Gua Sha: A Traditional Technique for Modern Practice, 1e [Paperback]

Arya Nielsen BA MA DAc LAc FNAAOM (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 044305181X | ISBN-13: 978-0443051814 | Publication Date: September 18, 1995 | Edition: 1

This is the first English language book on the ancient therapeutic technique 'Gua Sha'. It is a technique commonly used in Asia and Southeast Asia by TCM practitioners, Chinese families and individuals who know and use it as part of their 'health culture'. In Gua Sha, the skin is pressured in strokes i.e. scraped (but not broken) by a blunt edge (Chinese families used a spoon). This, in Western terms, raises extravasated blood and metabolic waste which collects in muscle tissue, and encourages its departure. Gua Sha is often used to counteract muscle strain through athletic injury, back pain, and conditions beyond muscle injury alone. The result, visually, is livid discolouration of the skin which subsides in a few days, considerably faster than a bruise. For this reason practitioners in the West have been afraid of using it. However it can be a very useful technique to know how to use, and will enhance the skills of any practitioner using it while giving them another treatment method to help increase their clinical skills.This book brings the technique alive for Western practitioners, with clear discussion of how to do it - including correct technique, appropriate application, and difficulties to bear in mind - and when to use it, and superb colour illustrations and specially commissioned line drawings to demonstrate the technique. The author is an expert practitioner of 'Gua Sha'.

• There is no other book on the market which covers this very useful technique
• Practitioners will be able to learn a new technique and enhance their skills with the aid of this thorough, reliable and clear guide
• Covers aspects of the subject relevant to a wide range of professionals, particularly any 'hands-on' practitioners
• Clear, colour photographs show the practitioner exactly what to expect in the way of clinical results
• Written by an expert practitioner who has carried out much research in this area and has experience of using Gua Sha in a wide variety of cases
• Includes an introduction by Ted Kaptchuk - one of the very top names in international TCM

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Professor of East Asian Medicine, Adjunct Faculty and Senior Acupuncture Specialist, Beth Israel Medical Center's Continuum Center for Health and Healing, New York.

Product Details

• Paperback: 169 pages
• Publisher: Churchill Livingstone; 1 edition (September 18, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 044305181X
• ISBN-13: 978-0443051814
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #116,650 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

105 of 106 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gua Sha: Atraditional Technique for Modern Practice, May 5, 2000

By 

Mick (Bend, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Gua Sha: A Traditional Technique for Modern Practice, 1e (Paperback)

Gua Sha is a technique that uses a skin lubricant, such as massage oil and a simple chinese ceramic soup spoon (no sharp edges now!). It's a life saver for the tired figers of those who have to give massages to those with tight, fibrous, ropy or crunchy muscles. I first came across this book at an acupuncture conference in 1996. It was one of my best purchases of the year. The book covers in depth, a topic only glanced upon in most acupuncture schools. It's technique is not just for acupuncturists. I believe it's a must read for massage professionals, especially if your hands are starting to wear out from years of giving massage.

The beauty of the book is the pictures of the skin discoloration that may occur if you are very vigorous in your technique. They can be shown to clients as a form of informed consent. If you are more moderate in your technique, this extreme reaction will rarely occur past the first hour. However, a forewarned patient is one that will not sue you. Worth the price of the book right there!

Secondly, in most acupuncture schools, gua sha is largely taught as a technique for wind-cold invasion or stiff necks. My practice has included alot of chronic musculo-skeletal pain due to old sport injuries and the such. Before reading this book, I limited the technique to scapular and upper back pain, but after reading it, have confidentally expanded gua sha to every sort of muscular injury with great results. I have saved a number of people from exploratory surgery by removing pains of unknown etiology, thru the use of this technique and proper muscle knowledge. This is why I recommend it for massage therapists, physical therapists as well as Oriental and TCM practitioners.

This book includes a resource area that gives you ideas for what areas of the body to address for various ailments, if you are afraid to experiment on your own, or on yourself. I believe, if you add a recently published companion book by the same publishers concerning cupping (Cupping Therapy by Chirall), you will have a compementary set of low cost therapies for muscular aches (not to mention some other internal medicine applications), that are a very effective addition for any TCM or massage practice.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wanted to learn about Gua Sha and how to apply it. Success!, September 23, 2010

By 

Chucky! - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Gua Sha: A Traditional Technique for Modern Practice, 1e (Paperback)

Dear Readers,

I have had Gua Sha performed on my body and I know its benefits. I wanted to take this one step further by learning more after my remedial masseur retired. My goal was to learn more and to be able to perform Gua Sha myself as I know it was a common technique in the family homes of many Chinese and other nations.

The mission is successful! I've not only learnt how to apply Gua Sha and in what circumstances, the book also details a historical journey through health to give some background as to where Gua Sha came from. It is very practical show positions that a patient should be in and the direction of stroking that needs to take place. I was impressed with the colour and black & white version of the same images. If anything, I wish there were more pictorial examples.

I am not a health professional and am just keen on health and wealth in general. I found the book generally easy to read (beyond some Chinese translations) and understand. Any health professional in Western or Eastern (Traditional Chinese Medicine) practice will be able to make use of this book at its recommendations. Gua Sha is easy and its benefits are numerous.

Thanks go to the author in documenting this ancient practice for use in today's modern society and practices.

I hope this was helpful to you.
Chucky!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Gua Sha has enabled me to help many family and friends, April 2, 2009

By 

Andrew J. Bauman IV "Drew" (Scranton, PA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gua Sha: A Traditional Technique for Modern Practice, 1e (Paperback)

Gua Sha is a very important part of my bodywork pracice. I have had this book since 2003 and it is a great tool.