Massage Cupping is a type of therapy that uses glass or plastic cups and a vacuum pistol to create suction on the body’s surface being treated. Massage oil or cream is used to bond the suction and create a smooth glide on skin. This technique is used to lift and stretch soft tissue. It promotes healing by loosening connective tissue, adhesions and scaring. This technique also improves circulation to the treated area.
There is a difference between Massage Cupping and Traditional Chinese cupping. In Massage cupping, the cups are placed on the treatment area for 1-3 minutes. Types of techniques used are gliding of the cup along muscle fibers. This mimics effleurage. Scooping which mimics cross fiber frictioning, Shaking the cup and twisting the cup, effective for scars and deep tissue release.This treatment is used to facilitate soft tissue release.
In traditional Chinese cupping, cups are placed on the skin and left for a period of time up to 15 minutes; cups may be moved over the area being treated. In Chinese Cupping the goal is to move stagnation of blood, dispense internal heat and other applications based on Chinese Medicine Diagnostics. Traditional cupping has been used by many cultures dating back to 28 A.D.
I have had great results with massage cupping and use it as another tool in my private massage practice. I find cupping works well on IT bands, scar tissue and improves range of motion.
If you have never had cupping performed as part of your massage, give me a call. You don’t know what you have been missing!
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or call the office at 508-655-9008 to schedule your next massage