More about cupping
Benefits of Cupping
1. Improvement of circulatory function
2. Regulating & betterment of automatic nervous system
3. Removal of pain
4. Relaxation of stiff muscles & tendons
5. Facilitates the flow of the lymph
6. Improves the flow of Blood within the joints
7. Improves the secretion of the Digestive fluids
8. The most dramatic effect is upon the skin & the body fluid flow in the arteries & veins increases, Thus resulting into detoxification.
9. It helps open up the chest & benefits the lungs therefore useful in respiratory problems.
History of Cupping
- Cupping developed over time from the original use of hollowed animal horns to drain toxins out of snakebites and skin lesions. Horns evolved into bamboo cups, which were eventually replaced by glass. Therapeutic applications evolved with the refinement of the cup itself, and with the cultures that employed cupping as a health care technique. The true origin of cupping therapy remains in obscurity.
- The Chinese expanded the utilization to include use in surgery to divert blood flow from the surgery site. Cupping eventually developed into a separate therapy, with healers treating a variety of conditions. Early written records date from 28 AD, and a traditional Chinese saying indicates "acupuncture and cupping, more than half the ills cured". Chinese medicine observes that cupping dispels stagnation of Blood and Chi, along with external pathogenic factors that invade a weakened constitution. A depleted constitution is often a result of depleted "Jing Chi", or original essence. This will usually progress to a weakened "Wei Chi", or defense (immune system).
- The Egyptians produced a text on ancient medicine that discussed the use of cupping for conditions such as fever, pain, vertigo, menstruation imbalances, weakened appetite and accelerating the "healing crisis" of disease. From the Egyptians, cupping was introduced to the Greeks and eventually spread to ancient cultures in many countries of Europe and even the Americas. In recent history, European and American doctors widely used cupping in practice into the late 1800's. Research papers were written in the 19th century, and a collaborative effort between the former Soviet Union and China confirmed the clinical efficacy of cupping therapy. It became an official therapy to be found in all Chinese hospitals. Breast cupping became common for inflamed breasts and lactation dysfunctions. The familiar breast pump emerged from this. The 20th century brought about a decline in interest as technology and machines came into use. New cupping sets were introduced using pumps to create the vacuum, and these sets were carried by medical supply companies well into the 1940's.
What to Do After Massage Cupping
- The most common misunderstanding regarding after effects of cupping, is the marks that sometimes result. When injuries occur deep in the muscle, bleeding often occurs causing what looks like deep bruises.
- The vacuum formed by Cupping draws up the old non-circulating stagnant blood and sticky fluids from the area, bringing them up to the surface and away from the injury so that healthy free circulation can be restored to the affected area, thus making space for oxygen, living cells and nutrients for faster recovery. Where there is dead, static blood, lymph, cellular debris, pathogenic factors, and toxins present in the body, Cupping can leave marks which indicates that the stagnation or disease has been moved from the deeper tissue layers to the surface, where it can be flushed out easier.
- After your massage cupping treatment, it is not uncommon to experience sore skin and what looks like bruising. This is both an expected and wanted effect of the session. The color and pattern of the marks depend on the level of stagnation in the area. If marks do appear, they can range from a bright red to dark purple, usually lasting 3 days to a week - sometimes longer if the person is very sick or sedentary.
- While the marks look painful, they aren't. If there is no stagnation present, there will be only a light pink mark which disappears in a few minutes to a couple of hours. Sites where there is old trauma or injury may require multiple cupping treatments to remove all stagnation. You will find in follow up treatments that the marks will be visibly lighter as the pathogens are systemically removed from the body.
- Remember to drink plenty of water following your treatment to help flush the toxins lifted from the muscles.
- Avoid the following for 24 hours after your session:
- Excessive or heavy exercise
- Hot Tub
- Sauna
- Steam Room
- Hot Bath/Shower
- Sunbathing
- Heavy Meals
Soma Cupping
The use of cupping is an integral part of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and brings a real optimization in the drainage tissues . Massage Cupping™ performs a synergy combining massage techniques and the use of suction cups. Massage Cupping™ optimizes all types of massage including encouraging deep drainage of the connective tissue , fascia , draining lymph and other body fluids. Massage Cupping™ provides considerable assistance taking care of chronic pain and all forms of overload ( cellulite, adhesions … ) .
- Massage Cupping : The use of moving cups, using the technique of massage cupping, achieves synergy between massage and cupping, optimizes all types of massage including; encouraging deep drainage of the connective tissue, fascia, lymph and other body fluids. Massage cupping is particularly interesting for cellulite problems, chronic pain and scarring.
What is Massage Cupping & Neuromuscular Therapy?
Massage cupping is a form of therapeutic bodywork that is used to facilitate deep tissue release and aid in bringing about numerous healthful benefits to the body, such as:
- Enhanced flexibility,
- Lymphatic/blood circulation,
- Tissue nourishment, &
- Body detoxification.
How is the Technique Performed?
- Massage cupping is performed by applying ‘reverse pressure’ to the body, via glass or plastic suction cups that are generally placed or massaged along problem areas, in the direction of natural lymphatic flow.
- Suction cups may be magnetic or non-magnetic, with positive & negative poles, to help enhance the tissue-healing process.
- Sessions are typically 10-20 minutes in length, and can be integrated with traditional massage therapies.