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 healthCourse 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 confidenceWho 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 requiredCE Finder
This course has been approved for continuing education by numerous professional boards and associations worldwide. Scroll sideways to find your board or association.
Course: Foundation in Gua ShaApprovals Listed: 73
CE Broker Provider: #20-1100782 Scroll right to view all approvals in alphabetical order → Alabama Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Alabama Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours
5 Alabama State Board of Occupational Therapy *General* Approved Hours
5 Alaska Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
5 Arizona Board of Occupational Therapy *General* Approved Hours
5 Arizona State Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Arkansas Board of Massage Approved Hours
5 Association of Massage Therapists (AMT) Approved Hours
5 Australian Traditional Medicine Society Approved Hours
5 Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer (BOC) Approved Hours
5 British Acupuncture Council Approved Hours
5 Canadian Athletic Trainers Association (CATA) Approved Hours
2 Canadian Massage & Manual Osteopathic Therapists Association (CMMOTA) Approved Hours
5 Certified Registered Massage Therapist Assc (CRMTA) Approved Hours
5 - Secondary CEU/CPD Self-Cert Approved Hours
5 Chinese Medicine Board of Australia Approved Hours
5 Chiropractic Board of Australia Approved Hours
5 College of Acupuncturists of Alberta Approved Hours
5 College of Complementary Health Professionals of British Columbia (CCHPBC) Approved Hours
5 College of Massage Therapists of New Brunswick (CMTNB) Approved Hours
5 College of Massage Therapists of Newfoundland and Labrador (CMTNL) Approved Hours
2.5 College of Massage Therapists Ontario (CMTO) Approved Hours
5 College of Naturopathic Physicians of British Columbia (CNPBC) Approved Hours
5 College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncurists of British Columbia Approved Hours
5 College of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners and Acupuncurists of Ontario Approved Hours
5 Connecticut Board of Chiropractors Approved Hours
5 Connecticut Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Deleware Board of Massage and Bodywork Approved Hours
5 Distrcit of Columbia Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Florida Board of Acupuncture Approved Hours
5 Florida Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 (Hands On credits) Georgia Board of Massage Therapy *General* Approved Hours
5 Georgia Board of Nursing *General* Approved Hours
5 Georgia Composite Medical Board (Acupuncturists) Approved Hours
5 Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy *General* Approved Hours
5 Hawaii Board of Acupuncture Approved Hours
5 Indiana Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Iowa Board of Chiropractic Approved Hours
5 Iowa Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
5 Kansas Chiropractic Association Approved Hours
5 Maine Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Maryland Board of Massage Therapy Examiners Approved Hours
5 Massage Therapists' Association of Nova Scotia (MTANS) Approved Hours
5 Mississippi State Board of Massage Therapy (MSBMT) Approved Hours
5 Missouri Board of Therapeutic Massage Approved Hours
5 Missouri State Board of Chiropractic Examiners Approved Hours
5 Montana Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 National Athletic Trainers' Association (NATA) Approved Hours
5 National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB) Approved Hours
5 National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork - New York (NCBTMB-NY) Approved Hours
5 Natural Health Practitioners of Canada (NHPC) Approved Hours
5 Nebraska Massage Licensure Board Approved Hours
5 Nevada Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
5 New Hampshire Advisory Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
5 New Jersey Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy Approved Hours
5 North Carolina Board of Massage & Bodywork Therapy Approved Hours
5 North Dakota Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Ohio Chiropractic Board Approved Hours
5 Oklahoma Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Oregon Board of Chiropractic Examiners Approved Hours
5 Oregon Board of Massage Therapists Approved Hours
5 Pennsylvania State Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Prince Edward Island Massage Therapy Association (PEIMTA) Approved Hours
5 Registered Massage Therapists' Association of Ontario (RMTAO) Approved Hours
5 South Carolina Massage/Bodywork Panel Approved Hours
5 South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy Approved Hours
5 Tennessee Board of Acupuncture Approved Hours
5 Tennessee Board of Massage Licensure Approved Hours
5 Virginia Department of Health Professions (Massage Therapy) Approved Hours
5 Washington Board of Acupuncture Approved Hours
5 Washington Board of Massage Approved Hours
5 Washington Board of Physical Therapy Approved Hours
5 West Virginia Massage Licensure Board Approved Hours
5
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.
★★★★★ 4.8 average rating across reviews collected via Trustpilot, Google Reviews, and Judge.me“Dr. Constance Bradley explains Gua Sha with a clear respect for both traditional principles and modern clinical application.”
Laura M., LMT“The course helped me understand how to use Gua Sha with more intention, not just as a scraping technique.”
Daniel R., PT“I appreciated the balance between TCM foundations, safety, and practical hands-on demonstration.”
Mei V., RMT“The explanations around pressure, direction, and tissue response were very useful for clinical decision-making.”
Chris J., Sports Therapist“Dr. Bradley presents the material calmly and professionally. The course made Gua Sha feel approachable and safe to learn.”
Vivian K., Massage Therapist“The practical demonstrations were excellent. I now feel much more confident introducing Gua Sha into appropriate sessions.”
Thomas E., Manual Therapist“A thoughtful course that gave me a better understanding of Gua Sha’s traditional roots and therapeutic use.”
Peter P., LMT“The safety guidance and contraindications were clearly explained, which made the course especially valuable.”
Nadav S., ATC“I liked how the course connected technique with client comfort, skin response, and professional judgement.”
Many T., RMT“Dr. Bradley’s teaching helped me understand when Gua Sha may be useful and when it should be avoided.”
Borris C., DC“This course gave me a more structured approach to using Gua Sha in massage and manual therapy practice.”
Natalie L., Massage Therapist“The demonstrations showed subtle details that are easy to miss, especially around angle, pacing, and pressure.”
Owen H., PTA“The material was clear, practical, and respectful of the history behind the modality.”
Sarah B., LMT“I found the clinical examples useful for understanding how Gua Sha can fit into broader treatment planning.”
Simon F., Sports Therapist“The course helped me feel more confident explaining Gua Sha to clients before treatment.”
Rodney D., RMT“Dr. Bradley makes the traditional theory accessible without oversimplifying it.”
Kevin W., OT“A practical foundation course that gives therapists a sensible way to begin using Gua Sha professionally.”
Samantha A., Manual Therapist“The emphasis on client communication and realistic expectations was one of the strongest parts of the course.”
Leila Q., LMT“The course gave me useful guidance on integrating Gua Sha without abandoning good assessment and clinical reasoning.”
Jessica G., Massage Therapist“A well-paced and professionally presented course. It gave me a solid foundation in both technique and safety.”
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