What Is Gua Sha and What Is it Used For?

Gua sha is an age-old Chinese medical practice that involves scraping the skin with a smooth-edged instrument to boost circulation.

Also called scraping therapy, gua sha is most often applied to the back, buttocks, arms, and legs, while a milder technique is used on the face and neck.

The method is thought to release stagnant energy — known as chi or qi — which practitioners believe can contribute to inflammation. This is said to both enhance blood circulation and support lymphatic drainage, the system that manages body fluids and clears cellular waste and harmful substances.

You can perform gua sha massage yourself or have a licensed acupuncturist administer it.

Read on to find out how to perform gua sha massage and to learn about its possible advantages and risks.

How to perform gua sha massage

Gua sha massage is done using a smooth-edged instrument. Tools vary in size and contour depending on the body area they’re designed for. Face tools are generally smaller and hand-held, while body tools can be larger.

Gua sha tools are widely available online, and facial versions can be found at some beauty shops.

To do gua sha:

1. Clean your tool with soap and warm water before using it.
2. Apply oil or serum to the area you’ll be treating to allow the tool to glide smoothly.
3. Scrape or sweep the tool upward and outward across the skin at about a 15- to 30-degree angle. If you’re new to gua sha, avoid heavy pressure until you see how your body responds.

Pressure during scraping typically differs by body area. It should be gentle enough for comfort but firm enough to produce slight tension.

When applied to the body, the gua sha tool is moved in long strokes and can cause petechiae — tiny red or purple spots from broken capillaries just under the skin — and sometimes mild bruising.

On the face, movements should be light and directed upward and outward, with pressure too minimal to cause petechiae. A jade roller can also be used for facial massage.

Licensed acupuncturists may apply gua sha to various body regions to ease inflammation and pain. They often choose treatment sites based on your symptoms and on acupressure points, which in traditional Chinese medicine are believed to influence qi and correspond to specific conditions, such as headaches or anxiety.

»Learn more:How to use gua sha massage on the face and body

What material works best for gua sha massage?

Gua sha tools are commonly crafted from natural materials like polished jade or rose quartz, as well as from plastics. Choose a material based on feel and appearance. Common options include:

• Jade: Denser, smoother, and naturally cooler — useful for addressing tight muscles
• Rose quartz: Slightly softer and more porous, offering a gentler massage
• Natural horn: Tough and resilient
• Stainless steel or metal: Sturdy, long-lasting, and easy to sanitize
• Bian stone: Durable, robust, and suitable for warming
• Wood: The softest and most porous option
• Plastic: Economical and relatively soft

»Learn more:Products to give yourself a massage at home

What are the potential health benefits of gua sha?

Gua sha may increase blood flow in the areas where it’s used.

Potential advantages may include:

• enhanced circulation
• reduced inflammation
• alleviation of pain in other parts of the body
• relaxation

A 2024 randomized controlled trial of people with Parkinson’s disease indicates gua sha might reduce pain severity and improve motor function, mood-related symptoms, and sleep quality.

Researchers also observed higher blood levels of a serotonin precursor (5-HT) and the anti-inflammatory protein IL-10 among participants who received gua sha, along with decreased levels of the pro-inflammatory protein IL-8.

A 2023 non-randomized controlled trial suggests gua sha could help with pain and breast engorgement from breastfeeding. In that study, participants performed 30-minute gua sha sessions on engorged breasts, scraping each location three times for 2 minutes over a supportive bra with directional arrows to guide the scraping pattern.

A trial with 48 participants compared gua sha to heat pads for chronic neck pain. The gua sha group experienced greater reductions in neck pain severity and better mobility after one week than the heat therapy group.

A small 2017 study of 12 older adults with chronic lower back pain compared gua sha to moist heat packs. Both approaches reduced pain and improved back flexion, extension, and bending, but researchers suggested gua sha might produce longer-lasting anti-inflammatory effects. At one-week follow-up, more people in the gua sha group reported pain relief and improved mobility than those in the control group.

More larger-scale research is needed to confirm and clarify these potential benefits.

Does gua sha have side effects?

Gua sha is generally considered safe. It shouldn’t be painful, but it can temporarily alter the look of your skin.

The technique involves rubbing or scraping the skin so that small blood vessels (capillaries) near the surface break, which is believed to promote blood flow.

This can result in petechiae and minor bleeding. These marks typically fade within a few days and are usually not painful. Some people may notice temporary indentations or mild bruising.

Washing the tool after each use helps lower the infection risk if the skin is broken. Don’t use the tool on open wounds or irritated skin.

If you have a chronic illness, are on blood thinners, have a clotting disorder, or take medications that affect blood cell production (such as chemotherapy), consult your healthcare provider before trying gua sha.

The bottom line

Although scientific evidence on gua sha is limited, the technique is traditionally used to enhance circulation, decrease inflammation, and ease pain.

It involves scraping the skin with a gua sha tool; pressure varies between facial and body treatments, though both aim to support blood flow.

You can do gua sha at home or see a licensed acupuncturist for treatment. To locate a licensed acupuncturist, consult the National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine (NCCAOM).