What is gua sha?
Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese healing technique that involves rubbing well-oiled skin with a smooth-edged tool (like a ceramic spoon or polished jade) to improve circulation and promote healing.
It’s roughly translated to “scraping”, though I find this misleading. TBH, the skin is so oiled up that there isn’t much scraping happening.
People are often repulsed by the idea of scraping. But once they give it a try, they admit how good it feels and they always want more!
Patients often find Gua Sha to be incredibly relaxing, with a warm, soothing sensation that lingers long after the treatment. It’s especially effective for relieving chronic pain, stiffness, and tension.
Gua Sha is a natural, non-invasive way to support your body’s healing processes, release muscle tension, reduce inflammation, and enhance blood flow. The treatment may leave temporary red marks on the skin, known as “sha,” which are a sign of increased circulation and the body’s release of toxins.