Based on the ancient technique of cupping therapy used extensively in Chinese medicine for thousands of years, massage cupping therapy is a wonderful variation that combines massage movements and negative pressure via a suction device placed on the skin to magnify the benefits of massage. Cupping massage is safely used on children, adults, and older.
What does cupping feel like?
A cup is positioned on the area to be treated creating a vacuum that draws the skin and underlying tissue into the cup increasing blood and lymphatic circulation systemically and to the local area. The suction can range from light to heavy. Cupping massage sedates the nervous system, inducing deep relaxation. It is versatile and can easily be modified to accomplish a range of techniques, from lymphatic drainage to deep tissue release.
Cupping pulls stagnation, pathogenic factors, and toxins out of the body. It also loosens adhesions, lifts connective tissue, relaxes tight muscles, decreases pain, stimulates the peripheral nervous system, and promotes the circulation of freshly oxygenated nutrient rich blood and lymph.
This treatment complements many health modalities ranging from spa treatments to medical massage and physical therapy.
Benefits of Cupping Therapy:
- Magnifies deep tissue work and release
- Moves stagnation and drains fluids
- Relieves Inflammation
- Sedation of the nervous system
- Breaks up and expels congestion
- Stretches muscle and connective tissues
- Soothes musculo-skeletal problems: pain, spasms, cramps, tightness, numbness, stiffness of the back and neck
- Loosens adhesions
- Increases blood supply to the skin
- Treats muscle and joint pain and stiffness
- Alleviates arthritis
- Treats intercostal neuralgia
- Calms intestinal disorders
- Reduces the pain of sciatica
- Strengthens the immune system by promoting the flow of lymphatic fluid
- Cleans the blood and lymph and helps to balance PH levels
- Dispels colds and respiratory infections
- Remedies headaches
- Shrinks abscesses
- Relieves bronchial asthma & congestion
- Addresses gynecological disorders
- Heals kidney disorders (including frequent/urgent urination)
- Mitigates symptoms of fibromyalgia & chronic fatigue syndrome
- Allays anxiety & insomnia
- Heals post-injury trauma
- Releases post-surgery adhesions
- Decreases cellulite
- Clams chronic gastric pain
- Activates the skin, reduces stretch marks and wrinkles
A Note on the Marks Left by Cupping Massage
The rings that are commonly left after a treatment are the desired result; these marks are NOT bruises. Bruising is caused by blunt force trauma and the breaking of capillaries. Massage Cupping does neither of these things. Bruises also spread, where as the marks received from a Massage Cupping session will stay in a perfect circle, further proving that no bruising has occurred. These marks will fade as toxins and blood pulled from deep within the muscles are flushed out of the system, on average between one to four days. Usually a mark will not re-occur in the same spot.
What other treatments should I consider for healing?
- Abdominal Massage
- Orthopedic Massage
- Intraoral Massage
- Craniosacral Therapy
- Manual Lymphatic Drainage
We look forward to being part of your Wellness Team! Schedule Your Cupping Massage in Seattle HERE
