Gua sha is a traditional Chinese healing method that involves scraping the skin with a smooth-edged tool while pressing on it. This motion raises small, red, rash-like dots that show under the skin called petechiae. People use gua sha to treat chronic pain all over their body, often alongside other complementary treatments like herbal medicine, massage, acupuncture, and heat therapy. Gua sha is intended to address stagnant energy, called chi, in the body that practitioners believe may be responsible for inflammation. Rubbing the skin’s surface is thought to help break up this energy, reduce inflammation, and promote healing. Gua sha is generally performed on a person’s back, buttocks, neck, arms, and legs, and a gentle version of it is even used on the face as a facial technique. Some potential benefits of gua sha include reducing inflammation, treating ailments that cause chronic pain such as arthritis and fibromyalgia, and promoting healing. However, there is limited scientific evidence on gua sha, and it may cause some bruising or discoloration of the skin. As a natural healing remedy, gua sha is generally considered safe, but it is recommended to talk with a doctor first before trying it.