Cupping Massage
Cupping Massage
Cupping Massage brings the ancient art of cupping to the modern-day massage therapy practice. This modality allows for a unique approach to the fascia and body fluids.
Cupping has an ability to affect deeper tissues, remove fascial restrictions and increase the range of motion.
How does Cupping work?
Cupping is a technique whereby a vacuum is created in a cup, drawing the skin up into the cup and separating the layers of superficial fascia.
The suction draws the blood to the level of the skin creating a negative pressure below the skin.
Side Effect to Cupping
Clients may be left with a circular ecchymosis (blood between the skin layers caused by seepage of blood from the vessels).
- The cupping mark is not a bruise or contusion
- Cupping marks are thought to be caused by the release of dead static blood, lymph, cellular debris, pathogens and toxins to the surface of the skin
- Cupping marks are not painful and range in intensity from no mark at all to dark purple
- Marks will last from 1-8 days
- Occasionally cupping will produce blisters, these can be due to superficial dampness (edema), pathological conditions or in some instances from leaving the cup on too long (more than 20 min)
Skin
- Stimulates hair roots, brings fresh blood to the surface
- Increases the temperature of the skin via blood circulation and neovascularization (drawing blood to the skins surface)
- Increases the function of sebaceous and sweat glands allowing the skin to "breathe"
Soft Tissues
- Cupping increased the extracellular fluids and ground substance between the layers of fascia
- Clients will usually feel an immediate increase in range of motion relative to fascial restrictions
- Cupping in the superficial fascia has a 'trickle down' effect on the deeper tissues and organs
Muscles
- Decrease hypertonicity in muscles
Adhesions and Scars
- Responds well to cupping - cupping mechanically separates the tissue layers, it also draws fluid into the adhesion allowing for more mobility and softening of the fibrin network
Joints
- Cupping is effective for chronic joint problems
Spine and Ribs
- Cupping provides extensive movements of fluid through and around spinal joints
- The movement of fresh blood into the fascially restricted areas increase the interstitial fluid and helps to decompress the spinal joints
- The strong suction action helps to separate the fascia and muscle layers between the ribs, while not compressing them.