Gua Sha, (articulated as ‘gwa sha’) is  an ancient healing technique that started in East Asia. At present, it is now across Asia. Gua is a term used that means ‘rubbing or scraping to remove itching’. Sha means stagnated blood at the surface of the skin. This healing method is a way to activate proper blood circulation. Initially, petechiae is visible (tiny reddish or purple spot on the surface of the body as a result of minute hemorrhages of blood vessels on the skin that resemble typhoid fever) then it will turn into echymotic (bluish) spots. In two up to four days, the sha will fade.

Though modern medicine is advancing, research finds that Gua Sha is an effective healing therapy. In fact, many people prefer alternative medicine to deal with common diseases instead of going to doctors. 

Conditions where Gua Sha can be applied:

a. Represses fever (cholera)

b. Reduces the effect of blood vessel rupture

c. Suppresses fatigue

d. Cures colds or flu

e. Treats headache

f. Palliates tension in the muscles, joints and tendons

g. Normalizes blood circulation

h. Relieves severe pain and incapability of bending parts of the body 

i. Allows flow of energy that brings proper mobility

j. Treats respiratory problems – asthma and bronchitis

k. Solves digestive disorder

l. Treats disorder related to urinary and reproductive system

m. Reduces pain brought by dysmenorrheal

n. Cures painful and involuntary muscular contraction

o. Energizes the body

Apart from treating and curing severity of disorders, Gua Sha is now known to be effective in creating a youthful look. When this is integrated with facial cleansing, it can make the skin radiant and a natural glow of beauty shines on one’s face. Beauty parlors merge this practice and they use the term ‘Facial Gua Sha’.

The technique that they use is following particular acupuncture points with a special Gua Sha board. While applying the treatment, blockages of blood vessel called stagnation is reduced, blood circulation is enhanced, and facial metabolism processes improved. Also, hyperpigmentation is avoided for a long period.

Having a regular Facial Gua Sha is effective in acquiring renewed skin cells and regeneration of the facial complexion. It is also good in preventing pimples, clogged pores, and removes skin scars.

As proven by many in different Asian countries like China, laos, Cambodia and Indonesia. It can be applied in different parts of the body apart from the face and back. If there is pain in the neck, shoulders, arms or buttocks, Gua Sha can effectively relieve it. For those who have been practicing Gua Sha for some time, they can advance the ‘sha’ on sensitive regions such as the chest and pelvic areas.  Practitioners are adept in rubbing the surface of the skin and apply just enough pressure that the client does not feel pain but a slight feeling of discomfort comes during the treatment. They stroke one area at a time until the red spot appears on the skin and they move to another when the sha comes out.