Gua Sha

Gua means “to scrape or rub.”  Sha is the red, elevated skin rash that results from treatment.  Therapy is administered by using a lubricant such as oil, rubbing it into the skin, and then pressing and stroking the skin with a flat-edged tool (usually of jade or horn).  The idea is to heal the body by removing areas of stagnation.

During treatment the skin becomes quite red as petechiae (Sha) are raised in what looks like a skin rash.   Purple or black Sha may indicate the blood stasis is long standing, while light Sha indicates blood deficiency.  Brown blood may be dry and dark red indicates heat.

Holographic scraping therapy targets areas on the body that correspond to the organs.  Meridian scraping uses acupressure and cutaneous scraping.

Gua Sha quickly relieves symptoms such as head/neck pain, shoulder, back, and joint pain, sciatica, and nerve pain. It stimulates the immune system, detoxifies, regulates organs, promotes circulation, and reduces pain.  It also reduces stress, rebalances emotions and promotes clarity.

Gua Sha can be administered by Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and by Registered Acupuncturists.