Gua sha is a traditional Chinese medicine technique that involves scraping your skin with a smooth-edged tool to help improve circulation.
Gua sha is generally performed on the back, buttocks, arms, and legs. A gentle version of it is used on the face and neck.
You start by applying an oil or serum to the area you want to work on. This helps the tool glide across the skin as you scrape in an upward or downward motion.
The practice is believed to break up stagnant energy, called chi, which practitioners believe may be responsible for inflammation in the body.
Gua sha may improve blood flow in the areas where it’s applied. In an older 2007 study with 11 participants, gua sha treatments increased circulation in small blood vessels for 25 minutes post-treatment.
Participants also reported an immediate decrease in muscle pain in the treated area. These effects extended to other areas of the body and lasted for an unspecified time after the treatment until the follow-up visit.
More recent studies have looked at the technique’s potential for pain relief. For example, a
One group received gua sha, and the control group received heat therapy. Researchers found that neck pain severity and mobility after one week were significantly better in the gua sha group compared to the control group.
A small 2017 study with 12 participants compared the effects of gua sha with hydrocollator (moist heat) packs on older adults with chronic lower back pain. One group received gua sha, and the control group received heat therapy.
Although both methods decreased pain and improved flexion, extension, and bending movement of the lower back, researchers concluded that gua sha may have a longer-lasting anti-inflammatory effect.
At the one-week follow-up, more people who received gua sha experienced pain relief and improved mobility than in the control group.
Gua sha is generally considered safe. It’s not supposed to be painful, but the procedure may temporarily change the appearance of your skin.
Because it involves rubbing or scraping the skin with a massage tool, tiny blood vessels known as capillaries near the surface of your skin can burst.
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Cleaning the tool after each use can help reduce the risk of infection if the skin tears or bleeds. Avoid using the tool on open wounds and other areas of the skin that are irritated.
If you take blood thinners or have a blood clotting disorder, consult with a healthcare professional before use.
Although scientific study on gua sha is limited, the practice is traditionally used to help promote circulation, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain.
You can practice gua sha at home or seek out a professional gua sha treatment from an aesthetician, acupuncturist, or other provider.