I purchased an e-voucher via StreetDeal:
Tui Na Gua Sha Back Treatment at My Beauty Reseafrch
Total treatment duration: 30 minutes
Tui Na improve blood and lymph circulation
It has great healing properties to treat ailments such as back pains
Back cupping promotes better blood flow that in turn encourages healing
I wanted to use my first two vouchers purchased via StreetDeal because those vouchers led me to a $88 scam. I couldn't get appointments after work, thus, I used above. I still have a lot of buys to execute but StreetDeals didn't have any good deals that attract me. Hope I could use up the credits and then cancel my Premium Membership before the next quarter starts.
If readers have read my earlier pages, you'll know I have tried cupping. 5 Sep, Friday was my first time to try Gua Sha so I was looking forward to find out how much it can relieve by back aches.
Upon reaching My Beauty Research located at Rochor Centre (near Bugis mrt), I was greeted by a tall and slim China therapist. She said 30 min isn't going to allow her to do much so she suggested that I top up $18 for a full body treatment. Yes, I heard full body, not 1 hour as the key words. The way the China therapist said about paying additional money wasn't something hard selling. It made sense that 30 min to have Tui Na, Cupping and Gua Sha is really insufficient. By the way, I thought full body means head to toes like what I have experienced elsewhere but not with My Beauty Research. Total I paid $9.90 + $18 for my first visit. Paying an extra $18 is definitely better than paying for Expression cold slimming sheet (Fat Freeze mask). I paid for two pieces of masks at $20 +gst but I was obviously cheated. What the consultant showed me wasn't what the therapist used. The Expression therapist took out one packet of Fat Freeze mask and torn the mask into two sheets. That was the worst top up I had. From then on, any deal merchants asking me to pay before I receive treatment will be denied. If they insist that I must pay first, I'll tell them to stick to whatever terms stated in the e-voucher, not keen to top up/upgrade and then regret.
Therapist gave me a small cup of water, telling me I should drink water because I wanted to do Gua Sha and Cupping. By drinking sufficient water before and after will help to purge out toxins. Then she showed me to a room to undress and put on a disposable underwear. Therapist started with back Tui Na. Her strokes were something acceptable and not those soothing kneading. Since I've chosen to upgrade, she applied better essential oil which I didn't feel oily when I reached home. Other wellness centres, the massage oil that they used made my soles oily and after shower, I still didn't feel the oil on my feet and ankle area being completely washed off.
Next was Gua Sha. It was painful. Therapist was amazed that I didn't scream out in pain. She said since I could endure pain, probably taking up a package for monthly 'maintenance' will suit me. If I have back pain, I shouldn't just wait till it becomes unbearable. Gua Sha - the scrapping was really painful, although I didn't scream but my muscles get tensed/toughen.
Gua Sha is an East Asian healing technique. Gua means to scrape or rub. Sha is a ‘reddish, elevated, millet-like skin rash’. Sha is the term used to describe Blood stasis in the subcutaneous tissue before and after it is raised as petechiae. Gua Sha is the technique that intentionally raises Sha rash or petechiae.
When is Gua Sha used?
Gua Sha is usually used when a patient has pain whether associated with an acute or chronic disorder. There may be aching, tenderness and/or a knotty feeling in the muscles. Palpation reveals Sha when normal finger pressure on a patient’s skin causes blanching that is slow to fade. In addition to resolving musculo skeletal pain, Gua Sha is used to treat and prevent common cold, flu, bronchitis, asthma, as well as any chronic disorder involving pain, congestion of Qi and Blood.
Where is Gua Sha applied?
Sha is raised primarily at the Yang surface of the body: the back, face, neck, shoulders, buttocks, and limbs. On occasion, Gua Sha is applied at the chest and abdomen.
Gua Sha Procedure
- Lubricate the area with Gua Sha oil, or white flower oil
- Skip the areas with moles, cuts or unhealed areas.
- Hold the gua sha tool at a thirty degree angle to the skin allowing the smooth edge will touch the skin.
- The skin is then rubbed with a round-edged instrument in downward strokes.
- One area is stroked until the petechiae that surface are completely raised. If there is no Blood stasis the petechiae will not form and the skin will only turn pink.
Gua Sha stroke areas
Observe that the sha petechiae should fade in about 2-4 days. If it takes longer to fade, it indicates poor blood circulation and there may be more serious deficiency that will require additional treatments with combination of acupuncture or acupressure in specific areas. Gua sha treatment can be used up to three times weekly, and is most effective when used as a weekly treatment on chronic conditions.
What does the type of Sha indicate?
The color of the Sha is both diagnostic and prognostic. Very light colored Sha can indicate Deficiency of Blood. If the Sha is fresh red, it is of recent penetration. If the Sha is purple or black, the Blood stasis is long-standing. If brown, the Blood may be dry. Dark red Sha can indicate heat.
What are the benefits of Gua Sha?
In most cases the patient feels immediate improvement in their condition particularly in their pain or sense of constraint. Gua Sha moves stuck Qi and Blood, releases the exterior mimicking sweating, and moves Fluids. In a modern medical construct these fluids contain metabolic waste that congested the surface tissues and muscles. Gua Sha promotes circulation and normalizes metabolic processes. It is a valuable treatment for both external and internal pain, and facilitates the resolution of both acute and chronic disorders.
Is Gua Sha Safe?
Gua Sha is a completely safe technique, but it is serious medicine. Knowing when to use it and what to expect from treatment is as important as good technique. People who live in chronic pain often erect emotional defenses to cope with it or can feel completely hopeless. Having that pain ‘touched’ and relieved can be unsettling, even shocking. It is good to be moderate in activity after treatment, even rest. After treatment, stay mellow, no drugs, booze, vigorous activity, exercise, fasting, feasting or hard labor for the rest of the day.
Last treatment was cupping. The sucking of flesh into the cups were 'shiok'. I didn't feel really tight and painful, maybe because I have enough fats to 'lubricate'. While doing cupping, therapist massaged my legs. Thought she'll focus on my thighs, do some 'toning and pushing' but she didn't. One point is that, I didn't like the way she pressed my fingers to hear the 'click' sound. Basically, it was a one hour session. Didn't wear my watch so I wasn't sure did I really receive 60 mins solid service. Note that if you opt for full body treatment and certain area required additional time, it will eat up your one hour entitlement. The one hour also includes the time therapist is out to find her accessories. Quite disappointed because I realised my tummy isn't going to get any Tui Na.
When I got dressed, I could feel the aching part feeling better. There wasn't any burning sensation, skin bruised or therapist didn't hit the nail feeling.
Finally, therapist sat down and gave me her package price. She gave me a 10 hours deal at $680 + 5 free hours. She promised that each visit (one hour session), I can choose Tui Na, Gua Sha and/or Cupping. If I want to bring my friend or relative to utilise my hours, it is ok. My Beauty Research also offer facials. If I have taken up a package, I need to top up $20 + my one hour credit for facial. That makes each facial at $68 + $20 because she said she will use two good ampules. The reason why I took up a package is because therapist asked "Are you keen? If not, I shall not carry on" That makes me feel good. I hate beauticians/therapists kept hard selling from the time I stepped in, lie down to receive treatment till the time I sat down with her to talk.... simply refuse to let me leave or get a 车轮战. I highlighted to China therapist that I hope whatever she promised will be delivered and the service doesn't turn bad. I had other bad experiences related to signing up packages. Each time I visited, I get drilled over and over again, a real mental torture. It was not some pleasurable experience.
The price offered isn't something really cheap or cannot be missed. I can get better price elsewhere, eg the TCM registered Physician cum therapist in Jurong Point. Her year 2014 rate is $50 for each spot trreatment. Example my back, it is considered one area. She will do acupuncture, cupping then tuina - no time limit. If Chinese medicine is required, she can prescribe but all her prescriptions are expensive. I visited her last month, her rate has increased from $38 to $50 and she was still using the same curtains to separate her male and female patients. Should try Gua Sha when I was there, regret! Not something I will look forward to re-visit... believe that's my last visit to a place with no privacy for women. I bought some stuff and plasters from her, the same plasters, I found Yu Hwa selling at half price only!
Buying online e-voucher means you get to try a cheap deal but the point I want to highlight is, the beautican/therapist tend to pay more attention and give you better service (to impress you and make you sign up a package). Of course hard selling is something they won't miss out but how many of you can guarantee that after taking a package, your beautican/therapist/consultant will leave you alone and won't persuade you to upgrade or try something else? I don't like beautican/therapist/consultant, telling me if I don't upgrade, I may get sub-standard service, the treatment is as good as nothing or she can't prove her services to me. Whatever the merchants offered online, buyer accept means she/he is keen for whatever stated. Same scenario for my experience at Moxibustion. It was indicated 120 min but the therapist tried to slash to one hour + make me top up for her best treatment. Some may argue if I hop around, I can't get a beautican/therapist who truly understands me. I don't believe this is totally true. Being a first time customer, you can tell your beautican/therapist your problems and preference so that she can recommend something or customise some treatment to suit you. Notice beauticans/therapists like to talk a lot (doesn't let customer be ear-free) so this is your chance to feed her with info.
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I didn't buy a 10 hours package because I have doubts on beauty center's service quality and hard selling tactics. My package is 5 hours + 2 hours free. If I have taken a 10 hours deal, there will be 5 hours free - each visit will cost $46 (one hour service rate). Having good discount and flexibility is great .... very attractive but is it good as a sales talk or customer's real experience?
I noticed I have developed rashes after visiting My Beauty Research, mild itch but it got to this stage because I couldn't resist scratching.
Wonder are the rashes due to the therapist's hands weren't clean. Therapist may have touched some other things, put oil on her palm and started to massage my legs without washing her hands..... my skin is quite sensitive. I am sure she has touched the cuppings ... used by many people without proper sterilisation and the lighting up of fire using alcohol to heat up and drain the air inside the cup. My previous cuppings were all vacuum type, I had my first flame suction experience in My Beauty Research.
Few years back, I had eczema near the joint areas (back of my knees were the worst) and it took me quite a long time to be healed with regular TCM visits - acupuncture and Chinese medication. I hope this time, I don't need to take almost a year to recover.
Have browsed online about Guasha. It seems that some people are unsuitable. Kind of worried.
The start of my package, visited My Beauty Research on 26 Sep. I decided to skip cupping but requested tuina and guasha for my tummy and back. I wanted to find out am I suitable for guasha. Showed the therapist my rashes, she asked did I eat something unsuitable. All the while I could eat seafood so I guess seafood is not the culprit. Then she asked did I change my body wash .... then she said if I can't resist the itch, she has a product that I could spray on to relieve itching. I said I have mist spray but lazy to carry out. Also all these can't stop the terrible itch..... anybody with eczema will understand.
Therapist spent some time massaging my back with ginger essential oil. This oil acts as a lubricant for guasha. If you are doing you own guasha, you can rub with essential oil (better) or simply guasha wearing your clothes, which means you need to use more strength.... according to web search. Then came my tummy. It was the gentle scrapping, unlike my back.... so painful. Therapist said she cannot use too much strength .... huh... but online I read if I want to break down the fats, the scrapping strokes should be hard.
After the one hour session ended, therapist asked me to consider having a full 10 hours package .... goodness, I merely utilised one hour, still have a balance of six hours .... she sure is a bit gancheong. She also repeated her suggestion to try facial at an additional $20 + one hour package time.... not keen. During that one hour, no hard selling, no product info, it was merely casual chat. Overall experience was ok, not really having annoying bombarding. Hope my next few visits will be good.
In the night, the itch didn't stop. I applied aloe vera hoping it could heal the ugly skin. The next day, I decided I better visit the Chinese Physician. He gave me powder medication and acupuncture. I asked whether I'm suitable to have cupping and guasha, he said no problem. He also asked the same questions: did I eat something unsuitable, did I change my body wash, etc. He said it is better that I avoid seafood for the time being. On my way home, like a flash, I wonder could it be my body wash. I think I have changed my cheap body wash to Dettol Nourish body wash. Is it too strong? While typing this, I did a web search and realised 'Nourish' doesn't mean moisturizing. Somebody posted she felt her skin dry after using.... oh no!
The description that made me buy "Dettol Natural Nourishing Body Wash is formulated with the richness of almond extracts and silky olives which aims to restore the skin's moisture, leaving a soft, tender and supple feeling at all times. It is tinged with the captivating scent of nature to revitalise and reinvigorate the senses." Was I cheated?
The timing coincide. Any way, I am going to be seafood free, including no fish and changing back to the cheap 3 for $10 1000ml moisturizing body wash. I shall see with powder medication, acupuncture, no seafood, no expensive body wash .... will I recover faster.
Update: 12 Oct 2014
Visited TCM and had 2 courses of medication and acupuncture. The itch was horrible, especially when I am not in air con. From the back of my knees, it spreaded to my things, lower legs, armpits, elbows and arms.
I have stopped eating seafood and applied aloe vera, emu moisturizer and another moisturizer with mentol to 'calm' the itch. I tend to scratch more in the night, one of the common signs for eczema. Morning ok, afternoon will itch especially if I'm outdoor and under the sun. Went through the scatching ordeal for another one month.
One week ago, decided to read online for some natural plant remedy, realised I have 南非叶 and 七星针. I plucked one biggest 南非叶, gently rubbed it, added hot water and drank it when lukewarm. It tasted like green tea. If I rub hard and crush the leaves slightly, my tea became bitter. Nanfei leave is very cooling (寒) so it can damage my tummy (伤胃). To protect my digestive system, I chewed 2 leaves of raw 七星针 qixingzhen before having nanfei. Noticed I don't itch that badly.
I read online eczema is triggered when my immune system is low so to build up my immune system, I took a lot of vitamins. Morning, empty stomach, I took a Cordyceps 虫草 capsule. After breakfast, I swallowed a 1000mg Vitamin C and my usual calcium or iron (alternate days or at different meals for better absorption). I bought Flaxseed oil capsule (high in plant Omega) and swallowed too. My special formula was taken for one week, daily with 南非叶 and 七星针.... staggered timings to avoid clashes.
For reader's info:
南非叶味苦涩性凉，具有清热解毒的功效；功能散热、凉血和清血；适用于降血压、降胆固醇、糖尿病、风热性或血热性皮肤病，及皮肤搔痒的治疗；对闪光、老花眼、近视及青光眼也有显著的功效。南非叶富含抗氧化剂，而抗氧化剂具有抵抗自由基（俗称氧化剂或恶性细胞 即‘癌’）的攻击、防止细胞氧化的功用。
身体虚弱、胃寒、低血压、手脚麻痹、贫血、骨瘦如柴和经常头晕者慎服或从小剂量服起加观察，孕妇、月事期间禁服。南非叶经过高温烹煮后，抗氧化剂就会削减，因此生吃的效果最好. 一般人每天吃一至两片南非叶已经足够，过量对肾可能带来负荷.
By the way, Polyclinic referred me to National Skin Centre but I requested for NUH. My appointment is 1.5 months later. Reason: I'm a subsidized patient so need to wait.
If anybody says don't scratch, wait till you get it then you will know saying is easy.
My next appointment - 24 Oct, I requested for tuina and cupping. I said no more guasha because I wanted to rule out all the possible causes of my tiggering eczema. At the moment, the areas are under controlled. The rashes markings (scars) on my arms and elbow are lightened. My thighs are also better but the scars haven't lightened. Still feel itchy behind my knees.
I have also consumed salmon fish once a week. I want my life back. I don't want to be deprived of fish.
