Gua sha is a Chinese Medicine application which uses a massage tool to help improve circulation.

By using a smooth-edged massage the tool to scrape the skin with short or long strokes it stimulates the microcirculation of the soft tissue, which increases blood flow. Light massage oil is applied to the skin, and then uses the tool to repeatedly scrape your skin which clears stagnant energy and moves the bodys Qi. Inflammation is the underlying cause of several conditions associated with chronic pain. Rubbing the skin’s surface is thought to help break up stagnation, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.

Gua sha is generally performed on a person’s back, buttocks, neck, arms, and legs. A gentle version of it is even used on the face as part of cosmetic acupuncture treatments.

What are the benefits of gua sha?

Reduce inflammation
Treat pain
Arthritis
Fibromyalgia
Muscle and Joint pain.

As a natural healing remedy, gua sha is safe. It’s not supposed to be painful, but the procedure may change the appearance of your skin. Because it involves rubbing or scraping skin with a massage tool, tiny blood vessels known as capillaries near the surface of your skin can burst. This can result in skin bruising and minor bleeding. Bruising usually disappears within a couple of days. This a normal part of this type of treatment.