“Guasha”, also known as scraping or dermal friction, is a form of deep tissue therapy with potentially dramatic results. The technique uses an instrument with a rounded edge, such as a Chinese soup spoon or Guasha tool, to scrape the skin after it has been lightly coated with oil to reduce the amount of friction.  The scraping is typically done with short, pressured strokes.

Similar to cupping, this technique may leave small red petechiae (“sha“) that will disappear after a few days. This technique removes pathogenic blood stagnation, increases lymphatic drainage, and promotes normal circulation and cellular metabolic processes.

Patients often experience immediate relief from pain, stiffness, fevers, chills, cough, nausea, and other symptoms. Guasha helps prevent acute infectious diseases, upper respiratory and digestive issues, and other acute and chronic disorders. Guasha is typically applied to alleviate specific issues, or to prevent imminent infections.

If you are feeling under the weather, or are exposed to sick people and would rather not catch whatever they have, Guasha may be helpful!  Come see us so we can help keep you healthy – I’d love to work with you!