This alternative form of therapy is known today as a traditional Chinese medicine like acupuncture. However, it has been known in the West for centuries and was used in ancient Egypt. It gained recent notoriety by some Olympic swimmers who used cupping to relieve muscle strains and promote blood circulation. Cupping therapy is a suitable and affordable option for those patients seeking a relatively pain-free and natural approach to pain management and relaxation.

Gua sha is a natural, alternative therapy that involves scraping your skin with a massage tool to improve your circulation. This ancient Chinese healing technique may offer a unique approach to better health, addressing issues like chronic pain.

Gua sha is intended to address stagnant energy, called chi, in the body that practitioners believe may be responsible for inflammation. Inflammation is the underlying cause of several conditions associated with chronic pain. Rubbing the skin’s surface is thought to help break up this energy, reduce inflammation, and promote healing.