Complaints of body weakness, aches, and rheumatic pain can certainly interfere with our activities. Traditionally, alternative scrapings therapy is often chosen as a way to reduce these complaints. However, is scraping useful medically or is it dangerous?
Kerokan is one of the traditional alternative therapies that is often used in Asian countries, including in Indonesia. Therapy using special tools or coins rubbed on the surface of the skin is also found in China. By the Chinese people, scrapings are called gua sha.
Effect of scrapings on the body
Scraping is believed to relieve aches, weakness, and body aches. Scraping is done by rubbing a coin or special dredger with a blunt edge, onto the surface of the skin that has been smeared with massage oil.
Meanwhile, gua sha is done with ceramic spoons, coins, buffalo horn pieces, or jade. Rubbed coins or tools will form reddish lines or spots on the skin that usually disappear after 2-4 days. These reddish spots are called sha in terms of traditional Chinese medicine.
Friction coins and tools actually injure or break the blood vessels under the skin. This process raises reddish lines that are medically called petechiae or ecchymoses.
Traditionally, this technique is believed to expedite the flow of blood or energy called "chi", and reduce inflammation which is believed to be a source of pain and aches. The healing process of the disease is also believed to run faster with this technique. Coins can be rubbed on the back, buttocks, arms, and legs.
Benefits of Medical scrapings
Some studies suspect that this technique produces anti-pain, anti-inflammatory effects, and improves the performance of the immune system. Unfortunately, scientific research examining the benefits of scrapings from the medical side is still very limited.
Here are some of the benefits of scrapings that have been medically reviewed:
1. Relieve headaches and migraines
If you experience headaches or migraines that don't go away with normal medication, scraping may be an alternative to relieve them. Scraping is thought to smooth the flow of blood in the body, thus helping to relieve headaches.
2. Relieve neck pain
Scraping can also reduce complaints of neck pain that has lasted a long time (chronic). A study showed that scraping therapy can relieve pain in the neck, although this effect lasts quite short.
3. Reducing breast swelling
Breast swelling and pain often experienced by nursing mothers because of increased milk production. This complaint certainly can complicate the process of breastfeeding.
One small-scale study showed that gua sha or scrapings can reduce breast swelling in new mothers, so breastfeeding is easier.
4. Reducing low back pain
Scraping therapy can reduce chronic low back pain. According to one study, scrapings are useful to reduce the severity of low back pain and make it easier for sufferers to return to activity.
However, the effectiveness and safety of scraping therapy is not yet known in lower back pain caused by injuries, pinched nerves, spinal deformities, spinal narrowing, rheumatic diseases, and tumors or cancer.
5. Overcoming perimenopause syndrome
The perimenopause period is the time before menopause occurs. During this period, changes in estrogen levels in the blood can cause various complaints, such as:
- Easy to sweat and face becomes red (hot flashes)
- Irregular menstruation
- Muscle and bone pain
- Easily tired
- Insomnia
- Dry vagina
- Often feel anxious
Several studies have shown that scrapings combined with conventional treatment are more effective in overcoming perimenopausal syndrome than conventional therapy.
Keep in mind, scraping should not be done on people who have certain health problems, such as:
- Blood clotting disorders
- Diabetes
- Weak immune system
- Are taking blood-thinning medication
In general, scrapings can be considered a safe therapy, especially for minor complaints, such as aches, muscle aches, and headaches. Even so, scrapings should be done by masseurs or acupuncture practitioners who have the competence for this therapy, in order to avoid things that are not desirable.
In addition, the cleanliness of the tools used for scraping also need to be considered to avoid infection in the skin. If after scraping, skin problems arise, such as pain, scraping does not go away, or infection, you should immediately consult a doctor.
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