Gua Sha
Also known as: Scraping
Recent Insights
Gua sha therapy may be more effective than hot packs with massage for reducing breast pain.
Breastfeeding Gua Sha
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Research Articles
Published research studies are articles that present the findings of original research that has undergone a peer-review process and has been made publicly available in scholarly journals, books or other media.
Treatments for breast engorgement during lactation
2020 Sep 18 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Zakarija-Grkovic I, Stewart F
Systematic Review Breastfeeding Gua ShaGua sha therapy may be more effective than hot packs with massage for reducing breast pain.
Effect of Gua Sha therapy on patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A randomized controlled trial
2019 May Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice Xie X, Lu L, Zhou X, Zhong C, Ge G, Huang H, et al.
This RCT showcased that Gua Sha therapy significantly reduced severity of neuropathy symptoms, improved performance of sensory function, reduced peripheral artery disease, and better controlled plasma glucose.
Randomised Controlled Trial Gua Sha
The Effect of Scraping Therapy on Perimenopausal Syndrome: A Synthesis of Evidence
2018 Nov Complementary Medicine Research Xu X, Liao HC, Tian YJ, Wang Y
Review Article Gua Sha Menopause
Noninvasive, Multimodality Approach to Treating Plantar Fasciitis: A Case Study
2018 Aug Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian Studies Lee TL, Marx BL
This case study reports the effects of a multimodality approach including massage, gua sha, bleeding, acupuncture, and moxibustion to treat acute plantar heel pain.
Case Report
Effects of Gua Sha therapy on perimenopausal syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
2018 May Complementary Therapies in Medicine Qing Ren, Xinyu Yu, Fujiu Liao, Xiaofan Chen, Dongmei Yan, Heyun Nie, et al.
Systematic Review Meta-AnalysisCombining Gua Sha therapy with Western medicine appears to offer significant improvements in perimenopausal symptom management.
Research Insights
Insights are moderated by the Research Hub team and offer an at-a-glance overview of interesting research findings.
Gua sha therapy may be more effective than hot packs with massage for reducing breast pain.
2020 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Treatments for breast engorgement during lactation Zakarija-Grkovic I, Stewart F
Systematic Review Breastfeeding
In this version of the review, 21 studies involving 2170 breastfeeding women were analysed. A range of interventions for the treatment of breast engorgement were tested. These included: cabbage leaves, various compresses (ginger, cactus/aloe, hollyhock), massage plus cactus and aloe compress, acupuncture, ultrasound, acupressure, scraping therapy (Gua Sha), cold breast‐packs, electromechanical massage, Oketani breast massage, and medical treatments (serrapeptase, protease, oxytocin). Six studies used individual breasts as the unit of analysis making it difficult to evaluate the true effect of the studied intervention. Due to the heterogeneous interventions, we were unable to pool results in meta‐analysis; hence, a qualitative analysis resulted in the following findings.
Combining Gua Sha therapy with Western medicine appears to offer significant improvements in perimenopausal symptom management.
2018 Complementary Therapies in Medicine Effects of Gua Sha therapy on perimenopausal syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials Qing Ren, Xinyu Yu, Fujiu Liao, Xiaofan Chen, Dongmei Yan, Heyun Nie, et al.
Systematic Review
The study analyzed 6 RCTs, mostly of low methodological quality, and found that combining Gua Sha therapy with Western medicine demonstrated statistically significant improvements in the Kupperman Menopausal Index (KMI) Score and hormone levels (FSH, LH, and E2) compared to Western medicine therapy alone, suggesting potential effectiveness in managing perimenopausal symptoms. Additionally, Gua Sha therapy combined with Western medicine showed favorable effects on the MENQOL scale. However, further research is needed to determine optimal frequency and dosage of Gua Sha therapy for perimenopausal syndrome treatment.
Review Articles
Review articles summarise and critically evaluate the current state of research on a specific topic or field by synthesising multiple primary research studies.
Treatments for breast engorgement during lactation
2020 Sep 18 Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews Zakarija-Grkovic I, Stewart F
Systematic Review Breastfeeding Gua ShaGua sha therapy may be more effective than hot packs with massage for reducing breast pain.
The Effect of Scraping Therapy on Perimenopausal Syndrome: A Synthesis of Evidence
2018 Nov Complementary Medicine Research Xu X, Liao HC, Tian YJ, Wang Y
Review Article Gua Sha MenopauseThis article refers to a possible mechanism of gua sha. "In transgenic mouse models, the occurrence of therapeutic petechiae following scraping therapy implicated the destruction of erythrocytes which in turn triggered molecular changes to stimulate the upregulation of stress-inducible heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). As a well-known heat shock protein, HO-1 has anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects." —Jinnan C 23 Apr 2022
Cant find full article — 28 Sep 2021
Effects of Gua Sha therapy on perimenopausal syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
2018 May Complementary Therapies in Medicine Qing Ren, Xinyu Yu, Fujiu Liao, Xiaofan Chen, Dongmei Yan, Heyun Nie, et al.
Systematic Review Meta-AnalysisCombining Gua Sha therapy with Western medicine appears to offer significant improvements in perimenopausal symptom management.
Using Guasha to treat musculoskeletal pain: A systematic review of controlled clinical trials
2010 Jan 29 Chinese Medicine MyeongSoo Lee, Tae-Young Choi, Jong-In Kim & Sun-Mi Choi
Systematic Review Gua ShaInsufficient conclusion? — 28 Sep 2021
Clinical Trials
Clinical trials are research studies that involve people and are conducted to evaluate the safety and efficacy of new treatments or interventions, such as drugs, medical devices, or behavioural therapies.
Effect of Gua Sha therapy on patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A randomized controlled trial
2019 May Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice Xie X, Lu L, Zhou X, Zhong C, Ge G, Huang H, et al.
This RCT showcased that Gua Sha therapy significantly reduced severity of neuropathy symptoms, improved performance of sensory function, reduced peripheral artery disease, and better controlled plasma glucose.
Randomised Controlled Trial Gua Sha
Guasha improves the rating of perceived exertion scale score and reduces heart rate variability in male weightlifters: a randomized controlled trial
2017 Feb Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine Xingze W, Peijie C, Xingyu H, Yingying W, Jinsheng Y, Eungpinichpong W, et al.
This article highlighted the efficacy of gua sha to facilitate the parasympathetic nervous activity and modulate the balance between parasympathetic and sympathetic activities in both the healthy men and the weightlifters.
Randomised Controlled Trial
Effectiveness of Traditional Chinese "Gua Sha" Therapy in Patients with Chronic Neck Pain: A Randomized Controlled Trial
2011 Mar 25 Pain Medicine Braun M, Schwickert M, Nielsen A, Brunnhuber S, Dobos G, Musial F, et al.
Gua sha has beneficial short-term effects on pain and functional status in patients with chronic neck pain. The value of Gua sha in the long-term management of neck pain and related mechanisms remains to be clarified.
Randomised Controlled Trial Gua ShaPresentation Slides
Gua sha therapy may be more effective than hot packs with massage for reducing breast pain.
Combining Gua Sha therapy with Western medicine appears to offer significant improvements in perimenopausal symptom management.
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This article refers to a possible mechanism of gua sha. "In transgenic mouse models, the occurrence of therapeutic petechiae following scraping therapy implicated the destruction of erythrocytes which in turn triggered molecular changes to stimulate the upregulation of stress-inducible heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). As a well-known heat shock protein, HO-1 has anti-nociceptive, anti-inflammatory, and hepatoprotective effects." —Jinnan C 23 Apr 2022
Cant find full article — 28 Sep 2021