P. Sze 
Using gua sha on your belly is an effective way to support digestion, reduce bloating, and even assist with toning the abdominal area. Gua sha, a technique rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is known for promoting circulation and relieving tension throughout the body. When applied to the belly, gua sha can help you work toward achieving flat stomach goals, all while enhancing your overall well-being. If you’re looking for a natural and non-invasive way to improve abdominal health, these five game-changing gua sha belly moves are just what you need. For more insights on the basics of gua sha, you can explore our gua sha basic guide to get started with this powerful technique.
1. Circular Motion Around the Navel for Improved Digestion
One of the most well-known benefits of using gua sha on the belly is its ability to stimulate digestion. Digestive issues such as bloating and gas can often contribute to a distended belly, preventing you from achieving that flat stomach look. This specific gua sha technique, involving circular motions around the navel, focuses on supporting digestion by mimicking the movement of your intestines.
- How to do it: First, apply oil to your belly to ensure the gua sha tool glides smoothly over your skin. Using the smooth edge of the tool, gently scrape in a circular motion around your navel, following the natural direction of your intestines, which is clockwise. Keep the tool moving in the same circle without expanding the size of the circle as you go.
- Why this is important: By sticking to the same circle around the navel, you stimulate peristalsis, the wave-like contractions of the intestines that help move food through the digestive system. This gentle, repetitive motion helps relieve bloating, reduces gas, and improves digestion, all of which contribute to a flatter, more comfortable belly.
“For optimal results, it’s recommended to perform gua sha 2-3 times per week, ideally after a bath when your blood circulation is improved,” advises Ms. Mai Sogawa, a senior TCM therapist. This frequency helps maximize the benefits of the technique, allowing the body to reset and absorb the advantages of increased circulation.
2. Downward Sweeps on the Sides of the Belly for Lymphatic Drainage
Lymphatic drainage is an essential process for reducing water retention and swelling in the body. Excess fluid buildup, particularly in the belly, can make the stomach appear bloated or puffy. This gua sha technique focuses on the sides of your abdomen, encouraging healthy lymphatic flow to eliminate excess fluid and give the belly a leaner appearance.
- How to do it: Start just below your rib cage on one side of your belly. Using your gua sha tool, gently scrape downward toward your lower abdomen, stopping near the pubic bone. Repeat this motion several times on one side before switching to the other side.
- Why this works: These downward strokes on the sides of your belly help to stimulate the lymphatic system, which is responsible for draining excess fluids and toxins from your body. By promoting lymphatic drainage, this technique reduces swelling and puffiness in the abdomen, helping you achieve a flatter, more toned belly. Be sure to use gentle pressure to avoid discomfort in these sensitive areas.
3. Focused Scraping on the Sides of the Belly for Toning
Toning the obliques, or the muscles on the sides of your abdomen, is crucial for creating a more defined waistline. This focused gua sha scraping technique targets the side abdominal muscles to enhance toning and firm up the belly area, contributing to a leaner silhouette.
- How to do it: Apply a small amount of oil to your sides and hold the gua sha tool at a 45-degree angle. Start from the sides of your belly, just under your lower ribs, and gently scrape downward toward your hips, focusing on one side at a time. This downward motion works the muscles and tissues along the sides of your abdomen.
- Why it’s effective: This technique stimulates blood flow to the side abdominal muscles (obliques) and helps reduce fat deposits that can accumulate in these areas. By focusing on toning the obliques, this gua sha technique helps you create a more defined waistline, contributing to overall stomach firmness and tone.
4. Horizontal Sweeps for Core Strength and Tightness
To build core strength and improve the tightness of your abdominal muscles, this horizontal gua sha sweeping technique is highly effective. It complements your workout routine by promoting better muscle recovery, improving blood circulation, and enhancing the appearance of tightness in the abdominal area.
- How to do it: Position your gua sha tool horizontally just under your ribs. Using light to moderate pressure, sweep the tool from left to right (or right to left) across your belly in long, even strokes. Repeat this motion several times, then move slightly lower on the belly and perform the same sweep, continuing until you’ve covered the entire abdomen from top to bottom.
- Why it’s beneficial: The left-to-right horizontal strokes stimulate blood flow to the abdominal muscles, promoting faster muscle recovery and helping to tighten the core. This gua sha move also encourages circulation, reducing sagging and contributing to a firmer, flatter stomach over time. While this technique doesn’t involve small circular motions, the broad sweeps work in harmony with other gua sha movements to improve overall belly tone.
5. Gradually Expanding Circles Around the Belly Button for Energy Balance
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the area around the navel, also known as the “Dan Tian,” is considered an important energy center of the body. Massaging this area with your gua sha tool can help balance your energy flow, relieve tension, and promote emotional release. This can help your belly feel lighter and reduce any bloating associated with stress or emotional imbalances.
- How to do it: Start by applying oil around your navel. Using the smaller edge of your gua sha tool, begin with small, gentle circular motions around the navel. Gradually increase the size of the circles, moving outward toward the edges of your abdomen. Maintain a gentle pressure throughout, and focus on expanding the circle slowly.
- Why this is key: This move helps balance the energy stored in the “Dan Tian,” promoting overall emotional and physical well-being. Expanding the circular motion outward encourages energy flow throughout the entire abdominal region, helping to release stress and reduce bloating. By working in larger circles, you cover more of the abdomen, promoting circulation and relaxation, which can further contribute to a flatter, less tense belly.
“For different skin types, choosing the right oil can enhance the gua sha experience. Sensitive or acne-prone skin benefits from squalane or jojoba oil, while dry skin thrives with argan oil. For oily skin, grapeseed oil is ideal,” shares Ms. Mai Sogawa. Proper oil selection ensures the skin is protected and nourished during the treatment, preventing irritation or breakouts.
By incorporating these five gua sha belly techniques into your routine, you can make significant strides toward your flat stomach goals. These moves not only reduce bloating and support digestion but also help firm and tone your abdominal muscles while encouraging healthy energy flow. Whether you’re looking to reduce puffiness through lymphatic drainage or improve core tightness with targeted scraping, gua sha offers a holistic and non-invasive approach to improving your belly health.
For more information on how gua sha can transform your well-being, be sure to check out our guide on gua sha basics to explore the many benefits of this ancient healing practice.
