Gua Sha

Gua Sha  is utilized in Chinese, Ayurvedic and Tibetan Medicine treatment. The word Gua (刮) is defined as scraping or rubbing, and the word Sha (痧) as an area of red skin. Pronounced guah shah. Together Gua Sha indicates a method of rubbing or scraping to produce small red spots called “petachiae”. Throughout Southeast Asia it has a long and rich history dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 AD).

Traditionally, tools such as smooth edged coins, jade stone & buffalo horn were used, with an oil based medium to rub the skin. However, today the most common tools are flat pieces of jade stone, or more commonly, a porcelain Chinese soup spoon.

There is no more discomfort than receiving a firm massage when using it on the body. The result of the treatment is clusters of small red spots. These are similar to the way cupping produces red circles. These do not damage the skin but increase the overall blood flow in the area and improves oxygenation which in turn reduces pain, relaxes muscles and moves the Qi stimulating an overall healing effect.

With this increased blood circulation comes an increase in oxygen, white blood cells, reduction in lactic acid and an increased surface temperature. This allows muscles to relax, absorb nutrients and expel accumulated toxins.

When performing facial gua sha the pressure is very light so as not to damage the skin, therefore there are no red marks.

After treatment, the red areas are not painful and fade somewhere between three and seven days, depending on your own circulation. It is recommended to keep the area covered and out of direct sunlight for a few days.

Research has shown that Gua Sha triggers the release of a hormone call heme-oxygenase-1 which is needed for internal anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory molecules to work efficiently. This may be promising for those with conditions which result in inflammation of smooth muscle, such as asthma, inflammatory bowel disease and chronic Hepatitis B.

Historically Gua Sha clears heat, which is why for generations it was used as a method of reducing fevers, in the young and the elderly.

**Gua sha is not appropriate if you have sunburn, and if are taking medications which thin the skin such as corticosteroids. It should never be applied over areas such as raised moles or open wounds.

Some conditions for which Gua Sha is useful:

Post exercise soreness, back, neck and shoulder pain, rotator cuff injury, ankle injury, carpal tunnel, headache, migraine, fever and common cold. These may require other therapies such as acupuncture, moxa, herbs, Tui Na and chiropractic.

Research done on the physiological effects of Gua Sha demonstrates how it works to reduce muscle pain, treat headache, reduce the symptoms of the flu, asthma, and even mastitis.

Gua Sha is versatile. It can be applied to patients of all ages and is a great addition to Chinese, Ayurvedic or Tibetan Medicine treatments.