Foundation in Gua Sha (5 hrs)
NAT Foundation in Gua Sha
5 Hours CE/CPD | Online Course with Dr. Constance Bradley
Gua Sha is a traditional therapeutic technique with deep roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine, offering practitioners a structured way to support circulation, tissue comfort, recovery, and therapeutic care.
NAT Foundation in Gua Sha introduces the history, principles, assessment skills, therapeutic rationale, and practical techniques required to understand and apply Gua Sha safely within professional practice.
Presented by Dr. Constance Bradley, this course blends traditional Eastern perspectives with contemporary clinical understanding, helping holistic health practitioners develop confidence using Gua Sha across different areas of the body.
Course Overview
Across this 5-hour CE/CPD course, participants will explore the historical and cultural significance of Gua Sha, its relationship to Traditional Chinese Medicine, and its therapeutic use in both traditional and modern healthcare settings.
The course emphasizes both the “why” and the “how” of Gua Sha practice. Students will learn the rationale behind treatment choices, assessment considerations, health benefits, and practical techniques for different body areas.
Through step-by-step demonstrations and structured learning, participants will gain a clearer understanding of how Gua Sha may be used to support clients experiencing pain, restricted circulation, inflammation, soft tissue tension, and related therapeutic concerns.
Supported by video education, a fully illustrated course workbook, companion course, lesson quizzes, online exam, certificate of completion, and lifetime access, this program provides a practical foundation for integrating Gua Sha into professional therapeutic practice.
What You Will Learn
| Topic | Focus |
|---|---|
| History & TCM Foundations | Understanding the historical background, cultural significance, and Traditional Chinese Medicine roots of Gua Sha |
| Meaning & Purpose of Gua Sha | Exploring the core purpose, therapeutic rationale, and meaning behind the technique |
| Eastern & Western Perspectives | Comparing traditional and contemporary medical interpretations of Gua Sha applications |
| Assessment & Treatment Planning | Learning when, where, and why to apply Gua Sha within a therapeutic context |
| Practical Gua Sha Techniques | Mastering step-by-step techniques for different areas of the body |
| Therapeutic Benefits | Understanding how Gua Sha may support pain relief, circulation, inflammation reduction, and tissue health |
Course Content
The course combines Traditional Chinese Medicine foundations, Gua Sha history, assessment skills, treatment rationale, practical demonstrations, therapeutic applications, and modern clinical interpretation.
| Module | Focus |
|---|---|
| Introduction to Gua Sha | The origins, meaning, purpose, and clinical relevance of Gua Sha |
| TCM Foundations & Historical Context | Understanding Gua Sha within Traditional Chinese Medicine and cultural practice |
| Eastern and Western Applications | Exploring how Gua Sha is understood and applied across different therapeutic frameworks |
| Assessment and Clinical Reasoning | Determining when and where Gua Sha may be appropriate within professional scope |
| Practical Technique Demonstrations | Step-by-step Gua Sha applications for different body areas and treatment goals |
| Professional Integration | Integrating Gua Sha into holistic, manual therapy, and bodywork practice with confidence |
Who This Course Is For
This course is suitable for massage therapists, manual therapists, holistic health practitioners, rehabilitation professionals, bodyworkers, acupuncturists, integrative health practitioners, and other qualified professionals interested in adding Gua Sha to their therapeutic practice.
It is especially valuable for practitioners who want to understand both the traditional roots and practical clinical application of Gua Sha in a safe, structured, and professionally appropriate way.
About Dr. Constance Bradley
Dr. Constance Bradley, L.Ac., PhD, is a distinguished educator and practitioner with a diverse academic and professional background spanning acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Medicine, healthcare education, and integrative therapeutic practice.
A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, the University of Colorado, and the University of Utah, where she earned her PhD, Dr. Bradley has also earned an MA in Acupuncture from the Phoenix Institute of Herbal Medicine and Acupuncture.
In this course, Dr. Bradley guides students through the history, principles, assessment skills, and practical applications of Gua Sha, helping practitioners develop confidence and professional clarity when integrating this modality into practice.
Included With This Course
| Included | Details |
|---|---|
| Video Education | Step-by-step instruction and practical Gua Sha demonstrations presented by Dr. Constance Bradley |
| Fully Illustrated Workbook | Supporting course workbook covering Gua Sha history, theory, assessment, and technique application |
| Companion Course | Structured companion learning designed to reinforce and deepen course understanding |
| Lesson Quizzes | Knowledge checks designed to reinforce learning throughout the course |
| Online Exam | Assessment included for course completion |
| Certificate | 5 Hours CE/CPD following successful completion |
| Lifetime Access | Study at your own pace and revisit the material whenever required |
CE Finder
This course has been approved for continuing education by numerous professional boards and associations worldwide. Scroll sideways to find your board or association.
Approvals Listed: 73
CE Broker Provider: #20-1100782
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Approval requirements can change. Please confirm acceptance with your own board, association, employer, or regulatory authority before registration.
Foundation in Gua Sha
Professional Reviews & Feedback
The reviews below represent feedback provided by students and practitioners through Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and Judge.me.
“Dr. Constance Bradley explains Gua Sha with a clear respect for both traditional principles and modern clinical application.”
“The course helped me understand how to use Gua Sha with more intention, not just as a scraping technique.”
“I appreciated the balance between TCM foundations, safety, and practical hands-on demonstration.”
“The explanations around pressure, direction, and tissue response were very useful for clinical decision-making.”
“Dr. Bradley presents the material calmly and professionally. The course made Gua Sha feel approachable and safe to learn.”
“The practical demonstrations were excellent. I now feel much more confident introducing Gua Sha into appropriate sessions.”
“A thoughtful course that gave me a better understanding of Gua Sha’s traditional roots and therapeutic use.”
“The safety guidance and contraindications were clearly explained, which made the course especially valuable.”
“I liked how the course connected technique with client comfort, skin response, and professional judgement.”
“Dr. Bradley’s teaching helped me understand when Gua Sha may be useful and when it should be avoided.”
“This course gave me a more structured approach to using Gua Sha in massage and manual therapy practice.”
“The demonstrations showed subtle details that are easy to miss, especially around angle, pacing, and pressure.”
“The material was clear, practical, and respectful of the history behind the modality.”
“I found the clinical examples useful for understanding how Gua Sha can fit into broader treatment planning.”
“The course helped me feel more confident explaining Gua Sha to clients before treatment.”
“Dr. Bradley makes the traditional theory accessible without oversimplifying it.”
“A practical foundation course that gives therapists a sensible way to begin using Gua Sha professionally.”
“The emphasis on client communication and realistic expectations was one of the strongest parts of the course.”
“The course gave me useful guidance on integrating Gua Sha without abandoning good assessment and clinical reasoning.”
“A well-paced and professionally presented course. It gave me a solid foundation in both technique and safety.”
