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If you’re unfamiliar with the therapeutic treatment of muscle scraping, you might think that it’s an invasive process where the muscles are literally scraped with sharp instruments, but that’s far from the truth. Muscle scraping involves using a tool to apply pressure to the treatment area and then moving the instrument along the skin. The treatments are relatively painless and encourage blood flow to the affected area, promoting healing.
The medical professionals at ChiroCare of Florida use muscle scraping as part of a holistic approach to patient healing. If you have injuries or muscular pain, muscle scraping may be an effective treatment for you.
As is the case with so many Western medicine treatment alternatives, muscle scraping, or gua sha, is a practice that was developed in ancient China. The name gua sha literally translates to “to scrape petechia.” Petechiae are tiny pinpoint spots on the skin that are caused by bleeding. The spots look red or purple and sometimes look like a rash. So, in the case of gua sha, the name comes from a harmless side-effect of the treatment.
Little is known about the origin of gua sha, but researchers are confident that gua sha was in use during the Paleolithic Age (pre-civilization) and can say with certainty that the elite women of the Chinese dynasties were employing it 2,000 years ago. The materials that the ancients used to administer this treatment have included polished stones, jade, animal horns, copper, and other metals.
The theory of gua sha developed by early practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is that the treatments promoted blood flow and unblocked energy pathways within the body. Individuals familiar with acupuncture may already be familiar with this goal that underlies so many of the TCM treatments.
The modern medical name for gua sha is instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization (IASTM), but most people, including many chiropractors, use the common term “muscle scraping.”
These are the steps we take when assessing a patient’s injury area and administering muscle scraping treatments.
A medical professional will talk to you about your symptoms and areas of discomfort. They will physically examine you and may ask you to make certain movements that will give clues about your underlying condition. If they believe that your condition would benefit from muscle scraping (conditions will be discussed in the next session), they will administer treatment.
The specialist administering the treatment will apply a lubricant to the treatment area. This will allow them to maximize the pressure without damaging the skin.
Our specialists have several muscle-scraping tools at their disposal. The tool that they select will depend on the area of your body that they’re treating and the nature of your injury.
The therapist selects the optimal point at which to begin the treatment. They will apply pressure to the treatment area and then drag or scrape the implement along the target area. They may use a combination of up-and-down, back-and-forth, and circular motions. They may stop to spend more time on knots or tight areas, similar to the way a licensed massage therapist will focus on these areas.
Adhesions are bands of scar tissue that can result from injury or just the trauma experienced through intense exercise. The pressure during muscle scraping pulls these adhesions apart, which can improve your mobility. It can also take the pressure off of nerves that may be causing physical pain and weakness in the muscles. Blood flow increases, which promotes healing and oxygenation of the wounded area.
Your skin may appear red and bruised after treatment, but it’s mostly aesthetic, and you shouldn’t be too uncomfortable. You can ignore it until it goes away or apply lotions that don’t irritate your skin. If you use a cosmetic or lotion that exacerbates the redness, discontinue use until your skin heals naturally.
Your therapist may recommend stretching to keep the underlying muscles loose and supple. Ice may also alleviate post-treatment soreness.
Like chiropractic treatments and massage, muscle scraping can be used to treat a wide variety of injuries. Here are some of the most common conditions that muscle scraping can treat:
The advantages of IASTM or muscle scraping for patients are numerous. This is one of the reasons that many chiropractors, including the ones at ChiroCare of Florida, include it in their treatment repertoire. Here are some of the top benefits of IASTM:
Muscle scraping does not involve incisions or injections. It is done completely on the surface.
IASTM is performed without medication or anesthetic. While there may be some discomfort, it’s similar to the level of pain one might experience during an intense massage.
Most patients are able to immediately resume whatever activities they were able to conduct before treatment. The sessions do not take long and can be incorporated with other treatments you may be receiving during your appointment.
Many patients notice immediate improvement after each treatment, particularly when it comes to pain relief and flexibility. It should be noted, however, that if you don’t find yourself feeling immediately better, it does not mean that the treatment is ineffective. You may require several sessions before you achieve noticeable results.
Depending on your condition, you may experience pain relief quickly after your treatment.
Because muscle scraping breaks down adhesions, you may notice a rapid improvement in your mobility.
One of the greatest benefits of muscle scraping is that it helps to improve blood flow to areas for damage. This accelerates healing and helps to reduce inflammation.
There are some risks to muscle scraping, particularly when patients try to administer these treatments on their own.
To begin with, you can expect some bruising and discoloration that will last a few days. You may also feel some pain and discomfort as the body heals. In addition, individuals who are susceptible to blood clots should avoid muscle scraping. Pregnant women should follow their doctor’s advice when it comes to muscle scraping.
ChiroCare of Florida is South Florida’s premier chiropractic and wellness clinic, with nine locations throughout Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. We accept most major health insurance plans. If you are experiencing pain, stiffness, lack of mobility, or another musculoskeletal issue, call ChiroCare and schedule an appointment. One of our highly trained medical staff members can recommend a course of treatment for you.
