Cupping

What is Cupping Therapy?

As the name suggests, Cupping Therapy uses a combination of negative pressure and massage movements with the use of a suction device. Cupping therapy is a Negative Pressure technique that is used to achieve a wide range of responses, ranging from extreme relaxation to therapeutic.

A cup is positioned at the area to be treated and, depending on the type of cups being used, a vacuum is created within the cup to draw the underlying tissue into the cup. The suction level can range from light to heavy, and the movements performed by the therapist can be either stimulating or sedating, depending on the needs of the client. The produced vacuum creates a suction effect that increases blood circulation to the local area, relaxes muscle tissue and releases a myriad pain causing factors.

Cupping Therapy softens tight muscles, tones attachments, loosens adhesions and lifts connective tissue by creating suction and negative pressure. This same suction also brings hydration and blood flow to body tissues, and drains excess fluids and toxins by opening lymphatic pathways (a vital part of the immune system). Cupping therapy is very versatile and can be modified to achieve a variety of techniques ranging from subtle lymphatic drainage to deep tissue release.

Various people have employed the use of negative pressure throughout history. Cupping traces back further than 5,000 BC and its true origin remains obscure. Cupping was originally used to dredge toxic blood from the body and to pull venom from bites. The observation that cupping can move fluids in the body has enhanced modern healthcare tremendously. Cupping Therapy Massage has finally become accepted in the U.S. so you can add cupping to any acupuncture, deep tissue, swedish or hot stone treatment to enhance and accelerate treatment.