What is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy is a Chinese medicine technique that has been used for centuries for many different conditions. Glass, plastic, or silicone cups are placed on the skin, creating a vacuum-like seal from the lack of oxygen.
The superficial muscle layer is drawn up into the cup, which stimulates the circulation of blood, breaks up adhesions, and creates a pathway for toxins to be drawn out of the body through the lymphatic system.
It has been found that cupping therapy can affect tissues up to 4 inches deep; affecting blood vessels, fascia, muscles, and scar tissue.
There are different types of cupping techniques two of which are the most popular: stationary and gliding cups.
Stationary Cupping
Stationary cups are where one or several cups are placed in the treatment zone for 5-15 minutes.
Gliding Cups
Gliding cups is when a topical ointment or liniment is placed on the skin first and the cups are gently moved across the skin, usually along meridians or fascia / muscle planes.
Cupping therapy is a gentle suction pulling away tension and pressure from tight and painful muscles or areas of the body. Afterwards it feels like you have just received a deep tissue massage.
Typically with massage you press into the tissues, whereas cupping is the opposite where you pull the tissues up.
Depending on the amount of suction and the state of the underlying tissues, it can leave circular marks that vary from a light yellow to dark purple.
In Chinese medicine it is believed the darker the marks, the more stagnation of qi and blood. Stagnation leads to pain and dysfunction or imbalance within tissues, so we want to clear that stuff out before it causes problems.
From a Western standpoint, cupping creates more space in between the tissue layers to get rid of dead cellular debris, excess fluids and toxins, and breaks up scar tissue. The marks are caused by this debris being pulled up and deposited under the skin; which is actually the most effective place for the lymphatic system to drain it away.
What Can Myofascial Cupping Therapy Treat?
- Tight and stiff muscles
- Sciatica, piriformis syndrome
- IT band pain
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Plantar fasciitis
- Respiratory conditions
- Asthma, bronchitis
Emotional balance:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Stress
- Migrains
- High blood pressure by calming the nervous system
- Cellulite
Benefits of Cupping Therapy!
- Stimulates whole body relaxation response (parasympathetic response)
- Stimulates oxygenation and detoxification of blood while promoting a feeling of lightness and relief of pressure
- Detoxifies metabolic debris in muscle tissue, fascia, and skin
- Increases range of motion, breaks up adhesions, and promotes healing in scar tissue and chronic injury sites
- Increases lymphatic drainage & promotes circulation
Cautions!
Caution for cup marks – may take a few days to a week to fade completely (Important to remember if you have a wedding or special event to attend)
Caution in keeping area covered from extreme changes in temperature (hot sauna or cold AC) directly after a treatment. In Chinese medicine cupping opens your pores, making you susceptible to catching a cold
Not used if you have thin or damaged skin, or if you are taking blood thinners