About Gua Sha

Gua Sha is a form of bodywork in which a smooth edged tool is used on various regions of the body in order to break up scar tissue and adhesions (often felt as lumps or knots in the muscles and fascia), increase blood flow and circulation, reduce restriction in movement, and to relieve pain.  Gua sha is also used to treat early onset symptoms of the common cold.

"Gua is translated as "to scrape," and "Sha" refers to the small petechia (discoloration) that appears in areas of stagnation and pain.

This technique has been used for thousands of years in Chinese Medicine as a stand-alone treatment or in conjunction with acupuncture, moxabustion and/or massage.

At the Alberta Street Acupuncture Clinic we commonly use Gua Sha as a part of a Sinew Meridian Treatment-- to alleviate acute and chronic musculoskeletal pain and restriction along a specific region of the body (i.e shoulder girdle, IT Band, Plantar Fascia, Low Back/Sciatic region).