Gua Sha

Gua Sha

Gua Sha is an ancient modality commonly performed throughout Asia; China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia, and now in the West also. Gua Sha is a holistic treatment that utilizes a rubbing or stroking motion of the skin to break up the stagnation of blood flow, increase circulation, release muscle tension and pain, loosen tight fascia, and promote healing.

Benefits of Gua Sha:

• Increases circulation
• Relaxes tight muscles
• Loosens tight fascia

Gua is the act of scraping or rubbing. This rubbing motion causes Sha, a raised redness (circulation) on the skin. A lubricating oil is applied to the area being treated. A smooth edged Gua Sha instrument is then used to rub the skin. This movement encourages the blood to flow more smoothly, and the soft tissues to loosen, thus easing pain. This rubbing action causes the blood in the subcutaneous tissue to raise. A skin discoloration is common after Gua Sha, and should fade within 2 to 7 days. Gua Sha Therapy drains stagnation to promote healing, increases circulation, reduces muscle pain, loosens tight muscles and fascia.