Sha

Sha is a term that describes the presence of surface Blood Stasis or petechiae that is associated with pain or sickness, or the result of applying Gua Sha.  Sha may be symptomatic (sha Syndrome) asymptomatic, or mildly symptomatic and potentially pathogenic.(cholera)

SHA
The Chinese character for sha is translated as “reddish elevated, millet-like skin rashes.
The ideogram for sha is the radical for sickness joined by the radical for sand, or ‘that which appears when water decreases’ Gua sha was used in Asia to treat cholera, and cholera like disorders, and basically any disorder involving fever or pain, unless contraindicated.

Symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and cramps.
Gua sha was first taught in the west at the New England School of Acupuncture (NESA) in 1976.

When to check for sha

The bodys surface connective tissue is a huge membrane where there are electrical, cellular, and mechanical forces constantly giving off signals. This signalling network is getting more and more research to discover what Traditional Medicine has known for over 2000 years. The connective tissue system is the transmitter for ordinary sensory awareness and it is instrumental in our health.

Congestion at this level limits movement and communication, and can indicate blockage on a deeper level.

Where there is pain, you can always suspect sha. Gua sha may partially or fully resolve a problem, it will almost always help. Gua sha also provides helpful diagnostic information.

How to check for sha

When palpating the body for pain and trigger points, press with several fingers slowly and deeply into the tissues. Quickly release the pressure and observe the reaction. If the tissue is slow to fade to normal flesh colour it indicates there is an obstruction in the flow of Qi and Blood.
If a patient complains of pain that is relieved with massage, but returns quickly after this is an indication of sha. If the patient wakes with sudden pain or stiffness, wakes with a kink or reports pain that comes and goes, they will almost always have sha.