Gua Sha: An Ancient Therapy For Contemporary Illnesses

Book excerpt: The title purports to introduce Gua Sha to the general public as an effective yet safe therapeutic protocol with a short learning curve, making it an extremely appropriate form of home-based treatment. The treatment is deliberated at three different levels of proficiency — plane, line and point, that correspond to myofascial, meridian and acupoint treatment, the last which effectively transforms Gua Sha into a non-invasive, needleless form of acupuncture.Conceptualized with a utilitarian resolve, this title spared little effort in covering the historic aspect of the subject matter unless it is essential foundation knowledge. Organized in three parts, the first section of the book helps build a theoretical framework for the reader by introducing TCM theories relevant to the subject. Building on this foundation, the next segment on Treatment Protocols presents the practice aspects of the subject that lay further groundwork for the chapter on Applications. In the final part on Applications, the nature of common disorders is deliberated from both contemporary medicine and TCM perspectives before touching on the treatment protocol, execution caveat and other considerations.