Gua Sha: Massage with Jade and Horn Tools

In gua sha a liniment is applied to the skin and a specialized tool, typically made of jade or bone, is rubbed over the area. Gua sha feels good and is universally liked. I find it to be an amazingly effective tool for pain anywhere in the body, especially in the neck and shoulder area. This technique excels at breaking up stubborn knots and scar tissue. It also lengthens and realigns the muscle fibers and connective tissue, stretches and lengthens the soft tissue fibers, and pushes through blockages and constrictions to reopen the flow of chi and blood. I often include gua sha in my acupuncture sessions and combine it with other traditional therapies like tui na (Chinese medical massage), zhi ya (acupressure), chi nei tsang (abdominal massage), ba guan (fire cupping), or topical herbal formulas for pain.