Blog

A photograph of gua sha colour cannot stand in for a clinical assessment. Christine explains what to mention first and how skin response is monitored at the Lane Cove clinic.

Reading too much into colour

The shade left on the skin after gua sha tends to draw a lot of attention, and online charts sometimes claim to interpret it. Dr Christine Shen, Acupuncturist, is careful to keep those interpretations in their place. A photograph of skin colour cannot explain what is happening in a person’s health, and it should never be confused with a medical diagnosis, which relies on proper clinical assessment.

Traditional ideas about gua sha can be interesting to explore, but they belong to a traditional framework rather than as medical findings.

What to mention before you begin

Some skin situations need to be raised before gua sha is even considered. If you bruise easily without knowing why, if your skin is thin or fragile, or if a new rash has appeared, tell Christine first. These details may point to something that needs looking into by your GP, and they influence whether gua sha is suitable at all.

Choosing and monitoring pressure

Ask how the level of pressure will be decided and how your skin will be watched during and after the session. A thoughtful approach adjusts as it goes, rather than following a set routine regardless of how you respond.

The goal is a sensible decision about your care. Producing a particular shade to match an image you have seen is not part of that.

Using recovery to plan next steps

Before considering another session, let Christine know whether tenderness hung around, or whether you noticed odd marks or itchiness. She will choose tools and techniques to suit your circumstances instead of aiming for a specific colour. With your feedback, she can discuss continuing as before, changing the approach or looking at another option.

Gua sha questions in Lane Cove

Christine offers gua sha at the Lane Cove clinic. If you have seen a colour chart online and wondered what it means, bring it along and talk it over before deciding anything.