I Had Recurring Pain Until I Tried This All-Natural Chinese Healing Method
Gua sha is a natural method to reduce inflammation rooted in Chinese medicine that includes a ceramic spoon, metal cap with a rounded edge, or jade formed into a round-edge instrument. In recent years, in addition to rolling with either jade or rose quartz, skincare enthusiasts have encouraged us to add them to our self-care regimens. What's often left out of the conversation is that Gua sha is an effective tool on our entire bodies, and not just our faces.
A few months ago, I came across Tiffany Haddish having a Gua sha tool used on her neck by a licensed Gua sha massage therapist called Tha Muscle Whisper. The comedian was seen being scraped to eliminate the build-up and lactic acid in her body. Instantly, I was intrigued because of the inflammation that was running rampant throughout my own body.
I'm currently on a weight loss journey and when I reached my halfway point, I started to run and incorporate HIIT workouts into my weekly routine. About two months into my workout regimen, I had unbearable pains in my legs, and upon visiting the doctor, I discovered that I developed tendonitis, an inflammation of the tendon caused by repetitive use or injury. My body wasn't ready for the righteous workouts that I had started to enjoy, and my doctor recommended that I explore physical therapy––and injections.
I was confident that physical therapy would help, but months in, I was still in excruciating pain. My daily commute to the city had me walking a lot, and for the treatment to work, I'd have to spend hours a day off my feet so my therapist recommended that I'd consider cortisone injections.
Yasmine Jameelah/xoNecole
A month into the injections, I realized that it was a short-term fix, and I wanted to fight this holistically. I researched massages, doctors, and nothing spoke to me the way Gua sha did.
I had a FaceTime call with Jackie, Tha Muscle Whisperer, and she and I worked to tackle the inflamed areas of my body that I'd been searching for relief in. The next morning, I woke up with bruises––but days later, I felt so much relief and I now scrape at least two times a month.
Finding deeper relief from Gua sha scraping has empowered me to explore healing in multiple areas of my body where pain and trauma lived. Often we don't realize that our body holds onto pain just as much as we do, and now I turn to Gua sha instead of any over-the-counter medicine.
Here's what I've learned since using body Gua sha healing:
Why Gua Sha Works
The root word of Gua sha, Gua, comes from traditional Chinese medicine and is often referred to as scraping. The motion used causes tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin called capillaries to burst and creates red or purple bruises. Gua sha is used to eliminate lactic acid, and inflammation is the underlying cause of several conditions associated with chronic pain. Rubbing the skin's surface allows for practitioners to improve blood circulation, break up fascia, and promote healing. While facial Gua sha scraping is used to improve wrinkles, and de-puff our faces, body Gua sha scraping is often used solely to reduce pain.
What Gua Sha Can Help To Eliminate
Gua sha can help eliminate muscle tightness, pre-menopausal pain, inflammation, breast engorgement, cellulite, knee pain, migraine headaches, carpal tunnel, arthritis, and repetitive strain injuries.
What To Expect After Gua Sha Treatment
When it comes to post-Gua sha treatment, you can expect bruises and soreness in the body. The marks itself will go away within a few days but to give yourself relief, apply ice to the inflamed area.
Body Gua Sha VS Face Gua Sha
Shutterstock
The strokes that are used in scraping for the face are milder, in comparison to body scrapes as they are a bit more intense, and typically oil is applied to the area. But do not let the pain deter you from the healing that will take place in the aftermath, it's the best pain I've ever felt.
You Shouldn’t Scrape If You:
- Have medical conditions affecting the skin or veins
- Bleed easily
- Take medication to thin their blood
- Have deep vein thrombosis
- Have an infection, tumor, or wound that has not healed fully
- Have an implant, such as a pacemaker or internal defibrillator
(Via Medical News Today)
How To Find A Gua Sha Massage Therapist
While many people (especially during COVID-19) are practicing self-healing, it's recommended to only seek out a licensed Gua sha massage therapist.
Our bodies hold inflammation, pain, and trauma in certain areas consistently. Before going to receive an injection or over-the-counter pills, consider this holistic method and be empowered to explore an alternative to healing.
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Dubbed one of the "21 Black Women Wellness Influencers You Should Follow" by Black + Well, Yasmine Jameelah continues to leave her digital footprint across platforms ranging from Forever 21 Plus, Vaseline, and R29 Unbothered discussing all things healing and body positivity. As a journalist, her writing can be found on sites such as Blavity, Blacklove.com, and xoNecole. Jameelah is also known for her work shattering unconventional stigmas surrounding wellness through her various mediums, including her company Transparent Black Girl. Find Yasmine @YasmineJameelah across all platforms.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When you think of a Virgo, you think of Beyoncé, Zendaya, Idris Elba, Keke Palmer, and more. You think of the type of celebrities that have made their presence known through their tact, dignity, and work ethic. Individuals who own their skillset, yet also embrace a humble sort of approach to how they choose to express themselves and all they have done and accomplished.
Virgos are the type of people who will dedicate their whole lives to their careers but won’t sacrifice their vision or their personal taste in the process. They are the taskmasters of the zodiac, and the success of this earth sign is not only earned, but it is highly admirable.
Have you ever wondered why Beyoncé seems to do more in 24 hours than the average person? We have all heard the saying, “What Would Beyoncé Do?” when debating on how to move forward with something, and that is because Virgos can see solutions and the time it will take to execute said solution within seconds after presenting them with something. Virgos are the type of people you want on your team or leading the team altogether because they know what it takes to get the job done. In addition to making her mark in the haircare game with CÉCRED, Beyoncé has released three works of art within the past five years, each album its own entity and its own piece of her.
Beyoncé celebrates the launch of her hair care line, CÉCRED, with an intimate gathering.Julian Dakdouk/Parkwood Media/WireImage via Parkwood
Virgos are a mutable sign, once you think you fully understand them, they will do something that keeps you on your toes. Hence, Beyoncé's newest work of art, her country-inspired album, Cowboy Carter, has fully shaken the music industry and changed the way we look at different genres and what is possible for its artists.
If you ask a Virgo what it means to be a Virgo, they’re going to say, “Beyoncé is a Virgo.” They know the weight those words hold and that by saying that alone, you get the full picture of what it means to be a Virgo.
"That Beyoncé, at 42, having worked in the entertainment industry since she was a teenager, is still conquering new charts is a testament to her work ethic, longevity and sheer cultural staying power," @KarenAttiah writes. https://t.co/o9wbBTcdyh
— Washington Post Opinions (@PostOpinions) April 7, 2024
No one is more proud to be a Virgo than Beyoncé, and no other zodiac sign is more proud to share a sign with a celebrity like Beyoncé than other Virgos. Her songs, "Virgo’s Groove," "Spaghetti," "Gift from Virgo," and the classic, "Signs," all showcase Beyoncé's love for the Virgo Maiden.
Virgos own their presence and stand by the work they do because they don’t do anything that doesn’t align with who they are. Virgos are perfectionists, but you can’t help but admire the fact that someone cares enough to want to make something perfect in the first place.
This dedication to their work is commendable, which is often why people look at these Virgo celebrities like Beyoncé in complete awe.
Virgos are so lucky.
— Issa Rae (@IssaRae) July 29, 2022
A Virgo’s mind is like a computer, they are constantly analyzing information, figuring out what serves and what doesn’t, and making sure they have all the details. Virgos pay close attention to everything, and a lot of this has to do with the fact that they are Mercury-ruled as Mercury is their planetary ruler. Being a Mercurian is being someone who is ruled by the mind, and who is constantly receiving and seeking new information and insight. Virgos are organized, pragmatic, hard-working, intelligent, and love to help and be of service to others.
In Astrology, Virgo rules the 6th house which is the area of life that has to do with daily routine, lifestyle, work, health, colleagues, acts of service, and overall wellness. They do everything at 100% and you can see it in the results they bring.
Virgos don’t miss a beat, and you can look at all of Zendaya’s work and runway looks to support that statement.
Zendaya attends the World Premiere of 'Dune: Part Two' in 2024.
Samir Hussein/WireImage
The roles she has played throughout her career have all been vastly different, yet she has excelled in everyone and has created her own space in Hollywood. Virgos take one project and will not only accomplish it but will then look to top it and see how much further they can evolve from there.
Zendaya began her career in acting and has now produced for Euphoria, the Netflix film, Malcolm & Marie, and has goals to step into the director chair one day. This is the progression of Virgo.
Denis Villeneuve and Spielberg talking about Zendaya and how Denis could see her as a director 😊 pic.twitter.com/zPQCA0FUOM
— Justin (@jerstonfilm) March 26, 2024
Following the success of this year'sDune: Part Two, Zendaya’s new movie, The Challengers opens another new door for Zendaya and showcases the wide range this powerhouse is capable of. A Virgo is always trying to do better than who they were yesterday, and people close to them can attest to this.
So many fellow peers and colleagues who work with Zendaya rave about her work ethic and how much dedication she puts into what she does, and that energy translates on screen and to her fan base as well. Virgos are highly involved in everything they do and Zendaya’s press tour looks whenever she is working on a new project highlights that.
Zendaya’s red hair during the Spider-Man press tour, something seemingly so small, had such an impact because of her attention to detail. Or any of Zendaya’s Met Gala looks which always make the top list of best-dressed celebrities. Her attention to detail might even extend to her beauty choices as the starlet even once said toVogue Australia that she preferred to do her own makeup because, "I’m a Virgo and I know what I like."
Zendaya attends the Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination Costume Institute Gala at The Met.
Noam Galai/Getty Images for New York Magazine
Virgos have a way of making efficiency look easy, effortless even. You give them a task, they are going to understand the assignment. These are the type of people who will work enthusiastically with you, and who love to feel like what they do or what they say, can truly have an impact on people. Virgo celebrities showcase this earth sign well, and their high standards translate into quality work. They think through everything, and their professionalism is often what leads them to success in life.
Just know, while you are sleeping, there is a Virgo out there who is working or thinking about their next move, and this is a sign that deserves all her flowers.
Honorable Virgo Celebrity Mentions:Jennifer Hudson, Taraji P. Henson, Tyler Perry, Michael Jackson, Kat Williams, Cassie, Jada Pinkett Smith, Wiz Khalifa, Justine Skye, Jodie Turner-Smith, Sanaa Lathan, Angela Simmons, Ava DuVernay, Ludacris, Nas, Sofia Richie, Metro Boomin, Lil Yachty, Damon Wayans, Dave Chappelle, and more.
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Featured image by Daniele Venturelli/WireImage