Gua Sha is a Chinese manual therapy technique. “Gua” means to scrape or rub, and “Sha” stands for reddish, elevated, millet-like skin rash (aka petechiae). Sha is the term used to describe Blood stasis in the subcutaneous tissue before and after it is raised as petechiae. Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese technique dating back over two thousand years that intentionally raises a Sha rash to promote healing in the soft tissues and to improve blood flow. Gua Sha is also effective at releasing microscopic soft tissue adhesions in the muscles and connective tissues.

How is Gua Sha applied? 

The area to be treated is lubricated with oil or a specific lotion. The skin and soft tissue is then rubbed with a round-edged instrument until a superficial redness appears. As the body is scraped the soft tissue adhesions are loosened and blood/lymph fluids are flushed through the area.

Are Gua Sha treatments painful? 

This type of treatment is not painful and it is completely safe. Some patients report that Gua Sha “hurts good” and often feel an improvement in their pain or mobility soon after.

When is Gua Sha used in physical therapy? 

Gua Sha is used for a variety of injuries, both acute and chronic. Often the therapist can palpate knots in the soft tissues or muscles that indicate adhesions or poor blood flow which are contributing to the pain. In addition to this technique the therapist may prescribe exercises to be performed at home that also will aide in the healing process. Gua Sha is used to treat cases such as plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendinitis, elbow tendinitis/epicondylitis, hamstring pain, shoulder pain, and any type of muscle strain.