GUA SHA
Gua Sha13 is a traditional healing technique used throughout
East Asia. Gua means to scrape or scratch. Sha is the term used to
describe congestion of blood at the surface of the body. Sha is
present when normal finger pressure on the patient’s skin causes
blanching that is slow to fade. When friction is applied, the Sha
surfaces as small red petichiae that disappear within a few days.
Gua Sha moves stuck blood, promotes circulation, and facilitates
the movement of fluids and metabolic waste in subcutaneous
fascia, muscles, and organs beneath the treated area. Because
Gua Sha is similar to sweating, it resolves fever. Gua Sha is con-sidered an adaptogenic technique: It cools the patient who is too
warm, warms the patient who is too cold, nourishes deficiency,
and clears excess.
Gua Sha is applied primarily on the back, shoulders, neck,
buttocks, and limbs. Occasionally, Gua Sha is applied on the
chest, arms, and legs. The area is lubricated, and the skin is
pressured in downward strokes by a smooth, round-edged tool.
Strokes are continued along one area until the petichiae are
completely raised to the surface. The color and the rate of fading
of Sha are used for both diagnosis and prognosis: It may point to
excess heat or stagnant cold, deficiency of blood and fluids, or
the chronicity of the stagnation.