Scraping (a manipulative and body-based practice Manipulative and Body-Based Practices Five categories of complementary or alternative medicine are generally recognized: Whole medical systems Mind-body medicine Biologically based practices not usually used in conventional medicine... read more ), also called gua sha, involves rubbing a dull implement across lubricated (oiled or wet) skin, usually on the back, neck, or extremities. Scraping is popular in athletics, particularly weight lifting. Scraping is believed to increase blood flow to an area and enhance metabolism and healing (1 References Scraping (a manipulative and body-based practice), also called gua sha, involves rubbing a dull implement across lubricated (oiled or wet) skin, usually on the back, neck, or extremities. Scraping... read more ). Depending on the tool used, scraping may also be called coining or spooning.
These therapies have been studied in musculoskeletal disorders, headaches, and perimenopausal symptoms (2 References Scraping (a manipulative and body-based practice), also called gua sha, involves rubbing a dull implement across lubricated (oiled or wet) skin, usually on the back, neck, or extremities. Scraping... read more , 3 References Scraping (a manipulative and body-based practice), also called gua sha, involves rubbing a dull implement across lubricated (oiled or wet) skin, usually on the back, neck, or extremities. Scraping... read more ).
Scraping can cause ecchymoses.
(See also Overview of Integrative, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Overview of Integrative, Complementary, and Alternative Medicine Integrative medicine and health (IMH) and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) include healing approaches and therapies that historically have not been included in conventional, mainstream... read more .)
References
1. Xu QY, Yang JS, Yang L, et al: Effects of different scraping techniques on body surface blood perfusion volume and local skin temperature of healthy subjects. J Tradit Chin Med 31(4):316-20, 2011. doi:10.1016/s0254-6272(12)60011-9
2. Yuan QL, Guo TM, Liu L, Sun F, Zhang YG: Traditional Chinese medicine for neck pain and low back pain: a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One 10(2):e0117146, 2015. Published 2015 Feb 24. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0117146
3. Ren Q, Yu X, Liao F, et al: Effects of gua sha therapy on perimenopausal syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Clin Pract 31:268-277, 2018. doi: 10.1016/j.ctcp.2018.03.012