Gua Sha: A Traditional Technique
for Modern Practice (revised)

Gua Sha is a healing technique used for centuries in Asia, in Asian immigrant communities and by acupuncturists and practitioners of Traditional Medicine worldwide. It involves palpation and surface ‘press-stroking', by a round-edged instrument that results in the appearance of small, red, ‘therapeutic petechiae’ and ecchymosis called 'sha' that will fade in 2 to 3 days.

Gua sha is effective in treating pain and problems with mobility, for the prevention and treatment of acute infectious illness, respiratory and digestive problems, and many acute or chronic disorders. Research demonstrates that Gua sha stimulates  anti inflammatory and immune protective responses that persist for days after treatment and explain the effect of Gua sha in inflammatory conditions like asthma and active chronic hepatitis.

In the second edition Dr. Nielsen reviews the evidence for Gua sha from both the Chinese and English language database including research into the science of Gua sha’s therapeutic biomechanism. The revision expands on the history of Gua sha and similar techniques used in early Western medicine and details precisely how to apply Gua Sha ~correct technique, appropriate application, individualization of treatment, when to use~ in specific disorders with over 50 case studies.

Dr Nielsen has recorded immediate and significant Tongue changes as a direct result of Gua sha as well as the significance of the quality and color of sha in over 30 color photographs.
This book brings Gua sha alive for any hands-on therapeutic practice and will be of interest to care givers who treat disorders involving pain.

2012Revised English text

German text.

By using historical examinations of East Asian medical texts, cross-cultural historical documents, contemporary scholarly sources, interviews with living elder practitioners and her own keen clinical experience (Arya Nielsen) has brought Gua Sha to the center of Oriental medicine clinical practice. She has found a precious lost ring that might have gone down the drain of disuse.

Ted Kaptchuk, OMD
Harvard Medical School
Author The Web That Has No Weaver

 

Gua Sha book in English (2nd edition):
Elsevier link: http://www.elsevierhealth.co.uk/complementary-medicine/gua-sha-paperback/9780702031083/#anchor-new

 

Gua Sha book in German:
(Verlag für Systemiche Medizin)