Gua Sha

Pronounced ‘gwa-shah’, Gua Sha is a method of treatment that may be used at times in conjunction with an acupuncture treatment. The practitioner uses a ceramic spoon, or gua sha board to scrape the surface skin on the area that is affected by pain or acute/chronic inflammation.

Effects of gua sha

This creates a red mark and spots (pettechiae) where blood circulation rises to the surface (there is no broken skin however) and allows an increase of blood flow to that area. It is most often used in fascial/muscular pain conditions. The red marks only last for a few days at most and typically do not hurt.