Gua (gwa), meaning to scrape or extract and Sha (shaw), meaning sand or toxins. It is a traditional ancient Chinese healing technique that dates back over two thousand years. The method of applying Gua Sha involves the layering of Gua Sha oil on the skin. It involves palpation and cutaneous stimulation where the skin is pressured, in strokes, by a round-edged instrument; that results in the appearance of small red petechiae called “sha”, that will fade in 2 to 3 days.

Gua Sha treatments are not painful. Raising Sha removes blood stagnation considered pathogenic, promoting normal circulation and metabolic processes. The patient experiences immediate relief from pain, stiffness, fever, chill, cough, nausea, and so on. Red spots are an indication that toxins are being released. Where the area is deep purple the blood is old and extremely stagnant. A dark green discoloration is a sign that stagnant blood and toxic Qi are being released from the system. Sometimes a clear fluid will draw to the surface in a form that resembles cellulite or goose bumps. Where the skin starts out as a green glow which turns to red during the treatment, is a sign that pain or stagnant chi is being removed. The exposing of the Sha is literally removing disease from deep within the system.