What is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy is an ancient treatment modality utilizing specialized cups on the skin to create suction.

Traditionally, glass cups are used along with fire to create pressure; more modern plastic and silicone cups rely on a physical vacuum-type system.

The concept of cupping therapy utilizes the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory of Qi energy within the body. Like Acupuncture, Cupping bases its application on the flow of Blood and Qi throughout the body.

Typically, when a person experiences tightness, tension, and pain in an area, the theory states it is due to stagnation or blockage of Blood and Qi energy within the area.

Stationary cups are placed on Acupuncture points to help increase Blood and Qi concentration within the affected area which triggers the body's innate healing response.

Dynamic or gliding cupping is where the cups are physically moved along the body. This active approach increases the movement of Blood and Qi energy throughout the area. The pressure from the cups helps to draw Blood and Qi to the affected area while the gliding of the cups assists with unblocking the stagnated area.

To visualize this, picture a backed-up toilet, sometimes pressing the plunger into the toilet is all it needs to get the water flowing again but more often than not, it requires several pumps to help jostle out the blockage; the pumping motion represents the gliding of the cup back and forth.

Additionally, cupping can be described as a “reverse” deep tissue massage; where a massage press into the body, and cupping pulls away from the body.

The negative pressure of the cups helps to relieve muscle tension, and loosens fascia and connective tissue tightness which helps to break up scar tissue; this action in turn decreases pain while increasing mobility and flexibility.

The increased Blood and Qi circulation also promote cell repair along with assisting with the formation of new connective tissues and blood vessels.

The most common side-effect of the application of the cups is the presence of a bruise-like mark that remains on the skin for about 2-7 days on average (each person is different; therefore, reacts differently to treatment).

For more information if Cupping is right for you please send me an email, text or simply, submit a massage.