Massage Cupping
Simply defined, cupping is a negative pressure massage by creating suction and negative pressure.
Massage cupping therapy is used to soften tight muscles, loosen adhesions (knots), and separate layers of connective tissue to bring hydration and blood flow to body tissues. Massage cupping bodywork is versatile and can easily be modified to accomplish a range of techniques, from facilitation of lymphatic drainage to deep-tissue myofacial release.
Massage Cupping is very relaxing, effective, and a time honored technique dating back thousands of years. Suction pulls toxins, pathogenic factors, blood poison, dead lymph and cellular debris from deep within tissues to the skin. These toxic agents are then more easily expelled from the body with the use of massage cupping.
The most common misunderstanding regarding the after-effects of massage cupping is the potential marks that result.
Where dead or static blood, lymph, cellular debris, pathogenic factors and toxins are present in the body, cupping can leave marks which indicate that the stagnation or disease has been moved from the deeper tissue layers to the surface, allowing fresh oxygenated blood to nourish and heal the underlying areas. Once people understand that these marks are therapeutic and feel the results, many concerns dissipate.
The color and pattern of the marks depend on the level of stagnation in the area, and range from a bright red to dark purple, usually lasting 1 up to 14 days - sometimes longer if the person is in a state of chronic congestion or lead a sedentary lifestyle. If there is no stagnation present, there will be only a light pink mark which disappears in a few minutes to a few 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 the marks will be visibly lighter and lighter as the pathogens are systemically removed from the body.
Usually, the greatest amount of deposits being drawn to the surface will occur in the first few treatments- this is a good thing. The marks will lessen in intensity as the deeper issues are resolved and stagnation and toxins are processed out of the body via the circulatory and lymphatic systems.
Although the marks look painful, they are not; Clients usually feel an immediate sense of relief.