[YEA]  04/06/2008: Judith from South Amana, IA writes: "I have had a lot of experience using Gua Sha as a massage therapist and nurse, since first being introduced to it by a Naturopath over ten years ago. Since then, I've talked with many acupuncturists and healers who also use it. I was told that Gua Sha means 'red sands' because of the red, gritty tint the skin gets after treatment.

Its most common use is for treating muscle spasms - especially those nasty ones along the neck and between the shoulder blades that cause headaches. Gua Sha is simply the fastest and most effective way to release these kinds of spasms - and - you can treat yourself easily. The simplest method is to use regular vaseline - rub a layer on the painful area, then take the lid - which should be large and have a rounded edge - and scrape IN ONE DIRECTION (do not scrape back and forth), vigorously, using a bit of pressure (so it is slightly uncomfortable). You should soon see reddish-purple dots forming on the skin. This is called 'sup' and contains many toxins including lactic acid. It is the breakup of this lactic acid that will release the muscle spasm, almost instantaneously. Keep rubbing until no more 'sup' surfaces. Be forewarned - it can look like a huge hickey and be quite shocking to see what looks like huge purple bruises on the skin. But it is actually painless, and most remarkably, the muscle spasm will be gone for good. The purple coloring will mostly be gone the next day.

I've also used various kinds of oils instead of vaseline, but they are not thick enough to prevent irritation of the skin. You want to prevent scraping on the skin itself - rather you are 'milking' the surface layer of the skin; milking out all the toxins in the muscle fibers and connective tissue. A thick layer of vaseline works well. If you can't find a nice rounded tin lid, a spoon will work if the edges are not sharp. Look for something that you can hold in your hand, has a smooth edge and it strong enough to withstand the pressure.

I have used this successfully on many cases of frozen shoulder and 'crick' necks - the results are almost miraculous. Acupuncturists use it as an alternative to cupping - it has a similar effect of raising the toxins to the surface to be released.

Asians use it frequently as home remedies for a variety of illnesses. The most common is to treat muscle aches from fevers. I was once involved in a child protective case (I was a public health nurse), where an immigrant Vietnamese family were being falsely accused of child abuse because the public school teacher found what looked like bruises all over the child's arms and legs. I testified on behalf of the family, educating the judge and jurors (and the teacher!) on the use of Gua sha in Asian culture.