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. Recently, scraping has become popular in athletics, particularly weight lifting. Scraping is believed to increase blood flow to an area and enhance metabolism and healing (1 Reference 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. Recently... 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.
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 .)
Reference
-
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.
