Gua Sha

Gua Sha is an Eastern healing technique that involves scraping of the skin. Gua means to scrape or rub. Sha is a 'reddish, elevated, millet-like skin rash' (aka petechiae).

Gua Sha is used whenever 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. In addition to resolving musculoskeletal pain, Gua Sha is used to treat as well as prevent common cold, flu, bronchitis, asthma, as well as any chronic disorder involving pain.

Gua Sha is applied mainly on the back, neck, shoulders, buttocks, and limbs. On occasion on the chest and abdomen. The area to be Gua Sha-ed is lubricated with oil or lotion. The skin is then rubbed with a round-edged instrument in downward strokes. The Sha rednness should fade between 2-4 days. It may take longer depending on the patient’s condition.

In most cases the patient feels an immediate shift in their condition particularly in their pain or sense of constraint. 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.