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Massage Cupping
A Modern Twist on an Ancient Technique
An ancient technique has found its place in the modern world of healing. Massage cupping is a modified version of the common practice of cupping therapy, used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and the results that this simple treatment produces are impressive. Through suction and negative pressure, massage cupping releases rigid soft tissue; drains excess fluids and toxins; loosens adhesions and lifts connective tissue; and brings blood flow to stagnant skin and muscles.
How does Massage Cupping Feel?
GREAT, the sensation of cupping is often characterized as deeply warm and many clients descend into a profound state of relaxation.
How is Massage Cupping Accomplished?
During Cupping Therapy a mild vacuum is created inside glass 'cups'. The vacuum effect of the cups creates suction that softens tissues and increases the circulation of blood and fluids. This method of stimulating the skin and underlying muscles, helps release area-specific toxins that have accumulated and encourages circulation of lymph and blood flow.
What are the Benefits of Massage Cupping?
Some of the therapeutic effects of Massage Cupping include: improved lymph drainage, loosening of adhesions and scar tissue, release of deep tissue, removal of stagnation, relief of inflammation, stimulation of blood flow and sedation of the nervous system.
How is Massage Cupping Different from Massage?
Where massage relaxes, massage cupping sedates the nervous system allowing for pain free deep tissue release! It works deeper with effects up to 4 inches deep, loosening adhesions and allowing the muscles to work more independently. Its effects are longer lasting and cumulative with repeat sessions. Lifting of the tissue opens pathways which have been closed off due to compressions or inflammation.
Does Cupping Leave Marks?
A common misinterpretation of cupping concerns the discoloration that can occur during treatment. Often when pathologic factors and stagnant fluids (toxins, blood and lymph) are dredged up during treatment, discoloration will appear on the skin. This is the therapeutically desired effect – the more this is visible, the greater the level of stagnation and toxicity that has been removed. It is quite common during stationary Cupping (left static for 5 - 20 minutes) to achieve dramatic marks or discolorations, less aggressive action while moving the cups can minimize the intensity and duration of these marks, and any discoloration should fade over a few days.
As treatments accumulate and the cause of stagnation and buildup has been drained (usually by the 3rd or 4th treatment) no discoloration is likely to occur at all, even though each time the cupping may have been focused on the same area for the same duration and with the same amount of negative pressure. This is the result of having internal unwanted toxins systematically purged. This is helpful in taking pressure off of joints and organs in the body by pulling this fluid and "creating space" for the tissue.
Although the marks look painful, they usually are not. Clients usually feel an immediate sense of relief.
Please note: For four to six hours following a treatment you should avoid any strenuous activity, cold weather and unpleasantly hot environments. Cupping opens the pores and because of this the absorption of liniments, analgesics, plant hydrosols or essential oils will be aided. Drinking more water than is typically necessary following treatment is helpful for oxygenating cleansed tissues