Instrument‑Assisted Soft‑Tissue Mobilization (IASTM)

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Gua Sha—sometimes called instrument‑assisted fascial release—uses a smooth metal or jade tool to glide along lubricated skin with gentle, one‑direction pressure. The brief “scraping” motion boosts local circulation, eases tight muscles, and often delivers fast relief for stubborn neck or low‑back pain. Mild red spots (“sha”) are normal, fade within a week, and signal fresh blood flow to the area. This therapy is a form of myofascial release.

Why choose it at Anjuna?

• Pairs seamlessly with sports acupuncture, dry‑needling electrotherapy, fire cupping, and corrective‑exercise coaching in the same visit.
• Short, targeted sessions fit post‑workout or mid‑rehab schedules.
• No drugs—just mechanical stimulus that taps your body’s natural repair response.

Key Benefits

1. Chronic neck & low‑back pain

• Randomized trials show Gua Sha reduces pain and improves function more than heat packs for at least one week.
• Best results come from an initial series of 1–3 sessions, each spaced about one to two weeks apart.
   

2. Post‑exercise muscle tightness or soreness

• The controlled “scraping” motion boosts micro‑circulation and helps fascia glide more freely, leading many athletes to feel looser and recover faster.
• A single tune‑up session can be added to your regular recovery routine or combined with other manual therapies.

Safety Notes

• The marks are temporary and painless; serious adverse events are rare.
• We follow strict infection‑control protocols (single‑use gloves, hospital‑grade disinfection, tool sterilization).
• Contra‑indications: open wounds, active skin infection, bleeding disorders without clearance.

Clinical Brief for MD/DOs, PAs, NPs and PTs

Mechanisms
Unidirectional myofascial release shear strokes promote local microvascular perfusion, down‑regulates inflammatory mediators, and may modulate HIF‑1α–linked hypoxic signaling in neural tissue (animal data). Mechanical stimulation plus petechial response likely engages segmental and descending nociceptive inhibition.

Evidence quality
Moderate, short‑term benefit for chronic neck and low‑back pain (systematic reviews, 2021–2023). Head‑to‑head trials show Gua Sha performs comparably to massage and other IASTM tools.

Dosing
3‑5 strokes/zone, 30–45° edge angle, light‑to‑moderate pressure; reassess pain/ROM each visit. We document region, stroke count, pre/post VAS or functional score, and share progress notes upon request.