What is Gua Sha?

Gua Sha is an age old healing technique that can be used for pretty much anything from daily aches and pains to chronic severe ailments. It is used to intentionally surface petechiae to the skin by using a scraping technique in order to help detoxify the body and relieve pain. This unique healing method is still commonly practiced in China and other parts of Asia and is often performed in TCM clinics, hospitals, spas as well as in many Asian households. Gua Sha is popular in Asia because it is a simple technique that’s easy to use, and the results are often fast and effective.

The word “Gua” means to scrape, and “Sha” has two meanings:

• “Sha” from a TCM point of view, refers to the stagnant blood that is blocking the meridian pathway inhibiting proper flow of the "qi" energy and blood. From a western medicine perspective, it refers to the fluids that contain metabolic waste that is congested in the tissues and muscles.

•  “Sha” also refers to a series of reddish, minute hemorrhages that look like a red colored speckled rash called petechia that can surface to the skin after the Gua Sha treatment.

In this technique, a round edged tool such as buffalo horn board is used to scrape the skin to release the stagnant blood or “sha” to the surface of the skin that looks like small red petechia or rash.  Although it may look bad, it has a detoxifying and cleansing effect on the body. By getting rid of stagnant blood, new and better performing blood cells can be created. Gua sha is a great method to help the body get rid of waste material and bring in refreshing nutrients to the cells.

What are the Benefits of Gua Sha?

• Releases stagnant blood in the body. Blood stagnation is considered to be the cause of many diseases in TCM.  It can be likened to water in a stagnant pond full of gunk, green moss and other growths. Similarly, blood that is not flowing properly, starts to become stagnant creating a diease prone environment. Through Gua Sha, blockages caused by stagnant blood is quickly released.

• Mimics sweating and promotes body fluid circulation which helps to normalize cellular metabolic processes and releases toxic waste from deep cellular tissues.

• Increases blood and qi circulation to help oxidize cells and nourish them.

• The stroking action raises the petechiae to the surface of the skin, forcing more blood and oxygen, nourishing the cells, to the area treated. The raised petechia becomes a byproduct that signals the body to eliminate both the dead blood cells as well as other toxins that surfaced during the gua sha process. After a treatment, the patient often has immediate relief from pain, headaches, fever, chills, cough, chest pains, nausea, stiffness, etc. After a series of treatments gua sha is able to release enough toxins to enable inner balance.

How is Gua Sha performed?

The area treated will be lubricated with Guasha oil. (A hot bath or an infrared sauna before the treatment will warm up muscles and increase blood circulation.) The chosen area is stroked in a downward motion using a smooth edged tool until the petechiae surfaces to the skin completely. If after several downward stroking motions, the skin only becomes red, and no petechiae surfaces, move on to another part of the skin. When the patient starts to complain that the area you’re working on is sensitive, you can apply more oil or use a softer stroke. Areas to be avoided are moles, cuts, or any unhealed open sores. “Sha” is usually found on the Yang surfaces of the body such as the back, neck, shoulders, limbs. It can also be applied to the chest and abdomen.

What tools are used for Gua Sha?

Gua Sha involves a series of strokes applied over lubricated skin with a smooth edged tool. The most commonly used tool is called a “gua sha board” made from horned animal bones, water buffalo horn, or jade.

What does the color of the Sha indicate?

Very Light Colored Sha ---------- Blood Deficiency
Fresh Red Sha -------------------- Recent Penetration
Purple or Black Sha -------------- Long Term Blood Stasis
Brown Sha -------------------------- Blood may be dry
Dark Red Sha ---------------------- May indicate heat in blood

How long does it take the petechiae to fade?

The sha usually fades within 2 to 4 days. If it takes longer, this often indicates poor blood circulation and the practitioner should provide further advice on how to improve overall circulation. With continuous Gua Sha treatments, the sha will start to fade faster which will be a good sign since it’s an indication of better blood circulation.

What can Gua Sha be used for?

In addition to chronic disorders that involve congestion of blood and qi it can also alleviate the following conditions: