Gua Sha Gua Sha is an East Asian healing technique that is readily used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). “Gua” means to scrape or rub and “Sha” means a red, elevated mark left on the skin. Therefore, Gua Sha is simply the scraping of the skin with the intention of bringing up “Sha”. The tools for Gua Sha vary from the traditional piece of buffalo horn, to the more modern use of rounded lids, porcelain, Chinese soup spoons, or coins. Gua Sha is used when a patient feels tension or pain in the muscles. It is particularly helpful for neck and shoulder aches or stress headaches. Gua Sha is also implemented as a preventative technique, when one wants to prevent a common cold or flu. Gua Sha, when preformed over the upper back can “clear the lungs” for disorders such as asthma or chronic bronchitis. The “Sha” that comes up on the skin is diagnostic and prognostic and can very in color from pink to black-red. The marks last anywhere from 1-4 days, but fade in color quite quickly. In most cases, the patient feels an immediate shift in their condition, often describing an instant release of tension and knots.