Can Gua Sha really help with weight loss?

Generally speaking, Gua Sha is a traditional Chinese medical therapy that achieves therapeutic purposes by stimulating acupoints. Whether Gua Sha can actually aid in weight loss mainly depends on the cause of the obesity. If the obesity is simply due to non-pathological factors, Gua Sha might have some effect. However, if obesity is caused by endocrine disorders, thyroid diseases, or other pathological factors, Gua Sha may not be effective. If experiencing any discomfort, it is recommended to seek timely medical advice. A detailed explanation is as follows:

If the obesity is simply due to factors such as deficiency of both the heart and spleen, lack of physical activity, or excessive consumption of rich and fatty foods, which lead to a slower metabolism, Gua Sha treatment usually can have some beneficial effect. Gua Sha stimulates acupoints and improves the flow of meridians, thereby helping to restore normal metabolism, promote fat and calorie consumption, and achieve weight loss.

However, if the obesity is caused by pathological factors such as endocrine disorders, thyroid diseases, diabetes, or other underlying medical conditions, Gua Sha treatment may not produce the desired effect. Performing Gua Sha without identifying the specific cause may increase the body's burden and potentially worsen the condition. Therefore, it is advisable to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment for the underlying condition under a doctor's guidance.

It should be noted that Gua Sha for weight loss does carry certain risks and should be performed only under the guidance of a qualified physician to avoid self-treatment. Additionally, proper aftercare of the treated areas is necessary to avoid external irritation following Gua Sha therapy.