Gua Sha therapy

Gua Sha or ‘scraping therapy’ is a technique used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that involves gently scraping the skin with a flat, smooth-edged tool to stimulate the flow of blood, Qi (vital energy), and lymph. 

It is known to promote the circulation of qi and blood, the stagnation of which causes pain.  This correlates with the Western perspective, which views gua sha as a method to stretch the fascia (connective tissue), to break up adhesions and muscle knots, and relieve constrictions, thus reducing pain.

Commonly referred to as “raking sand”, Gua Sha does not actually harm the skin. 

Gua Sha is a pinking of the skin under stimulation. It is an indicator of Qi, blood and fluid circulation and/or stagnation. 

Petechiae, (the red, raised, splotchy “bumps”) is commonly encountered during Gua Sha and is an indication of the extravasation of metabolic waste (stagnation) from the superficial layers of the body.

This is an adaptogenic technique, as it can tonify and nourish tissue and/or break up and move stagnation in the tissues, reorienting these tissues for efficient healing. 

• Loosen adhesions and aids in the breaking up of scar tissue, especially superficially.
• Increases joint ROM and promotes tissue flexibility. 
• Helps in the rehabilitation/maturation phase of injury recovery.
• Decreases the length of recovery time from an injury.
• Sedating effect on the nervous system, creating a deeper sense of relaxation. 
• Helps to ease chronic pain.
• Increases local blood supply and circulation to an area, while draining excess fluids and toxins. 
• Breaks up “phlegm” in the system, pulling it to the surface for extravasation. 
• Tonifies the immune system and the Wei Qi, as well as relieving waste and pathogenic factors from the body.