Gua Sha Wollongong
Personalised gua sha treatments designed to support your health, restore balance, and help you feel your best
What is Gua Sha?
You may have heard of facial gua sha, however traditional body gua sha is a little different. Gua sha is a gentle scraping technique used over the body to help relieve pain and muscular tension, improve circulation, clear heat, and support the body during the early stages of colds and flus.
A smooth-edged tool such as a Chinese soup spoon, buffalo horn, or jade tool is used with oil to glide across the skin. Treatment is generally very comfortable and is often described as feeling similar to a deep tissue massage. I particularly enjoy using gua sha through the neck and shoulders for tension, as well as along the forearms for elbow and wrist pain.
What are the red marks that appear?
The small red or purple dots that can appear on the skin are called sha, which loosely translates to “sand” in Chinese. These marks indicate increased circulation being brought to the area and may reflect tension or stagnation within the tissues.
Generally, lighter marks suggest milder stagnation, while darker marks may indicate longer-standing tension or reduced circulation in that area. The marks are typically painless and usually fade within a few days.
Your first appointment
Before your appointment, you’ll receive an online intake and consent form to complete. On the day, please arrive well hydrated, having eaten recently, and wear loose, comfortable clothing. Avoid brushing or scraping your tongue beforehand, as tongue assessment forms part of the diagnosis.
During your consultation, we’ll discuss your health concerns and goals before assessing your pulse, tongue, and any relevant areas of the body. Your treatment may include acupuncture, and where appropriate, cupping, gua sha, moxibustion, herbal medicine, or lifestyle support.
You’ll then rest comfortably with the needles in place for around 20–30 minutes in a calm and relaxing treatment environment. After treatment, people often feel more relaxed, settled, and balanced.
Services
Acupuncture
Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine sterile needles into specific points on the body to give the body an instruction and support its natural healing processes.
Chinese Herbal Medicine
Chinese herbal medicine involves the use of various parts of plants, and rarely animal products used as a tea or in pill form. It can be used independently or alongside acupuncture to achieve your health goals
Moxibustion
Moxibustion is a gentle heat therapy using the herb mugwort, which is burned over particular acupuncture points to warm, nourish, and promote circulation within the body.
Cupping
Cupping involves the use of gentle suction on the muscles to help relieve pain and tension, improve circulation, and support recovery.
Gua Sha
Gua sha is a gentle scraping technique used to promote circulation, relieve muscular tightness and pain, and support the body during the early stages of colds and flus.
Diet, lifestyle & supplements
Lifestyle, dietary recommendations and high grade supplements tailored to your unique presentation, helping to support your health and create lasting change.
Pricing
Initial Consultation (In Person) — $145
Up to 90 minutes
Follow-Up Consultation (In Person) — $110
Approximately 50 minutes
Initial Telehealth Consultation — $110
Up to 60 minutes
Follow-Up Telehealth Consultation — $80
Approximately 30 minutes
Chinese herbal medicine is prescribed separately and is not included in consultation fees.
Private health rebates may be available depending on your level of cover.