#Cupping is wonderful technique that can improve your health and provide numerous benefits.
One way to think about cupping is that it is the inverse of #massage. Rather than applying pressure or compression to muscles, the suction uses pressure to pull skin, tissue and muscles upward. I often combine cupping with #chiropractic in one treatment, but it can also be used alone.
Cupping was developed thousands of years ago and though the techniques have modernized, the original philosophy remains the same.
Cupping involves placing glass, bamboo or plastic cups on the skin and creating a vacuum by suctioning out the air. The underlying tissue is raised, or sucked, partway into the cup. The purpose of cupping is to increase circulation to the muscles and also release toxins that linger in your body's tissues.
You usually will feel a tight sensation in the area of the cup. Often, this sensation is relaxing and soothing. Depending on your comfort and your practitioner's assessment of the problem, cups may be moved around or left in place. They may remain on your body briefly or for longer amounts of time. Each treatment varies based on your presentation on that particular day.
Cupping causes the skin to temporarily turn red, sometimes blue or purple, especially if there is an injury under the area that was cupped. The skin discoloration can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, but is rarely painful. Once the marks have cleared, the procedure can be repeated until the condition or ailment is resolved.
There are a number of methods of cupping — the two most common here in the U.S. are "fixed cupping" and "moving cupping."
Fixed Cupping:
The cups are placed on a selected area of your body and then left in place without being moved.
Moving Cupping:
As the name implies, in this method your practitioner applies massage oil or cream on your skin in selected places, puts the cups over the areas to be treated and then slides them around that region of the body — most commonly the back. The cups slide easily because the cream has lubricated your body.
You ought to consider exploring the benefits of cupping if you seek relief from #stress, #pain, #fatigue, #backpain, #muscle aches, or #stiffness and decreased range of motion.
Cupping has numerous benefits — it can help remove toxins from the body and stimulate the flow of fresh blood and lymph to the affected area and throughout the body. It often works wonders for patients with back and muscle pain, aches and myriad other pains.
Cupping therapy was recommended by Hippocrates, the man whom many consider to be the "Father of Modern Medicine," in his guide to clinical treatment.
It should be noted that cupping is not be used on patients who bleed easily and/or cannot stop bleeding, have skin ulcers, or edema. It is unwise to cup over large blood vessels as well. Pregnant women should be cupped with extreme caution and never on their abdomen or lower back.
To be cautious I generally practice a less intense treatment the first time, and then see how the patient reacts before implementing longer amounts of time and more suction.
To find out if you are a candidate for cupping therapy can benefit you, call 631-647-8324 to schedule a consultation.