Body combing is a very old tradition, dating thousands of years and originating from ancient china. It was practiced daily as a form of gua sha using a variety of tools. Mainly a crystal comb or a gua sha crystal tool (shaped like a triangle). They were performed by the rich and powerful to maintain their vitality, power and appearance
In traditional Chinese medicine (where Gua sha originates) there are many daily practices that maintained your health, wellness and beauty and were intended to prevent sickness. These rituals are becoming increasingly popular today and have stood the test of time.
By using a gua sha tool daily on your body and face it was thought to activate the qi and blood ( energy and circulation of the body and internal organs ) . The face reflects the state of your internal health in traditional Chinese thinking . By keeping the circulation of energy and blood around the body it invigorates and promotes youthful skin and a healthy complexion
Tui Na (a form of traditional Chinese medical massage) employs the use of body combing by stimulating the acupuncture channels of the limbs and scalp . Many Chinese people still to this day practice these rituals daily on themselves to increase their longevity and well being.
Modern research into gua sha has shown that it increases micro-circulation by 400% during and after a treatment and the effects remain for at least 25 minutes after the treatment. Gua Sha Treatments can reduce pain in the area treated and in many cases in the surrounding tissue. (1)
Introducing body combing into your daily beauty rituals will tone and lift the skin. It is very useful for firming the body, neck and face, eliminating toxins and preventing sagging. The coolness and properties of the crystals also close and tighten the pores.
To Perform Body Combing on the Limbs
- Simply start by applying the organic stretch mark and cellulite serum to the body from the bottom of the limbs working upwards.
- Always start on the right side of the body- once completed repeat on the left side of the body.
- Always stroke upwards never in a downward motion.
- Work from the outside of the body inwards. (outer leg to inner leg) - It is important with any form of massage to work with vascular and lymphatic drainage to avoid blood pooling in the limbs.
- Use the comb gently!
- Starting with the outside of the legs from the outer right ankle.
- Use the pointed end of the gua sha or the gua sha comb and gently massage in a circular motion directly upwards to the knee and the repeat working towards the inside of the leg.
- Repeat on all areas on the right side of the body working up the body and then on the repeat on the left side - Traditionally it is understood that energy circulates from the right side of the body to the left and it is believed you will achieve better results this way.
- You can also repeat the stroking motion using the other side of the comb (the smooth side or the smooth side of the gua sha)!
To use the crystal comb on the scalp:
- Use the pointed end of the gua sha comb on the right side of the scalp first.
- Start at the front of the hair line and work backwards towards the neck.
- When you have completed this motion return to the front of the hair line and start slightly closer to the mid line of the scalp and work back towards the neck again.
- Keep repeating this until you reach the mid line and then repeat on teh left side.
- The most important point to remember is to work from front to back.
Body combing can be performed by using a crystal comb or crystal gua sha tool. It only takes a few minutes a day. It can also be followed with or alternated daily with body cupping and the intensive (spikey) Jade roller as well as fortnightly sessions of micro needling.
There are 12 acupuncture channels that circulate the body, using this technique on the arms, legs and the scalp can stimulate all of the major channels of the body to produce better health.
Learn More About
Crystal Combs
Crystal Gua Sha
Body Cupping
Intensive Jade Roller
Micro-needling Rollers
1. Nielsen A, et al. (2007). The effect of Gua Sha treatment on the microcirculation of surface tissue: a pilot study in healthy subjects. Explore (NY). Sep-Oct;3(5):456-66.