Gua Sha & Tuina
What is Gua sha and Tuina?
Gua Sha & Tuina at Ashra Integrative Medicine
Gua sha and tuina are cornerstone therapies in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), each with thousands of years of history supporting healing, balance, and wellness.
Gua Sha
The term “gua sha” translates to “scraping sand”—gua meaning “to scrape” and sha referring to the temporary, sand-like markings that may appear after treatment. Using tools such as smooth stones, porcelain spoons, or coins, gua sha gently scrapes the skin to move Qi, improve circulation, and support lymphatic flow. This increases localized blood flow, reduces inflammation, and encourages the body’s natural healing processes.
Gua sha is versatile and can be applied to many areas of the body to address sore muscles, chronic pain, respiratory concerns, allergies, fibromyalgia, and even for facial rejuvenation. Facial gua sha promotes a brighter, more lifted complexion by enhancing circulation and releasing stagnant energy. After a session, the red or purplish marks (sha) may remain for 3–5 days—an expected part of the healing process that offers insight into your body’s current state.
Tuina
Tuina is a therapeutic bodywork technique that focuses on stimulating the body’s energy channels and moving Qi to restore balance. Through precise pressure, stretches, and movement-based techniques, tuina helps relieve tension, support circulation, and promote the body’s natural healing. It can address musculoskeletal discomfort, stress, digestive concerns, and overall wellness, complementing other TCM therapies such as acupuncture and herbal medicine.
At Ashra Integrative Medicine, we incorporate gua sha and tuina into personalized care plans, tailoring each session to your unique needs. Whether you’re seeking relief from chronic discomfort, recovery support, stress reduction, or facial rejuvenation, these therapies work harmoniously to promote relaxation, restore balance, and support your body’s natural healing.
References
What is Tuina?
At the beginning there was a Chinese body work known as “Anmo” meaning press and rub. However, by the 5th century as the method evolved and now required a doctoral degree to practice it became Tuina (push and hold) during the Tang dynasty.
Tuina is a method of body work in which tissue is manipulated. Some of the movements are slow and involved rolling and plucking with the hands while others may seem fast using techniques known as shaking. Overall the experience of tuina should be enjoyable and alleviate the body quickly. (1)
The movement of the body and movement of the tissue can increase healing by working out stagnations. Tuina can be used not just to treat the physical but the mental as well (1). Overall Tuina treatments are popular for sports injuries, chronic pains, stiff neck, insomnia, allergies and more (1). Pediatric Tuina is also beneficial for constipation (2), allergic rhinitis (3) and diarrhea.
References
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- Chengnan, S. (1993). Chinese bodywork: A Complete Manual of Chinese Therapeutic Massage.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/33407547/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmid/36452352/
Try Ashra Now
If you’ve been moving through the medical system, trying one prescription after another with side effects that outweigh the benefits, you may be wondering if true healing is possible.
At Ashra, we approach health differently. Guided by the wisdom of Chinese medicine, we look beneath the surface of your symptoms to restore balance at the root. In our calming and beautiful space, healing is not a clinical transaction but a nourishing experience that reconnects you with your body’s natural rhythms.
