Gua Sha therapy is the use of repeated pressured strokes over the skin with a smooth edge. Often considered more of a "folk" remedy in China, it is sometimes not mentioned as a modality of TCM. When done at home, oftentimes a ceramic Chinese soup spoon was used. Chinese doctors tend to use honed animal bones, water buffalo horn, or jade. One TCM doctor even admitted to preferring to use a jar lid. The use of Gua Sha causes small blood vessels to leak blood leaving behind a red rash-like bruising pattern which usually takes 2-4 days to fade. The resulting stippling redness is called the “sha.” And it is because of this discoloration that it is unpopular as a modality in the United States.  It can, however, be used for many things, including, but not limited to: reducing fever (the technique was used to treat cholera), treating fatigue caused by exposure to heat (often used to treat heat-stroke), cough and dyspnea (including bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema), treating muscle and tendon injuries, pushing sluggish circulation, treating headaches, treating stiffness, pain and immobility, treating digestive disorders, treating urinary/gynecological disorders, and to assist with reactions to food poisoning.

 

A slightly different form of Gua Sha, using the edges of coins over lubricated skin is practiced as an in-home "folk" cure, by individuals amongst their own family members. This was most common in Vietnam (where the coin scraping is known as "cạo gió", scrapping for wind), in Cambodia, and in their immigrant communities abroad.  Cao Gio was introduced to the US in 1975, when large numbers of Vietnamese flooded the US as refugees from the war. Oftentimes, a well-meaning Western doctor would misinterpret the markings and fear that a child with the marks has been abused.