Gua Sha a traditional Chinese healing technique that could mimick physical abuse: a potential issue with forensic implications. A case study

Forensic Science International : Synergy
A AprileE Turillazzi

Abstract

Gua Sha (press-stroking) is a traditional Chinese healing technique utilized to combat pain, common cold, heatstroke, and respiratory problems. Patterned ecchymoses may appear due to the action of scraping and scratching repeatedly in a unidirectional manner, with a smooth edge over a lubricated area. They may be very informative, since they, generally, reproduce the shape of the injurious agent. However, many confounding factors can make the identification of the lesions difficult. A case of a 43 year-old Chinese woman, hospitalized for abdominal pain, is reported. An unusual pattern of reddish ecchymoses on the back was present. After a careful investigation, ecchymoses were attributed to Gua Sha. The case demonstrated that clinicians and forensic pathologists should also consider press-stroking, and other similar techniques in adults who present scratch-like marks or ecchymoses on various body districts, even if they have an unusual pattern.

References

Oct 2, 2007·Explore : the Journal of Science and Healing·Arya NielsenTed J Kaptchuk
Jan 3, 2009·Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies·Arya Nielsen
Dec 10, 2009·Wiener klinische Wochenschrift·Samuel A AllenAaref Badshah
Aug 7, 2012·Complementary Therapies in Medicine·Arya NielsenBrian S Koll
Jan 1, 2013·Chinese Journal of Integrative Medicine·Mu-Yun Liu, Ke-Ji Chen
Jun 26, 2013·International Journal of Dermatology·Ashika OdhavJohn C Hall

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Citations

Nov 23, 2018·Complementary Medicine Research·Xiao XuYang Wang
Jan 20, 2019·Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology : JEADV·K ClarysseC Kivlahan
May 11, 2019·Forensic Science, Medicine, and Pathology·Alessia VieroCristina Cattaneo

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