Tradition & Health : About the koah kshal technique

Rubbing coins on the body is a healing technique practised in much of South-East Asia as well as in some East Asian countries. In Cambodia, it is practised by everyone. The technique is known in Khmer as កោស ខ្យល់ (koah kshal - rubbing the wind - or sickness according to other sources).

Although the practice and its explanation differ from region to region, there are important points in common. The procedure always involves a type of oil or ointment and a small circular object, usually a coin.

Tiger balm is the most frequently used, especially in Cambodia. However, any combination containing camphor, methanol, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil or cinnamon oil is used, depending on the region.

Technique

The balm is applied and a coin is rubbed until red marks become visible. The lines are rubbed on each side of the spine. If the pain or pathology is intense, the treatment can also be applied to the whole body.

This technique is thought to cure insomnia, migraines, headaches, cramps, muscular pains, respiratory problems, chronic pain, chronic coughs and joint problems.

Explanations

The explanations heard to justify the procedure are generally based on the idea that ‘bad wind’ or miasmas are the cause of the illness. Friction and ruptured blood vessels allow this miasma to exit the body. Sometimes this is presented as an imbalance. As the practice probably originated in China, some have linked it to yin and yang.

Other explanations involve increasing blood circulation and breaking down toxic blood clots. The technique could, according to some, fit into a Western model of medicine.

This suggests distraction from pain, release of endorphins, muscle relaxation, bringing blood to the surface to cool fever, increased white blood cell count and, of course, the placebo effect.

Questionable?

Abroad, communities in South-East Asia still practise coin rubbing. But they run into problems with health professionals, who sometimes mistake these marks for abuse.

Supporters of this traditional technique claim that there are no long-term harmful effects, but Western health professionals do not really accept the practice.