Gua sha: A Traditional Technique for Modern Practice

'Sometimes called coining, spooning or scraping, Gua sha is defined as instrument-assistedunidirectional press-stroking of a lubricated area of the body surface that intentionally creates'transitory therapeutic petechiae' representing extravasation of blood in the subcutis.'Gua sha has been used for centuries in Asia, in Asian immigrant communities and byacupuncturists and practitioners of traditional East Asian medicine worldwide. With theexpansion of traditional East Asian medicine, Gua sha has been used over broad geographicareas and by millions of people. It is valuable in the treatment of pain and for functionalproblems with impaired movement, the prevention and treatment of acute infectious illness,upper respiratory and digestive problems, and many acute or chronic disorders. Research hasdemonstrated Gua sha radically increases surface microperfusion that stimulates immune andanti-inflammatory responses that persist for days after treatment.The second edition expands on the history of Gua sha and similar techniques used in earlyWestern Medicine, detailing traditional theory, purpose and application and illuminated byscience that focuses its relevance to modern clinical practice as well as scholarly inquiry.This book brings the technique alive for practitioners, with clear discussion of how to do it –including correct technique, appropriate application, individualization of treatment – and whento use it, with over 50 case examples, and superb color photographs and line drawings thatdemonstrate the technique.NEW TO THIS EDITION• New chapter on immediate and significant Tongue changes as a direct result of Gua sha• Research and biomechanisms• Literature review from Chinese language as well as English language medical journal database• New case studies• Over 30 color photographsNew chapter on immediate and significant Tongue changes as a direct result of Gua shaResearch and biomechanismsLiterature review from Chinese language as well as English language medical journal databaseNew case studiesFully updated and revised throughoutOver 30 colour photographs Read more