Gua-sha: application and therapeutic results in musculoskeletal pain situations. Systematic review
Dérrick Patrick Artioli; Gladson Ricardo Flor Bertolini · Brazilian Journal of Pain · 2019 July
DOI 10.5935/2595-0118.20190050
Objective
This study aimed to analyze the common use of Gua-sha and the methodological quality of the studies.
Conclusions
Gua-sha is a simple, inexpensive alternative with short-term effects for the treatment of conditions involving the spine and surrounding areas, such as a single intervention or in combination. Its practice is already well referenced but requires studies of high methodological quality and analysis of its effects also in the appendicular skeleton.
Critical Appraisal
Published research can offer valuable insights, but a paper’s conclusions may go beyond what its results support. Critical appraisal examines the methods, findings and limitations to clarify what can reasonably be concluded—and what remains uncertain.
This article has not yet been critically appraised by the Research Hub.
Learn more about Critical Appraisal
Insights
Gua-sha has proved to be a relevant alternative for painful conditions involving the spine and the surroundings.
Gua sha is a simple, inexpensive alternative with short-term effects for the treatment of conditions involving the spine and surrounding areas, such as a single intervention or in combination.
The analyzed studies, for the most part, showed superior results with Gua-sha compared to the counter-intervention group (control).
