Understanding the Ancient Practice of Gua Sha

1. Can You Do Gua Sha Yourself?

If you buy the proper tool and follow the procedure safely, you may be able to give yourself at-home gua sha treatments, though the ability to fully relax while someone else is administering the treatment likely has a beneficial effect.

To treat tightness in the neck, first be sure to use massage or coconut oil to help the gua sha tool slide smoothly across your skin. Apply moderate pressure with the end of the tool and draw it repeatedly in one direction — such as down the neck from below the ear to the shoulder — until redness or "sha" appears on the skin. Avoid scraping over bone.