Healing Energy & Body Works
Sakura the Massage Geek, Huntington Beach, CA

Cupping Therapy

Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy became exceedingly popular after the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics as Michael Phelps and other athletes competed with dark cupping marks.  But it is not the only way to use cups. It is a very versatile modality.  It is our belief that there is no need to make dark cupping marks to achieve most of the goals. Cupping therapy is not only effective, but also extremely versatile.  It can induce deep relaxation by working on the autonomic nervous system, improve blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, soften hard "knots" or accumulated scar tissues, reduce stubborn tightness & pain. It can also help reduce edema and inflammation, reduce joint pain, improve joint range of motion, among other things. 

We utilize a variety of techniques during cupping, such as stationary cupping, suction & release, flash cupping, cupping massage, dynamic cupping, MediCupping,etc.  We have many different kinds of cupping cups (such as Baguanfa, Kangzhu, magnetic, silicon, facial, machine), and we select the right combination of techniques and cup types depending on our intention & focus of the session, the location of the treatment and the condition of the target tissue.  Some techniques involve strong suction by their own nature and other techniques may require your active participation, while you will stay passive with many of the techniques.  Still other techniques (such as facial cupping) are so sedating due to light suction with soothing vibration that clients seem inevitably go to the la-la-land.   

 

Cupping therapy
Cupping uses the negative pressure to encourage blood flow and lymph flow, to hydrate tissue by inducing plasma to flood the surrounding areas of blood capillaries, to sedate local nerves, to engage the endocrine system to release anti-stress hormones into the blood stream, and to down-regulate the sympathetic nervous system, thus balancing the autonomic nervous system .  The pulling sensation creates an amusing combination of stimulation and sedation.  It feels good to have the chronically tight & "knotted" muscles pulled and stretched out.  Our therapy may be conducted (if our client so desires) in such a way that much can be achieved without leaving dark purple marks on client's skin, for which cupping is traditionally known.  Of course, we offer stationary cupping to those who wish to receive traditional cupping techniques.  We use a variety of cupping cups including, facial cupping cups, magnetic cups, plastic cups, glass cups, silicone cups, and the VacuTherapy machine.  More about cupping therapy, click links here: International Cupping Therapy Association and MassageCupping.com.

This article by one of my teachers, Anita Shannon of AceCupping explains the benefits of cupping therapy in a massage session (Massage Magazine June 29, 2017, "This is why you should incorporate Vacuum Manual Therapy"

 

Applications of cupping therapy

 
Athletic performance enhancement Lymph drainage Detoxification – movement of stagnation
Releasing tight and contracted muscle tissue Preoperative and postoperative therapy to shorten recovery time Skin toning and firming
Joint mobilization Enhancing the results of surgical procedures Contouring the face & body
Pain reduction Scar reduction Cellulite reduction

Assisting with weight loss programs









 


Conditions that respond to cupping therapy

Chronic Pain Sciatica Fibromyalgia
Arthritis Bursitis Neuralgia
Muscular Aches Scars & Adhesions Preoperative & Postoperative Conditions
Tension Headaches Migraine, Sinusitis TMJ Dysfunction
Scoliosis Plantar Fasciitis Athletic Stress & Injury
Lung Inflammation & Congestion Asthma & Pneumonia  
Stagnant Lymph, Edema Poor Circulation Toxicity
Insomnia & Anxiety Tendonitis Cellulite

 

   
     




 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cupping Therapy Benefits by location

1. Application for the Face

Gentle suction across the skin along the lymph flow mimics the pumping movements of lymphatic drainage.
The benefits include increased local circulation to the skin, bringing nutrition to the surface, stimulating natural elasticity, and enhanced assimilation of ampoules, masks, and serums. Vacuum therapy on the face is remarkable for relieving sinus congestion, and for draining stagnant fluids to ease puffiness. Quite frequently, eyebrows will lift back up to the brow line! The muscles of the face benefit greatly from reduced tension and tightness, easing expression lines and loosening rigid muscles associated with TMJ disorders. Lines, wrinkles, and scar tissue will soften with ACE Massage Cupping™. Rosaceous or congested skin can quickly clear. This is the perfect preparation and recovery protocol for any facial surgeries. (Source: Ace Massage Cupping MediCupping website at https://massagecupping.com/applications/)

 

2. Application on the Body

ACE Massage Cupping™ therapy for body treatments has yielded amazing results when combined with a simple Aromatherapy Cocoon for weight reduction, stopping smoking, and more. Adding VacuTherapies™ into a body treatment not only enhances absorption of applied products, but assists in the drainage of stagnant fluids. While it is not recommended to combine ACE Massage Cupping™ with aggressive exfoliation treatments, it is easily integrated into most body treatment procedures.  The wide range of equipment and machines that are now available allows for a variety of applications and benefits. (Source: Ace Massage Cupping MediCupping website at https://massagecupping.com/applications/)

3. Magnetic Cups

Micro-cups and magnetic micro-cups allow for ACE Massage Cupping™ therapy to be used for injuries and pain management, neuropathy, scar reduction, joint issues, and scoliosis. Reflexology treatments for the hands, feet, and face are easily enhanced with micro-cup magnets. They can also be used with knowledge of trigger points, neuro-lymphatic points and shiatsu tsubos. These powerful tools are used to shift the PH of tissue, enabling the release of old debris, and enhance blood and lymphatic flow. Another age-old tool with modern applications and exciting results! (Source: Ace Massage Cupping MediCupping website at https://massagecupping.com/applications/)


                         

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