Ever underestimated a simple tool? In medicine, what looks “folk” on the surface often turns out to be quietly profound.
In this Shoptalk episode—part of the larger series on colds, cough, and flu, we sit down with Carly Herrero—an acupuncturist and massage therapist from Maine who has made gua sha a central part of her clinical toolkit. What many consider a basic home remedy becomes, in her hands, a method of precision, intention, and measurable impact.
We explore how gua sha functions like a controlled burn—a gentle provocation that stimulates local inflammation in service of reducing systemic inflammation. We discuss why it’s especially effective for colds, flus, and those stubborn, lingering coughs that don’t quite resolve. Carly shares how to tailor both technique and dosage to constitution, terrain, and timing, and offers practical guidance on location, sequence, and how to safely teach it for home use.
Her message lands with quiet clarity: effective medicine doesn’t always require complexity or specialized equipment. Sometimes, the simplest methods—applied with presence, discernment, and a practiced hand—create the biggest difference.
When doing gua sha, use your tool to connect with the patient’s body and energy, just as you do with the acupuncture needle and with your hands when you palpate. With gua sha we are looking for some kind of change- not necessarily sha, but any change in color, texture, temperature of the tissues, relief for the patient, improvement in joint mobility, changes in the tongue, pulse, hara, and channels. A little gua sha can go a long way.
I’m an acupuncturist, educator, and owner at Yarmouth Acupuncture LLC. I bring over 20 years experience in natural medicine and a personal ever-evolving dedication to health and wellness.
My clinical approach involves listening and palpation to help the patient experience better connection to themselves and a shift in well-being.
As an educator I offer continuing education workshops and online courses on gua sha, cupping, Eastern medicine, and ethics.
I worked in hospice care for many years and provide trainings on hospice and home health acupuncture.
I served on the Washington Acupuncture and Eastern Medicine Association board of directors as secretary and chair of the continuing education committee from 2018 to 2020.
I taught business and Eastern bodywork classes at East West College of the Healing Arts, and was a teaching assistant at the Oregon College of Oriental Medicine. I have been practicing acupuncture in Maine since 2021.
You can find Carly at Blue Fire Healing Arts
Carly has a Gua Sha course on Net of Knowledge.
In this conversation we talked about the fine tools made by Mark Parzynski at AcuArtistry.
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