What is “Sha”?

“Sha” generally means deviation, and depending on the context it is used, may have several meanings.

The word is usually found in discussions of Feng Shui, Spiritual path or occultism, and in the medical field.

In the medical field, “Sha” generally means toxins, which are most often found in the blood.

There 4 types of toxins in “Sha” in Chinese medicine:

1. Toxins from the naturally occurring external environmental such as wind, chill, heat, dampness, etc.

2. Toxins from febrile diseases – the equivalent of viruses.

3. Drug toxins from prolonged medication. Chemical odours detected during Paida are evidence of detoxification.

4. Toxins produced by negative mind-set and emotions. These are far more toxic than drug toxins, and are the main cause of diseases.

From the perspective of Western medicine, “Sha” can possibly be thought of as endotoxins and waste products of metabolism, which attack or retard the normal functioning of the body’s biochemical systems. These gradually starve the issues of oxygen, nutrients and metabolites, thus impeding regrowth of fresh cells and blood, accelerate aging, and slowly develop disease conditions.

Traditionally in the old days, “Sha” in blood and issue used to be mainly poison, heat, wind, cold, damp, disease factors, virus, bacteria, old stagnant Qi, old stagnant blood, etc etc.

In modern times, however, due to a hectic and stressful world, and the consumption of huge amounts of health supplements and medication, and the presence of growth hormones, anti-biotics, herbicides, and fertilisers in the food we consume, “Sha” from drugs, chemicals and negative thought patterns are becoming more prevalent.

In Western medicine, endotoxins may include urea, bacteria, viruses and their metabolites, as well as cell-damaging oxygen free radicals, and other active substances generated during the oxygen’s metabolic processes in the body. Endotoxins contaminate the body’s internal environment, obstruct Qi and blood flow in the channels, lead to hypoxia and hence aging of cells. They result in pathological changes and deterioration health.

These “Sha” are inadvertently lodged in our exterior surface (just under the skin), and then the Qi and blood channels, the tissues, and finally the Zang Fu organs, causing blockages and diseases.

During Paida, Guasha or Cupping, the “Sha” are pounded and vibrated and dislodged from the tissues and blood, and brought up closer to the surface of the body near the skin where the naturally body defences for protecting and expelling external pathogenic factor will be activated to cast them out. These “Sha” take the appearance of ghastly looking bruises, but are not really bruises because the “Sha” will not appear on the skin of healthy parts of the body.

“Sha” is hidden or lodged deep inside the tissue and is thus not visible to the eye until it has been dislodged by Paida or Gua Sha to ooze out of the capillaries together with red blood cells to the surface of the body.