The Gua sha Show

Clive Witham

Despite being used in East Asia for centuries, Gua sha is often misunderstood in the West. Join Clive Witham - bestselling author of 6 books with 25+ years of clinical experience - as he shares his entertaining insights into the world of Gua sha and Eastern medicine. Whether you treat yourself or treat professionally, and whether you're interested in beauty or health, there's something for everyone! Packed with self-treatment tips, professional secrets, and great advice on how to treat your body and face with Gua sha!

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20 episodes
Avg 14 min
English

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Jun 25, 2025 · 8 min
Why the Face Can’t Be Separated from the Body – Ecology in Motion Explained
In this episode, Clive Witham explores a radically different way of understanding the face—not as an isolated part of the body, but as the visible tip of a much deeper, interconnected system. Drawing from decades of clinical experience and the Ecology in Motion framework, Clive shares why facial treatments often fall short when they ignore the rest of the body—and how reconnecting with structural patterns, posture, and even the arms and back can unlock true transformation. You'll hear clinic stories, practical techniques, and a new way of seeing the body that brings nature, structure, and facial work into alignment. 🎟️ Fall live trainings now open in Barcelona, Salt Lake City, New York, and Hollywood FL. 💻 Register before July 4th and get a full online course for free. 👉 komorebi-institute.com
Jun 15, 2025 · 5 min
Your Face Isn’t a Map—It’s a Garden
Your face isn’t a map of flaws to fix—it’s a living garden to nurture. In Ecology in Motion, I rethink facial care by seeing the skin as part of a dynamic ecosystem: rivers of blood and lymph, fascial networks, and the body’s memory. Ditch the beauty-industry focus on “sculpting” and “lifting”—this practice is about communication, not force. By addressing deeper tension patterns, vascular flow, and fascial restrictions, EIM works with your body’s physiology to reveal radiant change from within. Let me shown you how we treat the whole system, not just the surface. Because real transformation starts below the skin.
S3 · E5
Jan 6, 2025 · 12 min
Gua sha Doesn’t Tighten or Tone—Why the Beauty Industry Got It Wrong
Are Gua sha tools really the magic wands for tighter, toned skin, or has the beauty industry led us astray? In this episode, we dive into the science, history, and misconceptions surrounding Facial Gua sha. From debunking bold claims about collagen production and muscle toning to exploring what Gua Sha actually does—like boosting circulation and reducing puffiness—this episode sets the record straight. Whether you’re a practitioner or simply Gua sha curious, get ready to rethink everything you thought you knew about this ancient practice. Spoiler alert: it’s not about flawless skin!
Dec 12, 2024 · 9 min
Gua sha Doesn’t Detox—Stop Believing the Lie
In this eye-opening episode, we tackle one of the most pervasive myths surrounding Gua sha: its supposed detoxification powers. Despite the countless claims you’ll find online and the buzzword-filled pitches from tool sellers and trainers, the idea that Gua sha detoxifies simply doesn’t hold water. Join me as I debunk this misconception and explore what detoxification truly means in the body, including how our liver, kidneys, and circulatory systems already handle this critical function. Learn why the term "detox" isn’t even part of traditional Chinese medicine’s vocabulary and discover the actual science and mechanics behind Gua sha. Whether you’re a practitioner, a curious user, or someone eager to separate fact from fiction, this episode will deepen your understanding of Gua sha’s profound benefits—beyond the oversimplified and misleading buzzwords.
S3 · E3
Sep 3, 2024 · 18 min
5 Shocking Truths About Facial Gua sha That Will Change The Way You See It
In this episode of The Gua sha Show, Clive Witham pulls back the curtain on the world of Facial Gua sha, revealing five shocking truths that might just change the way you view this ancient practice completely. Discover why facial Gua sha is often mistaken for lymphatic drainage, learn about its real history, and understand why the right technique matters more than the tools you use. Clive's decades of experience and deep research come together to debunk widespread myths and bring you closer to authentic Gua sha. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just starting out, this episode will help you navigate the complex landscape of Gua sha with clarity and confidence.
S3 · E2
Jul 16, 2024 · 14 min
Beyond Collagen & Elastin: A New Look at Worry Lines (with Facial Gua sha)
Tired of hearing the same old explanations about worry lines and wrinkles? In this episode, we challenge conventional wisdom and dive into a fascinating, nature-based perspective on why these lines form. Forget about collagen and elastin for a moment. We'll explore how your forehead functions like a river system, and how understanding this can revolutionize your approach to facial care. Discover how Gua sha can revitalize this system and help smooth those worry lines. Join us as we unravel the secrets behind your forehead's unique landscape, and learn how to harness the power of Facial Gua sha for a more natural, holistic approach to anti-aging.
S3 · E1
Nov 18, 2023 · 15 min
Revolutionizing Healthcare: Introducing Gua sha into Sri Lanka
The second part of Season 2 of the Gua sha Show kicks of with the story of how Clive and his team introduced Gua sha to Sri Lanka. He talks about the history behind the Gua sha project, his experiences in Africa and Japan and his multi-layered approach of the Gua sha project with training doctors and nurses in a hospital, professional practitioners in workshops, and parents, teachers, children and community members in the community workshops. He explains how his long-held dream became reality and, as always, brings his unique perspectives to how we understand Gua sha, life and everything in-between!
S2 · E7
Jun 11, 2022 · 15 min
The Magic of Gua sha!
Gua sha is a very special technique and is far more complicated than many people realize. In this episode of the Gua sha show, Clive explains just how revolutionary an ecological approach can be in helping people to understand our connections not only within our bodies but with our external natural environment. If you want to stay up-to-date with what's happening in the world of Gua sha, then subscribe and listen!
S2 · E6
Apr 2, 2022 · 23 min
9 Safety Tips for Gua sha!
It's important to think about safety when you do Gua sha, and in this episode of the Gua sha show, Clive gives you 9 tips on how you can incorporate safety into your Health & Wellness or Facial Gua sha treatments. He draws on his 20 year-experience in Gua sha and talks about the use of tools, lubrication, disinfection, technique, misinterpretations, treatment limits and much more! If you want to stay up-to-date with what's happening in the world of Gua sha, then subscribe and listen!
S2 · E5
Mar 13, 2022 · 12 min
Reenvisioning Facial Gua sha
Facial Gua sha can be seen in many ways. In this episode of the Gua sha show Clive gives you the basis of his way. To bring the beauty of the natural world of Chinese medicine into every treatment. He stresses the need for a foundation in what you do and that this can be found to the realm of natural science and a revision of how Chinese medicine is normally viewed. And how if you do this, you can treat with confidence. If you want to stay up-to-date with what's happening in the world of Gua sha, then subscribe and listen!
S2 · E4
Mar 4, 2022 · 13 min
The Gua sha Project
Gua sha has the potential to eliminate the need for medical attention and reduce the reliance on pharmaceutical medication for some common ailments. In this episode, Clive explains how this is the basis for the Gua sha Project, a community driven program for disadvantaged areas of the world. He goes through some of the history of Gua sha which lie behind the project as well as his personal hopes and dreams, and also a little about the Sri Lanka project. If you want to stay up-to-date with what's happening in the world of Gua sha, then subscribe and listen!
S2 · E3
Sep 27, 2021 · 19 min
How to Treat Perimenopause with Gua sha!
Gua sha can be very effective in a clinical situation and this is something I know because I've used it in my clinic for decades. One condition it has proved useful with is with controlling the symptoms of perimenopause. In this episode, I look at a study which explores how to use Gua sha for this condition and also how to see the body through the lens of nature - in this case, the movement of a sunflower. I give detailed descriptions of the Gua sha treatment used in the protocol so that you can follow it and add a few tips of my own. If you want to stay up-to-date with what's happening in the world of Gua sha, then subscribe and listen!
S2 · E2
Sep 14, 2021 · 16 min
Facial Gua sha for Eye Bags and Dark Rings
Anyone can scrape around the eyes with a tool but it takes special skill to really understand the body-wide context of facial features like eye bags and dark rings. In this episode, Clive looks at what these features mean both in the local context of your face and also how they stem from circulatory and muscular relationships within the body. Chinese medicine is all about patterns and motions and Facial Gua sha is no different. He shows you how eye bags are closely related to your stomach and digestion, and how dark rings are connected to the kidneys. He also explains how these are treated and the cautions of applying temperature to the face. If you want to stay up-to-date with what's happening in the world of Gua sha, then subscribe and listen!
S2 · E1
Sep 8, 2021 · 18 min
4 Reasons Why You Should Use Gua sha Over Your Head
Season 2 of the Gua sha show starts with a fascinating episode on the reasons why you should use Gua sha on the head area. In episode 1, Clive looks at how structural changes, circulation changes, holographic changes and temperature changes can be made on the body and the face by treating the head area with Gua sha. He explains the tools you need and the technique and, as always, brings his unique perspective to Gua sha that you can't miss! If you want to stay up-to-date with what's happening in the world of Gua sha, then subscribe and listen!
S1 · E15
May 4, 2021 · 14 min
How you Learn Traditional Scraping Therapy in East Asia!
In East Asia, traditional scraping health techniques like Gua sha (China), Kerokan (Indonesia), Cao Gio (Vietnam) and Kos Kyal (Cambodia) show similarities in how they are learned through ancestral lines in village communities. In this episode of the Gua sha show, we look at Kerokan in Indonesia and we explore how one villager has learned how to scrape her family and how she then passes this down to a new generation. If you want to stay up-to-date with what's happening in the world of Gua sha, then subscribe and listen!
S1 · E14
Apr 27, 2021 · 16 min
Why I Do Gua sha!
In this episode of the Gua sha Show, Clive shares with you why after 20 years he's still using Gua sha, how he came to focus on it professionally, some of the common misunderstandings around it and how best to understand Gua sha. If you want to stay up-to-date with what's happening in the world of Gua sha, then subscribe and listen!
S1 · E13
Apr 20, 2021 · 18 min
How is Gua sha Being Used in the Current Pandemic?
Few people are aware that Gua sha has been used to treat some of the symptoms of the effects of Covid-19 in China. In this episode, Clive explains how it is being used in hospitals in China and details the protocol used and also gives you a plan of treatment to use at home from one of China's experts in Gua sha. If you want to stay up-to-date with what's happening in the world of Gua sha, then subscribe and listen!
S1 · E12
Apr 13, 2021 · 13 min
Why Gua sha isn't for Everyone!
Gua sha isn't for everyone and in this episode Clive breaks down exactly why some people either don't like, can't have or need special care with Gua sha. He uses his personal experience to show you what can happen and recounts some of this via the treatment experiences of his life, including the years he treated in a brothel! If you do Gua sha, you need to know what Clive has to say. If you want to stay up-to-date with what's happening in the world of Gua sha, then subscribe and listen!
S1 · E11
Apr 6, 2021 · 13 min
What Are the Benefits of Facial Gua sha?
Facial Gua sha has wonderful benefits for the face and body but maybe not what you think! In this episode of the Gua sha Show, Clive delves into the effects on connective tissue and blood circulation and what this means in understanding Facial Gua sha. He looks at modern Chinese ideas about the benefits and then gives his version based on ancient Chinese ecological principles. If you want to stay up-to-date with what's happening in the world of Gua sha, then subscribe and listen!
S1 · E10
Mar 30, 2021 · 13 min
How Does Gua sha Help Puffiness in Your Face?
Gua sha is a great solution to puffiness in your face and if you use it right you can really help both the local problem and the cause of the problem too! In this episode Clive throws light on what causes swelling in the body and how we can use simple farming analogies to understand and apply the basic principles of how to apply Gua sha. If you want to stay up-to-date with what's happening in the world of Gua sha, then subscribe and listen!

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