Cheryl Takeda – Acupuncture – Healing and Wellness Center

Gua Sha

Gua Sha is a medical treatment used in Chinese medicine and throughout Southeast Asia. “Gua” means to scrape or rub and “Sha” is the term for the reddish raised skin rash that occurs as a result of the scraping. Sha refers to the blood stagnation in the subcutaneous tissues before and after it is raised as the reddish skin rash (petechiae) or bruising (ecchymosis).

Gua sha is used to treat as well as prevent the common cold, flu, bronchitis, asthma and both acute and chronic pain. It is also used to detoxify the body and reduces fevers as the scraping brings the excess heat and toxins to the surface of the body to be released. The most common areas of treatment are the yang areas of the body such as the back, neck, shoulders, buttocks and limbs.