What is Cupping Therapy?
FREE Demo
Benefits of Cupping
How can cupping be applied?
What are cups made of?
What are those marks that sometime occur?
How should I prepare for a cupping therapy session?
What should I do after my cupping session?
Reasons not to receive Cupping
What is Cupping Therapy?
Negative pressure, rather than tissue compression is superior for bodywork for pain, stubborn conditions, repetitive strains, inflammation, toxicity, chronic fatigue, digestive problems and a slough of other issues we confront as we grow older.
Suction cups rapidly facilitate rigid soft tissue release, loosens & lifts connective tissue, breaks up and drains stagnation while increasing blood & lymph flow to skin & muscles in ways not possible using compression.
Another benefit of Cupping is that it can feel really great when done properly for your constitution and current physiology and/or condition. The pulling action engages the parasympathetic nervous system, thus allowing a deep relaxation to move through the entire body. It is not unusual to fall asleep when receiving this treatment. You will be surprised at how relaxed, warm and light you’ll feel – hours… sometimes even days afterwards.
Free Demo- WHO doesn’t like trying new stuff for FREE?
I offer a free demonstration to clients that are getting a massage with me. They can receive their demo on their 1st or 10th visit or whenever. I don’t care. This is service that I offer and I know people are often hesitant to try something new if they have to pay for it. As I know this and how beneficial cupping therapy is I help eliminate this issue and treat my clients so they can see for themselves. Demonstrations are normally done on the shoulders due to the fact that this is the most common problem area for people. I will do demonstrations other areas of the body like the legs or low back and hips. I do not do demonstrations for abdominal cupping or facial cupping due to the length of time required for these types of therapies.
Benefits:
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Deep tissue work and release without the discomfort
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Moves Stagnation and drains fluids
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Relieves inflammation
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Nervous System Sedation
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Breaks up and Expels congestion
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Stretches muscle and connective tissues
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Loosens adhesions
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Pulls blood supply to skin
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Facilitiates the move ment of Qi and blood systemically and locally
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Dispels wind, damp, and cold to treat muscle and joint pain, stiffness, and arthritis
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Strengthens the immune system by promoting the flow of lyphatic fluid
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Treats excess heat coniditions, fever, stress, depression, and anxiety
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Cleans the blood and lypmh and helps to balance ph levels
How can cupping be applied?
Massage cupping- using the cups to do what some have labeled as a “reverse massage.”
The cup is positioned on the skin and then a vacuum is created within the cup which gently pulls the underlying tissue into the cup. This suction increases blood and lymphatic circulation systemically and to the local area, relaxes muscle tissue and connective fibers, moves stagnation, pathogenic factors, and other toxins out of the body and releases a variety of pain causing factors. When the vacuum is released your fascia (skin) has been pulled away from the muscle and the muscle itself will have relaxed. You will also instantly notice your blood, energy, and lymph flow are more vigorously through the area.
Suction pressure can range from light to heavy. A therapist can create a stimulating (toning) or a sedating (draining) effect depending on the movements performed and areas treated. To ensure the desired outcome, the therapist should effectively asses the condition (mental, physical, and emotional) of their clients before the procedure.
What are cups made of?
All different types of materials- wood, glass, plastic and even silicone!
What are those marks that sometime occur?
They are not bruises! This is a common and unfortunate misconception concerning the misinterpretation of the discoloration. A bruise is caused by impact trauma with breakage of capillaries and reactionary rush of fluids to the damaged area from the tissue compression/ injury. There is no compression with negative pressure therapy. The less aggressive action of moving the cups minimizes the intensity and duration of the discoloration, however the it is common during Stationary cupping (left static for 5-20 mins) dramatic marks or discolorations can be achieved.
When injuries occur deep in the muscle, bleeding often occurs causing deep bruises. Edema is also in the area involving the coagulation of sticky proteins. When you combine these two elements it usually results in a the circulation in the area to become stagnate which results in pain, dysfunction, and chronic conditions.
When the suction is applied it draws up the old non-circulating stagnate fluids from the area and brings them to the surface and away from the injury so that the healthy free circulation can be restored to the affected area. This helps oxygen, living cells, and nutrients get to the area which promotes faster recovery.
Discolorations will dissipate from a few hours to as long as 2 weeks in some cases and in relation to your after-care activities.
How should I prepare for a cupping therapy session?
If you want aggressive therapy to treat a problem area you will want to start detoxing a couple of days (if not a week) before- eating cleaner and drinking lots of water. Even if you want just a regular cupping therapy I always suggest to lay off the soda and chips and fast food. Add in the water and fresh foods leading up to your session. You will feel better after your session. TRUST ME.
What can I expect as far as physical effects from suction cup therapy?
The after effects of Cupping are most intense at the beginning of receiving treatments, and lessen dramatically as your system becomes accustomed to the treatments as they cumulate. Besides the effects Cupping provides for specific conditions, injuries and illnesses, some of the general after effects include:
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the need for sleep
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intense hunger (munchies)
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no appetite
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similar to post deep tissue massage
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nausea
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euphoria
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feelings of being “hung over”
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increased bowel elimination
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stronger body odor (detox)
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“best nights sleep in years”
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inability to sleep
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vivid dreams
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night sweats
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heightened senses (smell, sight, sound)
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craving for certain foods
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thirst and cotton mouth
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emotional release
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stronger than normal bowel & urine odors
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skin surface warmer than normal
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chills
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restless (wanting to clean, organize, etc.)
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soreness, like after strenuous exercise
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feeling of reduced mass, increased height
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headachy
What should I do after my cupping session?
Drink lots of water (you should already be doing this because you most likely also just got a massage). No extreme temperature changes (don’t go sit in a sauna or steam room). No crazy workouts (why would you ruin your massage anyways!?). Avoid caffeine, alcohol, sugary foods and drinks, dairy and processed meats. This is to ensure you feel your best after your treatment and the days following.
Reasons not to receive cupping:
Cupping is contraindicated in cases of severe diseases, i.e. cardiac failure, renal failure, ascites due to hepato-cirrhosis and severe edema, as well as hemorrhagic diseases such as allergic purpura, hemophilia and leukemia, and clients with dermatosis, destruction of skin, or allergic dermatitis. Cupping should not be applied on the portion where hernia exists or has occurred in the past. For pregnant women, the lower abdomen, medial leg and lumbosacral region should be avoided. Generally 1st trimester is avoid if the client has never had cupping therapy before.
Also do not combine cupping therapy with or right after aggressive exfoliation, 4 hrs after shaving, or after sunburn.
Disclaimer:
Information on this site is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professional. You should not use the information contained herein for diagnosing or treating a health problem or disease, or prescribing any medication. As a non-medical practitioner, if you have or suspect that you have a medical problem, promptly contact your health care provider. Information and statements regarding cupping have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.