Gua Sha, which literally means “friction for congestion”, is an ancient technique used to move stagnation and draw out toxins. It is both diagnostic and therapeutic.

The technique involves the use of a smooth-edged tool, typically a ceramic soup spoon, that is rubbed or scraped repeatedly over areas of the body creating heat and activity in that area. When this friction is applied in repeated, even strokes, the “sha” surfaces as tiny red dots, or petichiae. When a lot of sha appears, it tells the practitioner that there was a lot of stagnation in that area. This discoloration disappears within hours to a couple of days.

The benefits of Gua Sha are numerous. It promotes normal circulation to the muscles, tissues, and organs directly beneath the surface treated. The patient experiences immediate changes in stiffness, pain and mobility. Normal metabolic processes are restored by the movement of fluids, as nutrients are carried to the tissues and metabolic wastes are carried away.

While it serves some of the same functions as cupping, gua sha is also used on the upper back and neck during the early stages of an acute illness such as a cold or flu. Because Gua Sha mimics sweating, it resolves fever. When used at the first signs of illness, many find that the ensuing infection seems to disappear. While not a guarantee, it is an effective method of warding off illness. A care provider considers Gua Sha in any case of pain or discomfort, for upper respiratory or digestive problems, and for any condition where palpation indicates there is sha.