What is Cupping Massage?
Cupping Massage is derived from the ancient Traditional Chinese Medicinal practice of Cupping. Silicone Cups are gently attached to the body, creating a negative pressure or "suction". The cups can be left in place for a few minutes at at time to increase circulation and healing to a specific area, or can be glided over tight muscle groups to help facilitated a deep tissue release, increase lymphatic flow, or break up muscle adhesions, scar tissue, and even cellulite!
How Does it Work?
Increase Circulation - The blood and the lymph work together to rid the body of toxins and deliver healing and nutrients to soft tissue. Using the cups during a massage can help to bring more blood and circulation to the superficial layers of the muscle and the skin, releasing stagnation in the body.
-Increased lymphatic flow - The Lymphatic System is responsible for removing waste and excess fluids from the cells. It also produces disease- fighting lymphocytes (white blood cells). These antibodies are essential to our immune defense. Manually increasing lymphatic flow with massage (or moving cupping) can help our lymphatic system work more efficiently. To increase lymphatic flow, the cups will be lightly suctioned to the skin and briskly glided, using oil.
-Assist in Deep Tissue release -The negative pressure of the cups offer the same benefits as deep tissue massage and can also help free muscle adhesions. Muscle adhesions can cause pain and discomfort and sometimes drastically limit range of motion and mobility.
- Eliminate Cellulite: Fascia adhesions are the main cause of cellulite. The negative pressure of the cups bring blood to the superficial layers of the muscle and fascia, helping to break up the adhesions. Freeing these restrictions can help reduce and possibly eliminate cellulite.
What To Expect During and After Cupping
During the treatment you will feel the cups suctioned to your skin. This feels very similar to the usual finger pressure used during massage. Just like in a massage session, the client should never be in "pain" during the treatment, this requires communication of any discomforts during the session. The area often time begins to feel warm due to the increased circulation.
After the session there is often times a discoloration similar to bruising. Unlike bruising, however, they are unlikely to be sensitive to the touch. These marks usually appear darkest after the first application and typically fade within a few days. Some marks may stay visible for up to 10 days. The area can sometimes feel warm and slightly itchy after the session. This is a result of increased lymphatic flow and circulation and release of stagnation.
Feeling light headed or thirsty after a session is also possible. As with massage, the release of toxins and increased metabolism can leave us feeling a little light headed. It is extremely important to stay hydrated both before and after any body work or massage treatment to assist your body in flushing toxins.