spleen/Pancreas 6) - but you don't need to know that to treat with Gua sha.​
Area on the inner side of legs to treat with Gua sha for period pain


3. On the back:

  • ​Scrape strongly downwards along the mid-lower back
  • ​Note that this includes Sanjiaoshu (Bladder 22), Shenshu (Bladder 23) and Bladder Shu (Bladder 28) - but you don't need to know these to treat with Gua sha.​
Area on lower back for treatment with Gua sha for period pain


4. On the hands:

  • ​Scrape upwards in the base of the palm of the hand.
Area on palm of hands to treat with Gua sha for period pain


5. On the feet:

  • ​Scrape downwards in the mid-sole area and at the heel.
Area on sole of feet to treat with Gua sha for period pain

Gua sha for Period Pain (Dysmenorrhea): Case Studies and Insights

Over the years, I've seen many patients find relief from their menstrual pain through Gua sha. These case studies and insights serve as a testament to the potential of this ancient healing technique in treating modern health issues. Gua sha is more than just a physical treatment; it's a holistic approach to health that can help manage and alleviate period pain (dysmenorrhea).

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Hi, It's Clive

Director of Komorebi Institute

Hi, It's Clive

From researching underfunded healthcare in Uganda, to running a thriving chronic illness clinic in North Africa, to collaborating with hospitals in Sri Lanka to train staff and empower communities - My journey has been dedicated to democratizing access to beauty and health.