Your Gua Sha Can Release The Jaw Tension Life Afflicts Us With. Here's How

Your medicine cabinet is probably overflowing with an arsenal of beauty tools, but if you don't have a gua sha tool, here's why you need to get one — stat. Gua sha is an ancient Chinese practice of scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool to increase blood circulation. The traditional Eastern healing method was believed to help move energy (or chi) around the body.

Traditionally, a stone or tool made from an ox horn was used to practice gua sha, but don't worry — you won't have to carve your own. Gua sha tools can easily be purchased online or at a health and beauty store. Many of them are made from jade or stainless steel, and they're inexpensive as well.

Gua sha can help with a host of ailments, from smoothing wrinkles to fighting inflammation. It can also relieve muscle and joint pain in your body. The tool allows the user to put more pressure on the body, making it great for massaging easy-to-reach areas, like the face and neck. If you're like many of us and carry tension around your jaw, owning a gua sha tool can be a lifesaver.

Using a gua sha tool on your facial area can be tricky, as the pressure can lead to small red spots under the skin called petechiae. Don't be alarmed, though — petechiae is a completely normal result of gua sha and is akin to light bruising. When massaging your jawline, though, you don't want to cause redness around the face. Here's how to safely gua sha away your pain.

Apply a bit of facial oil or cream around your jawline in order for the tool to glide smoothly. Using the rounded part of the gua sha tool, make small, circular motions, starting near your ear and working your way toward the center of your chin. Repeat on the other side until you have relieved all tension from your jaw. Next, use the flat side of the gua sha tool to make a sweeping motion from your jaw to your cheeks. Be sure your tool is held at a 45-degree angle pointing upwards. This will help you avoid putting too much pressure on the skin, which may result in redness.

The practice of gua sha is safe and there are no known side effects, other than mild bruising and petechiae, but talk to your doctor about any concerns before beginning. After you get the green light, you can gua sha your face on a daily basis, as long as you're gentle and use facial oil as lubrication. Minimally, you should use the tool three times a week to get the most benefit. If you're prone to grinding your teeth at night, try to work a gua sha session into your morning routine. Do you find yourself clenching your jaw throughout the day? Use your gua sha at night after you've cleansed and oiled your face.

The added bonus of using a gua sha on your face is that it can increase circulation, leading to reduced puffiness, tighter skin, and an overall brighter complexion. The practice can also add plumpness to the face, which means you may be able to say goodbye to injectables. Incorporating gua sha into your daily routine can safely alleviate your stiff jaw, and more youthful skin is just an extra benefit.