Myofascia Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy is an ancient healing technique that has gained popularity recently for its many health benefits. The practice involves placing cups on the skin to create suction, helping to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and improve blood flow. In this blog, we'll cover everything you need to know about cupping therapy, including what it is, how it works, and who can benefit from it.

So...What is Cupping Therapy?

A generally painless treatment, the practice of cupping therapy has been employed as a form of alternative medicine over multiple cultures across the world for millennia. Ranging from the Middle East and Asia to Latin America and Europe. It involves placing cups on the skin, usually made of glass, bamboo, plastic or silicone, and removing oxygen from within the cup to create a vacuum effect. The Cups we use in salon are plastic. The suction promotes healing by increasing blood flow, reducing inflammation, and releasing muscle and fascia tension.

Different Types of Cupping Therapy

Depending on the condition, we can use the cups in different ways. This also comes into play with client specific comfort levels and preferance.

Satic Cupping

In this method, we apply a massage medium such as oil and then place a number of cups onto the body and allow them to stay for some time. You are monitored through the treatment and never left alone. The application method we use is through a pump. that draws the oxygen out of the cup to create the vaccum effect. These cups stay fixed in place during the treatment and aim at the release of local tissue. We may massage manually on other areas during the cupping, this often helps to distract from any uncomfortable sensations if you are senisitve to the cupping method. The concentration of the cups stays local, allowing the connective tissue to stretch fully. Local tension and pain are the symptoms to which this method applies. After the cups are removed they will often leave circular marks behind where stagnant blood has been lifted to the surface, these marks are a great indicator of where tension is held. The marks can last anwhere up to 20 days but 1-10 days is most likely.

Sliding Cupping

In this method, we apply the cups with slightly less vaccum so we are able to glide over the affected area, offering deep tissue massage. This enables us to lift both fascia and muscle tissue and with the negitive pressure created by the vaccum, work at a much deeper level then traditional manual massage. Once the cups are removed, they may leave red areas corresponding to the diameter behind them we refer to these as running marks as opposed to the circular marks seen more often in static cupping.

Wet Cupping

Wet cupping is a method in which specialists puncture the skin to draw blood before placing the cups. Usually, about three to five cups are common during the first session. Once the therapy finishes, antibiotic ointment and a bandage help prevent infection. The skin must return to normal within about ten days. We DO NOT offer Wet Cupping in the salon.

Flash Cupping

In this method, cups are applied and removed immediately, and the procedure repeats over a broad area. It helps stimulate local circulation. Flash Cupping can usually be tolerated by the most sensitve of clients, its a great first step into cupping if you find it at all uncomfortable. The cups stay for a short period to remove congestion and improve circulation. It is a much lighter, gentler form of cupping but the effects are less then static or running as we arent working as deep within the muscles.

Benefits of Cupping Therapy

The major benefits of cupping therapy are:

1. Fast and effective pain relief: Cupping therapy can provide fast and effective pain relief for individuals experiencing chronic pain, muscle tension, sports injuries, bulging disk, muscle spasm and arthritis. As a form of myofascial release (stertching of muscle and fascia), cupping can help to loosen tight muscles and increase circulation to the affected area.

2. Healthy skin: Cupping therapy can promote healthy skin by improving circulation and oxygenation to the skin's surface. Facial cupping promotes overall skin health (We dont currently offer facial cupping but.. watch this space ;) )

3. Relief from chronic fatigue: Cupping therapy can effectively address chronic fatigue by promoting relaxation and improving blood flow to the affected areas. As part of a comprehensive treatment plan, cupping therapy may help individuals experiencing chronic fatigue feel more energized and rejuvenated.

4. Fast healing: Cupping therapy can promote rapid healing by increasing blood and energy flow to the affected area. We can treat healed scar tissue reducing both inflamation and appearance using the cups to encouage your body to heal better and faster.

5. Relaxation: Cupping therapy can promote peace and reduce stress by helping to release muscle tension and promote a sense of well-being. We can use cupping therapy as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to promote relaxation and reduce stress in our clients.
   

How to prepare for Cupping Therapy

*Hydrate. Water is essential for your health, especially for your lymphatic system. Cupping supports your lymphatic system. Your lymphatic system clears away cellular waste from your body and it needs plenty of water to do this effectively.

*Eat an hour or so before your appointment.

*Don’t shave the area within four hours of your appointment. I really don’t mind stubble and your skin will thank you.

*Recover from sunburn. When you receive cupping, it will feel like that area is warmer than normal. Neither the cup nor the extra heat will feel good on sunburned skin. Apply some soothing aloe and wait until your skin has recovered before your next cupping appointment. If you turn up sunburnt I will turn you away and the cancellation policy will be enforced.

*Don’t exfoliate aggressively. Exfoliating removes a layer of dead skin, which makes your skin extra sensitive. Wait a couple days after aggressive exfoliation treatment before receiving cupping.

How Cupping Therapy is Performed

During a cupping therapy session, a massage medium is applied and we check for areas of tension within the muscles, this gives us an indication of where to apply the cups. The cups are placed on your skin, and suction is created using a hand pump checking at all times you are comfortable with the level of vacuum and positioning. During static cupping the cups are left in place for several minutes,we may move them around to target different areas of the body but usually they stay in that one area. Depending on the area we can proceed to use traditional massage on other areas whilst the cups are on, this often helps to distract from the sensation of the cups especially if you find them a little uncomfortable and also enables you to get the most from your appointment. After the cups are removed, the skin may be left with circular marks, typically fading within a few days, you may have seen pictures in the media of such marks on celebrities such as Micheal Phelps, Gwenth Paltrow etc if you havent then scroll to the bottom of the blog to see the types of marks you can expect. During sliding cupping we continuously move the cups over the muscle and use them to massage with, we may leave a cup statically in an area if you can tolerate it should we find an area of increased tension we think needs that deeper treatment, it is all based on your comfort levels. You may get running marks after this form of cupping again they are detailed at the end of the blog in picture form.

Cupping therapy contraindications

Cupping therapy is generally considered safe when performed by a qualified and trained practitioner, which we are. However, there are some circumstances where cupping therapy may not suit certain individuals. These contraindications include but are not limited to:

• Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, or dermatitis in the area to be treated

• Open wounds, cuts, or burns on the skin

• Blood clotting disorders or the use of blood-thinning medications

• Pregnancy or menstruation (cupping should not be performed on the lower back or abdomen during these times)

• Varicose veins or other vascular disorders

• Severe medical conditions such as cancer or organ failure

• Diabetes (levels will need to be tested after treatment and monitored by you)

• Steriod medications (skin is often more senitive so a reduced treatment is usually needed)

• Recent surgery (cannot treat that area, any scars that you want treating need to be healed, usually 6weeks after)

• Loss of sensation in the area to be treated

Your consulation form contains all the information we need to know as to wether you are suitable for the treatment and we can discuss any concerns you may have of your suitablity at the time of booking or via any of our means of contact before. Consulation forms are send out prior to every treatment and are a requirement of treatment.

What to Expect During a Cupping Therapy Session

During a cupping therapy session, you can expect to feel a sensation of suction or pressure on the skin, which can range from completely relaxing to mildly uncomfortable. The cups may be left in place for several minutes or moved around to target different areas of the body. After the session, you may experience temporary marks, which should fade within a few days, but can in extreme cases last 20days (happens incredibly rarely and is usaully because the client is highly reactive) Continue reading for a run down of what to expect after your treatment.

What to expect afterwards

During your treatment toxins are expelled from the tissues and the body systems are stimulated to eliminate waste more efficiently. Therefore please do not be alarmed if you experience some after effects – this is normal and a positive sign that your body is responding and starting to balance itself. Typical after effects can include:

• Headache, usually resolved by drinking plenty of water.

• Increased urination/bowel movements

• Increased thirst

• Stiffness in muscles

• Sleepiness/extreme fatigue

• Heightened emotional state

These after effects should resolve in the next 24-48 hours.

• Marking -circular marks where the cups have been applied are completely normal and will vary in colour, and can between 5-20days to disappear (20 days is excessive 1-10days is more normal but can happen on occasion if its your first time and you have very reactive skin)

To continue enjoying the treatment it is advisable to:

•Avoid hot showers, saunas, hot tubs and strong air conditioning

After cupping, your skin will be more sensitive to temperature in the areas where the cups were placed. Give your skin time to recover.

• Drink plenty of water to re-hydrate the body and help flush out the toxins that have been released

• Avoid stimulants such as alcohol & caffeine for at least 12 hours after the treatment as they can dehydrate the body. Cannot stress the no alcohol enough, your body is actively trying to flush toxins, if you give it more you will have the hangover of a lifetime! You’ve been warned lol

• Eat only small meals to help with the healing process (over the next 12 hrs) Eating a large meal will force your body to concentrate on digestion and not healing

• Avoid smoking for 24 hours as it will introduce toxins back into the body. Give up completely if you can, you don’t need me to tell you it’s not good for you ;)

• Avoid strenuous activity for the next 24 hrs

• Rest and relax to allow the body to heal and settle.

If you are ever worried about any effects you may experience following your cupping therapy, please contact us we will be happy to discuss your concerns. It is recommended to leave a week between treatments, in order to allow the body to fully relax, repair and for the marks to go down before re cupping.

So come explore the benefits with us...

Cupping therapy has gained popularity for its health benefits theres no doubt about that. It wouldn't continue to be used across so many cultures if it didnt work. Curently there is limited scientific research but studies have been carried out and its effectivness is documented in varoius research studies. Many people report experiencing pain relief, reduced inflammation, improved range in movment and total relaxation after treatment.

If you're interested in cupping therapy, contact us to discuss any concerns or medical conditions beforehand. While it may not suit everyone, cupping therapy can be a valuable treatment for managing chronic pain and improving overall health and well-being. So why not try it and see if it works for you?

Cupping Marks

Below are a few examples of completely normal marks after cupping. If you are ever concerned refer back to these images and reach out to us so we can put your mind at rest.

Running Cupping Marks..

The first picture is excessive marking and you'd be unlikely to experience such deep coloured marks with slidding cupping. The second picture is more common, these lines can still colour up in a similar way to static marks so dont be alarmed if they deepen in colour to more of a blue/black, they are nothing to be concerned about and are a natural occurance of the treatment.

Static Cupping Marks..

Below you'll see a range of marks in varying colour depth, you can expect to experience some of these after your treatment, we cannot tell you exactly how deep colour wise you'll mark as not only is every client different but so is each treatment, for eg you may experience deep marks at your first appointment but subsecquent treatments may yeld much lighter marks as your body heals itself. What ever the colour as you can witness yourself these marks are completely normal, if you have concerns please contact us and we can put your mind at ease.