Cupping Therapy
Cupping has been used throughout the world for thousands of years. This ancient traditional therapy has been mentioned as early as the ancient Egyptian period in a papyrus. It is a technique in many traditional Asian medicinal systems. It was also promoted by ancient physicians, such as Hippocrates, for various conditions.
Suction cupping involves using cups (glass, plastic or silicone) to create suction on the skin, and using a pump or a hand-held suction device creates suction on the skin. This differs from fire cupping, which uses a flame to create a vacuum inside the cup.
Today, cupping therapy is generally found as a traditional Chinese medicine treatment. Practitioners
believe the suction helps to facilitate the flow of “qi” (life force) in the body. Balance yin and yang and its ability to increase blood flow and reduce pain.
Cupping increases blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed. This may relieve muscle tension, improving overall blood flow and promoting cell repair. It may also help form new connective tissues and create new blood vessels in the tissue.
Static Cupping vs. Gliding Cupping
As the name implies, static cupping means cups; after suction, it will be fixed in an area for no longer than 10 minutes.
Gliding cupping moves cups along the muscle tissue like doing a massage. The difference is that massage uses pressure (pressing down), while glide cupping uses negative pressure (pulling up).
Unlike static cupping, intermittent suction and release has been said to have more significant effects of stimulating subcutaneous nerves, speeding up the process of relaxing muscle tightness and reducing pain and soreness. For this reason, gliding cupping can be used as part of a relaxation massage.
Potential benefits of cupping include:
Reduced pain and inflammation
Improved pain threshold
Increased range of movement (ROM)
Increased blow flow
Remove toxins from the body
Improved muscular tightness
Stimulate the peripheral nervous system
Encourage whole-body comfort and relaxation
Reduce stress and anxiety
Improved appearance and health of the skin - due to increased blood flow and promoting lymphatic drainage
Potentially reduce the appearance of cellulite
Cupping therapy may help with conditions such as:
Lower back pain
Neck and shoulder pain
Knee pain
Headache and migraine
Coughs
Brachiaalgia (arm pain), produced by a trapped nerve
Carpel tunnel
More quality research is required to confirm the extent of the effects of cupping. However, research supports that alternative therapies positively affect clients/ athletes, even if some of these effects are a "placebo effect."
Cupping Treatment
We offer cupping as an additional technique with sports or relaxation massage treatments.
Your treatment is individualised; therefore, static and/ or gliding cupping will be discussed depending on your treatment and your specific requirements. Cupping, if appropriate, will be used alongside massage techniques with the ultimate aim of enhancing overall well-being.
Please note:
Static cupping therapy can leave bruise-like marks post-treatment. This is normal and will fade within 14 days or earlier, depending on the depth of colour.