http://www.cainhealingarts.net/

Jacob Cain McRae, L. Ac., 6809 Westgate Boulevard, Austin, TX (2026)

04/13/2024

When it comes to Guasha, I try to be very thorough. Once I sense sha/inflammation, I identify what meridian it’s on. Is it on the taiyang, shaoyang, or yangming, etc? I layer that information onto musculoskeletal anatomy via physical assessment—is it on a flexor or extensor, what’s the agonist and antagonist, the insertion and attachments, nerve root, etc?

I perpetually palpate, inspecting dermatomes, fascial& muscular tissue differences, discoloration, temperature differences, sensitivities or vascular anomalies. I feel around each acupoint, each Ashi/trigger point, like a little bloodhound sniffing around a forest for a wily badger. And once I find “the pattern”… well, you can see what happens by looking at these photos.

These pictures show the conclusions of 1-2 hour one-on-one treatments, which include an adaptive sequence of acupuncture/acupressure, energy work, and then tuina and Guasha/cupping. How that process goes, really depends on your needs, your wants and your preferences—which are always respected and prioritized.

Do we have to do all the techniques? Absolutely not, we can focus on those you prefer, and even avoid leaving marks, avoid needles, etc. I simply like to exhibit these honest photos so there are no surprises, and so these Guasha marks are better understood by the public.

The marks are a normal response to the bodywork, and a sign of its therapeutic qualities. They go away in a few days, give or take. To me, the sha marks are beautiful in a curious way. Maybe it’s because I’ve witnessed how much relief they provide once it’s all said and done. ❤️‍🩹

If you’re curious about my treatments, let me know. I will do my best to assist you~ ✨

10/16/2023

☀️Check out these lovely slices of huang qi / 黄芪 / astragalus root I recently acquired. This is one of my favorite Chinese herbs for immunity, and I wanted to have some for the autumn and the cold months.

Traditionally, it was used to raise the yang qi, which assists with fatigue, pr*****ed organs, weak immunity, digestive issues, wound healing and fluid imbalance (via promoting sweating and urination). It is used to stop bleeding, as it strongly tones the spleen qi. For this reason, it might be best to avoid during me**es, unless excessive bleeding is a symptom being treated.

Modern research has shown astragalus to benefit cardiac function, and to have antiviral properties. It has been shown to ameliorate damage to the gut-microbiome-brain axis, and to balance estrogen in both men and women. It’s quite a potent little root!

🍵It is easy to boil and make a tea, or to add some slices to your soup / broths, for an immune boost. It has a neutral, subtle, sweet flavor that is easy to adjust to.

I’ll have some huangqi available for my clients to purchase~ Just hit me up if you wanna try it. 😁☯️

——————
⚠️It can affect blood pressure at higher doses, so use caution if you suffer from hypertension or take antihypertensive medication. Additionally, since it can improve immunity, it is contraindicated when you are prescribed immunosuppressant medications. It is also alleged to have estrogenic properties, so that can be good or bad depending on your situation. ⚠️

08/29/2023

Though the results of the treatment are similar, the causes of sha (痧) can be varied. Illness, diet, physical injury, stress, emotional disturbances, hormonal dysfunction, etc. can uniquely contribute to pain patterns and blockages, because all of these factors can alter and affect the quality of blood circulation. 🩸

For example, the more tension there is, the more constriction in the tissues, which can inhibit healthful blood flow. This potentiates two major pathological phenomena of inflammation: ischemia and hypoxia. (I believe these terms can be likened to blood stasis 血郁 and qi deficiency 氣虛, but I’ve been debated on that before.)

Byproducts of these inflammatory processes ultimately lead to platelet accumulation in the connective tissues. Platelets, or thrombocytes, promote stickiness of blood, helping it clot when we are cut. Unfortunately, our blood’s healing power can turn against us, and we develop adhesions or sticky areas in the myofascial tissues.

Hence, the fiery, scarlet marks from properly applied Guasha: we are moving and breaking up those sticky areas, and the results are tangible, visible and clinically relevant —because the pathos, more often than not, resolves.

I aspire to achieve the highest quality results in my practice of Guasha. My insistence on this technique is propelled by a deep, insatiable desire to understand it—philosophically, scientifically and spiritually. It has helped me so much, and I want to share that relief with anyone that will receive it. ☯️

I hope this helps you see through the marks toward the rationale behind this amazing healing technique that the ancient healers and ancestors bestowed upon us.

As always, please contact me if you’d like to try out Chinese like , , and - I am always excited to help you out. 😁

07/17/2023

Hello, it’s been a while~ How are y’all doin? I was reflecting on how 10 years ago at this time, I was just starting my first semester of acupuncture education. It’s certainly amazing what a decade can do to your life!

The first picture was taken today, and second picture was taken in 2013 when I was 26. I am much grayer and riddled with injuries I didn’t have then. In exchange, I’ve gained a lot of wisdom, fortitude and patience.

At a time of great uncertainty, my heart guided me toward this healing path, and I’m glad I listened to it. I deeply appreciate all the support, love and friendship I’ve received from many of you through these years. Thank you~

&As always, when you are in pain or need support for your physical, mental or spiritual health, I am here to help to you however I can. ☯️

Let’s see where another 10 years takes us! ❤️‍🔥

02/06/2023

Hello everyone, happy Monday, how are you! It was certainly a stressful, icy time for many of us Austinites last week. I am one of the ones that lost power for an extended period; however, it is now remedied, and I am pleased to persist in providing my healing services. ☯️

If you are feeling drained, overwhelmed or need any assistance in relieving the build up of inflammation, I remain excited and eager to assist you with some acupuncture, bodywork and herbs. 😁

10/26/2022

I was introduced to Guasha in one of my earlier acupuncture techniques courses, which covered Asian bodywork methods like cupping and Guasha, and even things like seven star needles, e-stim and blood letting methods.

At that time, we were invited to get a Guasha tool from the school store, and I chose a thin horn that had a smooth edge. We were then provided time to practice, and I remember working with my dear friend as my partner. We were both quite reddened with sha by the end!

I was immediately fascinated by the technique because I’d been dealing with a severe hip and spine injury, and guasha significantly reduced my pain and loosened my body up. I began using it on any person in the clinic who would allow it, so to refine my proficiency. I’ve learned a lot since then, and I marvel at the amazing power of Guasha. (I marvel more at the endurance of those who unwaveringly persist through it!)

I know it can seem a bit unnerving, but it is not something done without care and consent. When someone’s threshold is met, I stop. That’s how I achieve these results—by respecting the individual’s present capacity. I show these pictures to help normalize this therapy, to show that the marks are a positive result of this therapy.

If you should ever be interested in Guasha or other bodywork therapies like tuina or cupping, I am always happy to provide thorough, informed responses to your concerns or queries. 🌟

08/01/2022

The summer heat has been unrelenting and unforgiving, and this can be challenging for our body’s yin. The excessive sweating induced by hot temperatures can deplete vital essences in our blood. This can occur during extreme weather, or fevers experienced in severe illness. The depletion of the body’s yin is one reason people tend to feel so off for long periods after illnesses or challenging seasons.

In TCM, body fluids are related to different organs. Sweat is related to the heart, and though it is healthy to sweat regularly, when it’s excessive and prolonged, you can develop heart yin deficiency, and heart qi deficiency. Symptoms could be palpitations, chronic fatigue, erratic sleep patterns, vertigo, a feeling of heat and fullness in the chest, palm sweats and night sweats and even psychological symptoms like anxiety - as the heart houses the shen, the spirit.

Guasha and acupuncture are excellent ways to expel heat in the Wei and qi layers of the body, and, by reducing this internal inflammation, these techniques can indirectly augment the yin. For the best results, herbalism and nutrition would be added.

If you’ve been feeling off due to the season, or if you’re dealing with prolonged symptoms from combatting an illness, I would love to help you regain your vitality and health~ 🌟

06/15/2022

How often should one do this, is a question I receive a lot. This varies between person and person, and the issue being treated. For serious conditions and acute injuries, increased frequency of about 1-2 times a week is ideal. For upkeep and management of chronic issues once or twice a month can be sufficient. When you feel you are in good health, a seasonal treatment might be all you need. Most of all, your body usually knows when it’s time and is the best indicator.

Chinese Bodywork techniques like Guasha and cupping are a lot like exercise. The more consistent and dedicated you are to these treatments, the better the outcome. One session can provide great relief, but consistent sessions can lead to more profound shifts and break throughs.

I am very grateful to have clients dedicated to their wellness, as these pictures exhibit. Helping you heal and find relief is a great privilege— thank you! To anyone who is curious about the work, I’m always happy to discuss the details with you. ☯️

05/17/2022

Oftentimes, a person will express a lot of redness / sha from Guasha, but not have many marks from cupping, and vice versa. In these pictures, I did Guasha and cupping across the entire back of each individual but you can see only some scarce cupping marks compared to lots of Guasha marks. I think this phenomenon is best explained via Chinese medical theories, such as the 衛氣營血辨證/ weiqi yingxue bianzheng / 4 levels theory, by Ye Tianshi.

The four levels are Wei, qi, ying and blood. These four levels serve as the main stages of defense / infection in febrile & inflammatory diseases, and are listed respectively from most external to most internal. Each stage has its own unique symptomology and differentiation, though they can layer into more complex manifestations.

As I mentioned in a previous post, Guasha was originally used to dispel wind-heat/ inflammatory diseases. Guasha is ideal for treating superficial dimensions of our bodies’ defenses—the Wei and qi stages. So, for the average person, inflammation has settled in these top layers, giving a greater propensity toward the expression of sha from Guasha.

Cupping, on the other hand, will often show deeper marks/ coloration when the pathogenic factor has begun to transform and transfer to the ying/blood stage. One might presume this is also why there are many blood letting techniques combined with cupping (aka wet cupping), for more aggressive purgation.

Now, this is merely one theory and doesn’t even get into the jingluo, the transformation of yin and Yang, and how inflammation can transmit through the body via the 6 syndromes, or from the internal organs/ emotional discord.

I was inspired to comment on this after reading a post by a physical therapist practicing Guasha as “graston/IASTM,” who stated that the marks are just bruises with no therapeutic value, or are even injurious. Not only is this person doing Guasha wrong, they are participating in cultural appropriation and academic racism by spreading misinformation. As and become more popular, it’s important that the legitimate Chinese medical theories that inform their practice not be muted or white washed.

05/07/2022

Guasha & tuina to release the shoulders and back, cupping for tight chest, needles to promote hair growth, and some facial acupuncture for heavy eyelids. From your head to your toes, we can address and heal many issues with Chinese medicine.

In my treatments, my attention is fully focused on you, and your body in its entirety. My goal is to help you feel your best, while also respecting and honoring your preferences, boundaries and immediate needs. If you would ever like more information about the work or a certain technique and how it could help you, please contact me~ ☯️

04/11/2022

There are many styles of acupuncture, and the best style depends on the issue being treated and the person’s tolerance/constitution. In the first picture, trigger point / ashi needling is used to help relieve tension at the deltoids. This is usually what I do to prepare the muscles for Guasha and bodywork sessions. In the second picture, I am using stones and needles in patterns from esoteric acupuncture to soothe the Shen and qi. This is usually what I do before reiki and energy work sessions. ☯️
Not every style is optimal for every person, nor every session. Some people enjoy an aggressive hands on approach, and others can barely be touched without gentle care. Sometimes you might have a preference for a certain technique and I always honor that. My job as an acupuncturist is to work with you to find what your body needs to heal. 🌟
If you’re curious about acupuncture techniques, please reach out. I’d love to help you~🎶🧚🏻‍♂️

Jacob Cain McRae, L. Ac.

04/13/2024

10/16/2023

08/29/2023

07/17/2023

02/06/2023

10/26/2022

08/01/2022

06/15/2022

05/17/2022

05/07/2022

04/11/2022

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