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What is Gua Sha?



						When a person has Sha they will feel pain, aching or stiffness in the muscles. Palpation reveals tightness and ropiness in the muscles and when the skin is pressed as shown . . . (click on next tab)



						When pressed and released the skin remains blanched, and the blanching is slow to fade. This is a sign of blood stagnation in the surface membrane. Oil or lotion is rubbed onto the surface as a lubricant. Gua Sha is applied . . . (click on next tab)



						. . . in repeated strokes, pressing with a rounded, blunt edge. Care is taken to cover and protect moles or raised blemishes from disturbance. A stroke line is pressed until all the Sha is raised. (click on next tab)



						Here is the Sha raised on the upper back and neck of the woman shown in the press and blanch tabs. She was treated for neck pain and migraines. Her Sha is quite red indicating heat as well as blood stagnation, particularly at the Shao Yang. (click on next tab)




	In Asia a soup spoon, coin or a slice of water buffalo horn is used to apply Gua Sha. The author has found the rounded lip of a smooth metal cap to be effective while minimizing patient discomfort. Vicks VapoRub, Badgerbalm, any vegetable oil or lotion can be used as a lubricant.

Gua Sha is an East Asian medicine technique used to remove blood stagnation that blocks the surface tissues impeding organ and immune function. How do you know if you need Gua Sha? How can you tell if someone has blood stagnation? Follow the visual tabs below.