gwaat3 saa1刮痧
Jyutpinggwaat3 saa1
Yalegwaat sā
Definition
Gua sha; a traditional Chinese medicine scrape therapy used to stimulate circulation and relieve fatigue.
colloquialhealthbody
How it's used
This term refers specifically to the traditional practice of using a smooth tool to create petechiae on the skin to promote blood circulation. While it is a medical treatment, it is often discussed casually among friends and family when someone complains of feeling unwell or having muscle aches. The physical marks left behind are often referred to as 出痧.
Examples
Your back is so red, did you just have scrape therapy?
Related words
Common phrases
scrape therapy tool
Common mistake
Do not confuse this with simple massage or scratching. It is a specific therapeutic technique that requires a tool, and the resulting marks are a deliberate part of the process rather than an accidental injury.
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Grammar guides
- Aspect markersCantonese has no tenses, but it does have aspect markers. Learn how zo2, gwo3, gan2, and hai2 dou6 show completion, experience, and ongoing action.
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