GuaSha

What is Gua Sha?

Gua Sha is a traditional East Asian technique in which a smooth, flat-edged tool is used to apply gentle, repeated strokes across lubricated skin. In traditional medicine, the practice is understood to work with surface-level stagnation — described as blood stasis — to encourage a sense of release and ease in the treated area. Today, many people include Gua Sha as part of their overall wellbeing routine, often alongside acupuncture or massage.

What to expect

Your practitioner will lightly oil the skin and use a smooth tool — commonly jade, horn, or ceramic — to stroke the area with gentle but firm pressure. Most people describe the sensation as warming and releasing.

A characteristic feature of Gua Sha is the appearance of small red or purple patches called sha. These marks are a normal response and represent blood coming to the surface of the skin. While they look similar to a mild bruise, they are part of the expected process. For most people, sha fades within three to five days, though occasionally it may take longer.

It is common to feel mild tenderness during the session. Some people feel tired afterwards, or notice a brief increase in discomfort before things settle.
 

Your safety

When performed by a trained practitioner, Gua Sha is safe for most people. At our clinic, we follow the British Acupuncture Council Professional Codes to ensure hygienic and appropriate application.

Gua Sha should not be carried out:
 

• Over any area that has recently had Gua Sha or cupping (within the last 48 hours)
• On the abdomen during pregnancy
• Over broken, ulcerated, or recently injured skin
• Over swollen areas, varicose veins, or blood clots
• Over the arteries of the neck
• On anyone with severe haemophilia
  
  Please let your practitioner know if you:
   
• Have a bleeding disorder (such as haemophilia or von Willebrand disease)
• Take blood-thinning medication
• Have diabetes with poor circulation
  
  We will discuss your full health history before treatment to make sure Gua Sha is appropriate for you.

After your treatment

• Keep the treated area clean and loosely covered for the first 48 hours
• Avoid strong sun or wind exposure on the area for 24 hours
• Skip strenuous activity for the rest of the day
• Any temporary worsening of symptoms should settle within a few days. If symptoms persist or the area becomes increasingly red, hot, or painful, contact your practitioner or GP