Gua Sha is one of the soft tissue and manual therapy techniques that I use in our clinic to help patient recover from their injury. A detail exam is required before performing this treatment.
What is Gua Sha? Gua Sha is an ancient medical treatment in Asia. Gua means to rub or friction. Sha means congestion of blood at the surface of the body. I usually use a slice of water buffalo horn and massage lotion as treatment tools. First we need to find an area that needs treatment. This is usually a spot that is tender to touch, sore, tight, and has knots. Most of the time it has been there for a while and is chronic in nature. Sometimes acute edema responses well to treatment too, but careful examination and evaluation is required. By applying specific repetitive sweeping, brushing and scooping motion over a small injury site for 3 to 5 minutes, it breaks down adhesion, increase blood flow, help soft tissue to regenerate, and promote healing. I also incorporate some stretching, and joint movement while doing this to maximize treatment result!
Clinical indication: chronic neck pain, shoulder pain, back pain, rotator cuff injury, tendonitis or tendonosis of the biceps, Achilles, knee, or hip. Facet syndrome, carpal tunnel, ulnar nerve entrapment, thoracic outlet syndrome, post whiplash injuries or scar tissue conditions.
Treatment frequency is 1 to 2 times a week for 5 to 10 visits depending on the severity and complexity of your condition(s).
Potential treatment response: most of the time you will feel relieved, decreased pain or soreness, and increase range of motion right after treatment. You may also feels sore afterward, kinda like after a heavy workout, but it will decrease gradually. You will also notice some bruising, red spots or pettichia. This is an indication of chronic injury and the treatment is working! The bruising will disappear in 3 days. Ice the area 10 to 15 minutes as needed at home will help with recovery.
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