A survey on the prevalence and utilization characteristics of gua sha in the Hong Kong community.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a community-based survey to describe the demographics, experience, and utilization variables among the users of gua sha living in Hong Kong. METHOD: A total of 3209 adult respondents were surveyed by using a short Chinese questionnaire. RESULTS: Gua sha was found to have a one-year prevalence of 22.7% and four-week prevalence of 6.6%. The users were seen to be old of age and less educated. The majority believed that gua sha is beneficial to health, practiced in non-regular basis, and mainly employed for treating illnesses. For both male and female, the top two common illnesses to be treated were the respiratory and pain problems, which accounting for 74% of all users. Other illnesses included nervousness, heat stroke, fever, infection, dizziness, diarrhoea and vomiting, oedema, and constipation. As practiced by most respondents, unidirectional pressured stroking was applied repeatedly on the lubricated skin surface at the back region using various smooth-edged tools typically spoons. Almost all users reported the occurrence of skin blemishing and subsequently faded within 7 days after the gua sha treatment. CONCLUSION: The general population of Hong Kong was found to have high prevalence of gua sha usage. The utilization characteristics as reported by the users were generally aligned with the current scientific knowledge, in particular the treatment procedures and response.

The effectiveness of relaxation acupoint stimulation and acupressure with aromatic lavender essential oil for non-specific low back pain in Hong Kong: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of acupoint stimulation with electrodes combined with acupressure using an aromatic essential oil (lavender) as an add-on-treatment on pain relief and enhancing the physical functional activities among adults with sub-acute or chronic non-specific low back pain. DESIGN: Randomised controlled trial. SETTING: The community centre, Old-Aged Home and Women Workers Association, Hong Kong. INTERVENTION: 8-session relaxation acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with lavender oil over a 3-week period. The control group received usual care only. OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes from baseline to the end of treatment were assessed in pain intensity (by Visual Analogue Scale) and duration; lateral fingertip-to-ground distance in centimetres; walking time and interference on daily activities. RESULTS: The baseline VAS scores for the intervention and control groups were 6.38 (S.E.M. = 0.22) and 5.70 (S.E.M. = 0.37) out of 10, respectively ( P=0.24 ). One week after the end of treatment, the intervention group had 39% greater reduction in VAS pain intensity than the control group ( P=0.0001 ), improved walking time ( P=0.05 ) and greater lateral spine flexion range ( P=0.01 ). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that 8-sessions of acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with aromatic lavender oil were an effective method for short-term LBP relief. No adverse effects were reported. To complement mainstream medical treatment for sub-acute LBP, the combined therapy of acupoint stimulation followed by acupressure with aromatic lavender oil may be one of the choices as an add-on therapy for short-term reduction of LBP.