Gua Sha vs. Tui Na

After Gua Sha started to gain attention on social media, people started to look for alternatives to it. Chinese medicine has a rich history of different massage practices, with different purposes and techniques. As they differ, you will have to find the one that meets your needs.

As such, some people are thinking of Tui Na massage as an alternative for Gua Sha. However, there is a considerable difference between the two.

What are Gua Sha and Tui Na?

Gua Sha is a massage performed with crystal stones like jade and rose quartz. Tools like a flat stone or roller are used to roll or glide over your face. This enhances lymphatic drainage to drain toxins from your skin. The benefits of Gua Sha include healthier skin, a more-lifted face and reduced puffiness.

On the other hand, Tui Na is an ancient Chinese body massage that aims to correct the qi (energy) imbalance. This massage technique balances the yin and yang in your body. Tui Na massage releases muscle tension, improves blood flow, and combats many ailments, including digestion and respiratory problems. 

Is Gua Sha better than Tui Na?

Gua Sha 

• Gua Sha is performed by crystals such as Jade and Rose Quartz. You can get them in the form of  face rollers too. 
• Gua Sha can also be done at home. It takes about 20 minutes 
• Gua Sha's goal is to drain the lymphatic fluids, get rid of skin toxins, and sculpt the face. The result is healthy, glowing skin that is free from acne.
• Over time, Gua Sha can also mitigate the appearance of cellulite. 
• Gua Sha can also effectively treat neck pain, back pain, and headaches. 

Tui Na

• Tui Na does not need any tools and has to be performed by an expert. 
• Tui Na aims to balance the yin and yang in your body and remove any blockages caused by their imbalance.
• As mentioned before, Tui Na can be a solution for back pain, headache, digestive problems, insomnia, and respiratory diseases.

Gua Sha vs. Tui Na: A Comparison

It is difficult to compare Gua Sha and Tui Na as they are different in nature. Tui Na face massage is rarely heard of as Tui Na focuses on the body and overall health. Nonetheless, we came up with a comparison between both techniques.

• Gua Sha is a relaxing face massage. The stones used for massages (jade or rose quartz) are cool to touch and have a soothing effect on the skin. Tui Na massage may not be so relaxing. You may feel pain or discomfort in certain parts of your body. Tui Na is not suitable for the face. 
• Gua Sha is a remedy for tensed facial muscles, puffed faces, acne, wrinkles, and double chin. It can also cure neck pain, headache, cellulite, back acne. In contrast, Tui Na is used for health problems related to respiratory ailments, digestion problems and back issues.

Is Gua Sha bad for body massage? No, Gua Sha can still be used for headaches, neck pain, and back pain. However, Tui Na is more effective for conditions like backache, fatigue, musculoskeletal disorders, insomnia and digestive problems.

For the face, Gua Sha serves as an excellent massage. It sculpts your face and promotes healthier skin. In conclusion, we would say that both massages have different purposes and cannot be used as an alternative for one another. 

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