Coining, or cao gio, is an alternative treatment for minor ailments such as fever, cough, headache, backache, and other minor illness. This therapy originates in Southeast Asia. In the U.S., the practice is most commonly seen practiced by persons from Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos.

The beliefs about health and the causes of illness in Southeast Asian cultures differ from those of traditional western medicine. While practices and beliefs vary among different ethnic groups, there exists a common theme whereby illness is believed to be caused by a disruption of balance. This belief system derives from the Chinese concept of yin and yang. Every aspect in the universe has an opposing element or force and each of these must be in balance to achieve health. When an imbalance is perceived, illness develops.

In the Vietnamese and Cambodian culture, the concept of yin and yang is commonly translated as "hot and cold". It is believed that an excess or deficiency of "hot or cold" causes illness. It is important to understand that the concept of hot and cold does not specifically refer to temperature. For example, different foods, herbs, and medicines are defined as hot, cold, or neutral elements. To cure an illness caused by an excess of "hot", "cold" therapies will reestablish balance and thus health and vice versa.

This concept of balance also applies to the belief in "wind". It is believed that an excess of "wind" causes specific ailments which can then be treated by "releasing wind" from the body. "Wind" refers to an intrinsic force and does not relate to the environmental concept of wind. Coining is believed to release excess "wind" from the body and thus restore balance and health to the patient.

Coining is a relatively simple remedy to perform.

First, hot oil is rubbed onto the patient's neck, back, and/or shoulders depending on the illness being treated. The ointment or oil used varies. Tiger balm, herbal liquid medicines, and ointments containing ingredients such as camphor, menthol, wintergreen oil, eucalyptus oil, peppermint oil, and cinnamon oil are commonly used.

Next, a coin (as seen in the image below) or edge of a spoon is rubbed vigorously in a linear pattern over the bony prominences such as the spine and ribs until a skin abrasion is seen. The procedure often lasts 15-20 minutes.

Image 1: A 'coining tool' is a quarter-sized coin attached to a handle

The technique is deemed to be effective if the coin rubbing produces a red mark. The ecchymotic areas produced by coining usually persist for a few days.

Image 2: Linear erythematous and ecchymotic areas are seen on the chest and back of this 33 year-old Vietnames man following coining. Please follow the link provided to view a larger image.

from altmed.creighton.edu

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