Guasha

[MamaBas]

Today in one of our massage classes, we used some guasha tools and some stones (sort of like river rocks the size of your hand) to do direct myofascial release work (like a chiropractor would do with graston tools or a physical therapist would do with ASTYM tools).

Is anyone out there using this as part of their massage techniques?


Patrick

 

[Febe]

Yes.... check out this link:

http://asianbodyworktherapies.blogspot.com/2007/08/gua-sha.html

I think there are a few of us that use gua sha with our Asian Bodywork therapies or massage.

 

[audubano]

Thanks!

I was wondering if this is out of the scope of practice for a massage thearpist? Our teacher is a chiropractor, and obviously they are allowed to practice graston technique so this is fine for them. I asked him and he said that it was fine to use the tools, but you can't call it something specific like graston or ASTYM or gua sha when you tell people about it. you just have to say that what you are doing is direct myofascial release using some massge tools. I still wasn't sure if using tools like this was allowed though?

Patrick

 

[Tucker M]

I've never heard of gua sha being related to MFR.

I guess I always considered it more traditional chinese/oriental medicine, more in the domain of energy work as one is working with seforum.xxxnant chi, isn't one? At least that's how it had been explained to me...

 

[Angel H]

I've never heard of gua sha being related to MFR.

I guess I always considered it more traditional chinese/oriental medicine, more in the domain of energy work as one is working with seforum.xxxnant chi, isn't one? At least that's how it had been explained to me...

Thanks for the reply maestra.

So, would that put this OUT of a massage therapists scope of practice (IE, we would have to have studied traditional chinese/oriental medicine)?

I am just trying to figure out where this fits in....

He related it to myofascial release by describing it as a technique like ART (or any other direct myfascial technique...Graston, ASTYM, etc) where you are breaking up fibrosis. He did say that there is a tie in to chi, also.

thanks,

Patrick

 

[Henry]

I think state laws are going to determine if it is within an MT's scope of practice. Some include oriental therapies with massage licensing, some do not. If the technique does not require licensing, you will be able to do it even though it is not technically massage. My guess is that it isn't protected by licensing in too many states, but your safest bet is to check with your regulating agency.

 

[Kit Fang]

I think state laws are going to determine if it is within an MT's scope of practice. Some include oriental therapies with massage licensing, some do not. If the technique does not require licensing, you will be able to do it even though it is not technically massage. My guess is that it isn't protected by licensing in too many states, but your safest bet is to check with your regulating agency.

Funny you say that,

I have been trying to find info about the use of these tools on the arizona massage bored website. I don't know what exactly I am looking for or where it would be listed under the rules and regulations. I guess I should look to see if T-bar's are also covered? If you can give me an idea of where in the rules and regulations I should be looking for or what key word headings this information will be listed under, that would help a ton!

Thank you.

Patrick

 

[Halli]

Well.....I'm in WI, so it is going to look a bit different. Our regulations say specifically that we cannot do scrubs and wraps because those are protected by the practice of cosmetology.

I seriously doubt that the tools you are looking at are protected. If your board doesn't say one way or another, try checking to see if there is licensing for oriental therapies. If there is, see if they have any specific techniques protected...saying nobody can practice this without their specific licensing. Check the chiropractic board to see what therapies/techniques/terminology is protected by their license.

Actually, your school should be able to locate all the legal information for you. If they present a technique to you, you should feel very free to hold them accountable to give you ALL the information, such as whether or not you can legally do what they are presenting.

 

[DAVIS lax #36]

It does appear that guasha has become westernized. Interesting. I was taught it when I took an extensive course on Asian Bodywork/Shiatsu/Tui Na.

I live in a non-licensed state so its never been a legal issue doing it. I am certified by the NCCAOM in ABT.

Hopefuuly you can find something out but I highly doubt you will encounter any state legal issues.

 

[Chip O]

Thanks.

I couldn't find it on the AZ state website, so I emailed them. I will report back when (and if) they return my email.

Patrick

 

[Due 8/22/09 w/ #2!]

here is what the AZ massage bore told me:

32-4201. Definitions

In this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Board" means the board of massage therapy.

2. "Board recognized school" means any massage therapy or bodywork therapy school or training program in this state that is offered by a community college or approved by the state board for private postsecondary education or a school or program in another state that meets the criteria established by the board of massage therapy.

3. "Bodywork therapy" means massage therapy.

4. "Massage therapist" means a person who is licensed under this chapter to engage in the practice of massage therapy.

5. "Massage therapy" means the following that are undertaken to increase wellness, relaxation, stress reduction, pain relief and postural improvement or provide general or specific therapeutic benefits:

(a) The manual application of compression, stretch, vibration or mobilization of the organs and tissues beneath the dermis, including the components of the musculoskeletal system, peripheral vessels of the circulatory system and fascia, when applied primarily to parts of the body other than the hands, feet and head.

(b) The manual application of compression, stretch, vibration or mobilization using the forearms, elbows, knees or feet or handheld mechanical or electrical devices.

(c) Any combination of range of motion, directed, assisted or passive movements of the joints.

(d) Hydrotherapy, including the therapeutic applications of water, heat, cold, wraps, essential oils, skin brushing, salt glows and similar applications of products to the skin.

6. "Practice of massage therapy" means the application of massage therapy to any person for a fee or other consideration. Practice of massage therapy does not include the diagnosis of illness or disease, medical procedures, naturopathic manipulative medicine, osteopathic manipulative medicine, chiropractic adjustive procedures, homeopathic neuromuscular integration, electrical stimulation, ultrasound, prescription of medicines or the use of modalities for which a license to practice medicine, chiropractic, nursing, occupational therapy, athletic training, physical therapy, acupuncture or podiatry is required by law.



We do not have different modalities or techniques listed on our website.

I guess they are not very clear about specific tools...

Patrick

 

[atom f]

It does appear that gua sha does fit within the definition.

My question is why they exclude he hands, feet and head? Not that you can't touch those, but that they consider it massage if it is on the rest of the body.

 

[SUE]

R of S;

It's most likely because cosmetology practices are licensed to touch head, hands, and feet, doing manicures, pedicures, and facials. For instance, in Oregon I think it reads something like they can touch the hands up through the forarms. But they aren't licensed "beyond" those areas.
savannah

 

[Spending Cheese]

R of S;

It's most likely because cosmetology practices are licensed to touch head, hands, and feet, doing manicures, pedicures, and facials. For instance, in Oregon I think it reads something like they can touch the hands up through the forarms. But they aren't licensed "beyond" those areas.
savannah

I guess that makes sense, but I'd think those would be obvious crossover areas.....both would be including hands, feet and heads. Interesting. I certainly doubt that this means massage therapists *can't* massage them, though. I'm seeing it through eyes that read WI regs.....and WI regs don't apply outside of WI.

 

[Queen V]

It does appear that gua sha does fit within the definition.

My question is why they exclude he hands, feet and head? Not that you can't touch those, but that they consider it massage if it is on the rest of the body.

This comes from the Reflexology exemption allowed in Arizona, it has nothing to do with cosmetology. The wording was inserted specifically to allow Reflexologists to practice without having to go back to school to train in massage therapy just to practice on the "hands feet and head (i.e. ears)."