DOI: 10.32098/mltj_2026_7464

Gua Sha therapy reduces thoracolumbar fascia thickness and improves lumbar flexibility: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Authors

  • Beibei Wang Department of Sports Rehabilitation, School of Sports and Health, Yango University, Fuzhou, China; Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Graduate School, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand
  • Yang Hu Traditional Chinese Medicine Nursing Clinic, Ganzhou City Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ganzhou, China
  • Yuan Xie Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Graduate School, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Faculty of Physical Education, Heilongjiang University of Technology, Jixi, China
  • Wichai Eungpinichpong School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand; Research Center in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance (BNOJPH), Division of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen, Thailand

wiceun@kku.ac.th

Keywords

Gua Sha, myofascial therapy, thoracolumbar fascia, ultrasound imaging, healthy adults, fascia thickness, lumbar flexibility

Abstract

Background: Chronic low back pain (LBP) is associated with changes in the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) structure. Gua Sha is a traditional manual therapy that can relieve LBP, but there is a lack of clinical evidence on whether it can affect fascial properties.
Objectives: To investigate the immediate effects of Gua Sha on TLF thickness and functional parameters in healthy adults.
Methods: In this pilot randomized controlled trial, 24 healthy participants were randomly assigned to a Gua Sha group (n = 12) or a control group (n = 12). The intervention group received a single 15-minute Gua Sha session, while the control group rested in a prone position. Outcomes, including TLF thickness, tissue hardness, pressure pain threshold , skin temperature, and lumbar flexibility, were measured before and immediately after the intervention.
Results: Compared to the control group, the Gua Sha group showed a significant reduction in bilateral TLF thickness (right: mean difference -0.40 mm, 95% CI -0.71 to -0.09, p = 0.017; left: -0.36 mm, 95% CI -0.68 to -0.05, p = 0.027). Significant improvements were also observed in skin temperature (p < 0.001), left-side pressure pain threshold (p <0.01), and lumbar flexibility (p <0.001). Tissue hardness slightly increased post-intervention, but not significantly.
Conclusion: A single Gua Sha session reduced TLF thickness and enhanced lumbar flexibility in healthy adults, supporting its potential as a fascia-targeted intervention. Further studies in LBP populations are warranted.

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Published

2026-08-24

Issue

2026: LATEST ONLINE

How to Cite

1.
Wang B, Hu Y, Xie Y, Eungpinichpong W. Gua Sha therapy reduces thoracolumbar fascia thickness and improves lumbar flexibility: a pilot randomized controlled trial. MLTJ [Internet]. 2026 Aug. 24 [cited 2026 Nov. 9];16. Available from: https://mltj.online/index.php/mltj/article/view/7464