Can I have gua sha done if I have a cold and body aches?

Generally, body aches caused by a cold can be treated with gua sha (scraping therapy), but suitability depends on the type of cold. In certain cases, it is not recommended, and proper technique must be observed. The specific analysis is as follows:

Gua sha helps release exterior pathogens, unblock meridians, and relieve body aches. For wind-heat colds or the later stages of wind-cold colds accompanied by symptoms such as generalized body pain, nasal congestion, and runny nose, applying gua sha to relevant acupoints can help expel pathogenic factors, reduce muscle tension, and alleviate discomfort. When appropriately combined, this approach typically does not cause additional problems. However, if the cold is accompanied by high fever, severe dizziness, fatigue, or if there is skin damage or inflammation, gua sha may increase physical stress or worsen skin injury. Therefore, care should be taken to control the pressure and area covered during treatment.

In the early stage of wind-cold cold with symptoms such as chills and absence of sweating, adequate warmth must be maintained during gua sha to avoid worsening the condition due to exposure to cold. Individuals with weak constitutions should receive gentler scraping to prevent excessive depletion of qi and blood. In daily life, sufficient rest and increased intake of warm water after catching a cold, combined with physical therapies like gua sha, are beneficial for recovery.