Gua Sha (Scraping)

Gua Sha is healing technique that intentionally raises Sha or petechiae to aid in the movement of Qi, blood and other fluids containing metabolic waste that congests surface tissues and muscles. Gua means to scrape or rub, while Sha is the reddish, elevated skin rash used to describe blood stasis in the tissue before and after it is raised as petechiae.

The area being worked is lubricated with oil and the skin is rubbed with either a soup spoon or water buffalo horn in a downward motion. The area is scraped until the petechiae is completely raised. If there is no blood stasis in the area being treated, no petechiae will form and the skin will only turn pink. Sha is raised primarily on the neck, shoulders, back, buttocks, and limbs. Only occasionally is Gua Sha is applied on the abdomen and chest.

Gua Sha is a completely safe technique. In many cases the patient feels an immediate shift in their condition for the better. Gua Sha promotes circulation and normalizes metabolic processes. It is a valuable treatment for both external and internal pain, and is an excellent treatment for acute and chronic disorders.Petechiae should fade in 2-4 days. If it is slower to fade this could be a sign of deeper stagnation or organ deficiency. The practitioner must ascertain whether the deficiency is of the blood, Qi or yang.If a patient has aches, pain, tenderness and/or knotty feeling muscles associated with an acute or chronic disorder, Gua Sha can be applied. Gua Sha is also used to prevent and treat flu, bronchitis, asthma and the common cold. If Sha is purple or black, the blood stasis is long standing. If brown, the blood may be dry. Dark red Sha can indicate heat, while very light Sha can suggest deficiency of blood. Shaw that is fresh red indicates recent penetration.

Initial session $275, follow up session $200 
Includes Percussion Therapy, Cupping, Gua Sha (Scraping) and Chinese Herbal Consultation