Gua Sha is an ancient healing technique employed by many Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners. This natural, alternative therapy is performed by a trained technician, and is done using a smooth-edged instrument to scrape the client’s skin—but don’t worry, Gua Sha should never be painful.

Before the procedure begins, the technician will apply a lubricant, usually massage oil, to the part of the body being treated: the most common areas to be focused on during the treatment include the back, neck, arms, and legs, however a gentler version of Gua Sha can be applied to the face.

After applying the massage oil, your technician will scrape your skin with varying short and long strokes eliminate stagnation that causes discomfort. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, Gua sha has the ability to break up the stagnant energy, or chi, to promote microcirculation and good blood flow in the area where the strokes are applied.

Gua sha is most commonly used to treat pain caused by inflammation, such as arthritis, fibromyalgia, and other muscle and joint issues, however, many Traditonal Chinese Medicine clinicians use gua sha to address conditions such as bronchitis, colds, flu, fever, migraine headaches, liver damage caused by Hepatitis B, neck pain, perimenopausal syndrome, asthma, sprains, and muscle spasms.

As a natural healing remedy, gua sha is regarded as safe. It’s not supposed to be painful, but the procedure may cause skin redness and mild bruising where the technique was applied. Bruising usually disappears within a few days, and avoid this technique is you’ve had surgery in the past six weeks.

Ready to try gua sha? Contact our licensed professionals at HPI Accupuncture in Los Gatos, CA to make an appointment.