About Cupping Therapy
Cupping Therapy is the combination of massage movements and negative pressure with the use of a suction device, cup, on the skin. The cups are positioned at the area to be treated and a vacuum is created within the cup to draw the skin and underlying tissue into the cup. The produced vacuum creates a suction effect that increases blood and lymphatic circulation systemically and to the local area, relaxes muscle tissue and support, draws stagnation, pathogenic factors and cellular waste out of the body and releases a myriad of pain causing factors.
The intended suction can range from light to heavy. This, along with the movements performed and areas treated will produce stimulating (toning) or sedating (draining) effects. It is very important that I assess the condition (physical, mental, and emotional) of the client, before Cupping Therapy is applied. Please be upfront and honest with me about your health and how you are doing when I check in with you, so that I can employ the proper application of the cups to produce the desired outcome.
Cupping therapy rapidly facilitates rigid soft tissue release, loosens and lifts connective tissue, breaks up and drains stagnation while increasing blood and lymph flow to skin and muscles in ways not possible using compression.
Another benefit of Negative Pressure Massage or Cupping is that it really feels great. 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 while receiving this treatment. Clients are surprised at how relaxed, warm and light they feel – hours… sometimes even days afterwards.
Athletes and Cupping
The use of Cupping is commonplace throughout the history of the Olympic Games for maintenance, pre and post event injuries, detoxification and recovery. Besides Cupping for injuries and recovery, Olympic Trainers use suction to draw toxins from the swimmers that have been absorbed from the pools that they are in for many hours everyday day. Dead cellular debris, waste, stagnation and excess fluids are drawn to the surface and sometimes leave deposits under the skin, which is the best place for the lympatic system to drain it away.
Cumulative Cupping treatments increases muscle endurance, circulation, lung capacity, lymphatic drainage and health maintenance during strenous activities. Many professional athletes incorporate it into their training to enhance their overall performance and ability to recover from their sports.
Important Cupping Info
There is the possibility of discoloration that can occur from the release and clearing of stagnation and toxins from the body. This effect is not bruising, but cellular debris, stagnation, pathogenic factors and cellular waste being drawn to the surface to be cleared away by your body’s circulatory systems. These marks will dissipate within a few hours to as long as 2 weeks in some cases, and in relation to the after-care and physical activities post treatment.
Cupping Therapy modalities should not be combined with aggressive exfoliation, within 4 hrs after shaving, after sunburn or when one is hungry or thirsty.
Avoid exposure to extreme cold, wet, and/or windy weather conditions, hot showers, steam saunas, and intense exercise for 4-6 hours after your Cupping sessions. Exposure to extremes can produce undesirable effects and these situations should be avoided.
Should you find yourself achy or uncomfortable in the evenings we recommend a 20 minute soak in a warm bath with 1 C Epsom Salt and 1/2 C Baking Soda.
Please take the time, before driving your car home to be sure that your proprioception is stable. Visit the restroom and get some more water for the drive.
Minimize caffeine, sugary foods and drinks, dairy and processed meats. Increase your consumption of clean water.
Drinking alcohol before or after Cupping can cause nausea and overall achiness. Consume at your own risk pre and post Cupping treatments.
Disclaimer: Any and all information contained on this website is purely for informational purposes only, and is not to be interpreted as medical advice.