What is Massage Cupping?

Massage cupping is a form of therapeutic bodywork that is used to facilitate deep tissue release and aid in bringing about numerous healthful benefits to the body, such as:

 Enhanced flexibility,

Lymphatic/blood circulation,

 Tissue nourishment, &

 Body detoxification.

  How is the Technique Performed?

Massage cupping is performed by applying ‘reverse pressure’ to the body, via glass or plastic suction cups that are generally placed or massaged along problem areas, in the direction of natural lymphatic flow. 

• Suction cups may be magnetic or non-magnetic, with positive & negative poles, to help enhance the tissue-healing process. 
• Sessions are typically 10-20 minutes in length, and can be integrated with traditional massage therapies.

Goals & Benefits

• The technique namely focuses on reducing stagnation &restrictions in problem areas, by breaking down adhesions/knots, and by helping to increase fluid (i.e., blood & lymph) circulation.
• Massage cupping helps to reduce the build-up of cellular waste, toxins, inflammation, & excess fluids by assisting in dragging them from deep within muscles/soft tissue, to the body’s surface, where they can be more efficiently disposed of, via the lymphatic system.
• More specifically, the massage cupping technique assists in …

 Clearing stagnation

Relieving inflammation

Draining/Moving fluids

Sedating the nervous system

Expelling congestion

Stretching muscle & connective tissues

Loosening adhesions & scar tissue

Nourishing blood supply to the skin

Indications for Massage Cupping:

 Massage Cupping is reported to be beneficial for numerous conditions, such as….

 Fibromyalgia

Tissue & joint inflammation

Sluggish colon

Stagnant lymph & edema

Poor circulation

Sciatica

Sluggish, devitalized skin

Lung inflammation

Insomnia

General anxiety

Contraindications

• Massage cupping is not to be used with excessive exfoliation.
• Clients must avoid exposure to excessive heat (shower, sauna, etc.), cold, or exercise after cupping sessions (for at least 4-6 hours)
• Clients should drink sufficient amounts of water subsequent to cupping sessions.
• Massage cupping should not be used on clients with:

Pace makers or

Electrical implants,

Low Blood Pressure

Energy Depletion (Exhaustion), or Clients who are Pregnant

• Cupping must also be used with caution on children, the elderly, diabetics, and persons with varicose veins.

 

What Is Neuromuscular Therapy?

 By definition, Neuromuscular Therapy is the utilization of static pressure on specific myofascial points to relieve pain. This technique manipulates the soft tissue of the body (muscles, tendons and connective tissue) to balance the central nervous system. In a healthy individual, nerves transmit impulses (which are responsible for every movement, function and thought) to the body very slowly. Injury, trauma, postural distortion or stress cause nerves to speed up their transmission, inhibiting equilibrium and making the body vulnerable to pain and dysfunction. It is therefore necessary to stabilize low levels of neurological activity to maintain normal function and overall health.

Neuromuscular Therapy will be used to address five elements that cause pain:

• Ischemia: Lack of blood supply to soft tissues which causes hypersensitivity to touch
  
• Trigger Points: Highly irritated points in muscles which refer pain to other parts of the body
  
• Nerve Compression or Entrapment: Pressure on a nerve by soft tissue, cartilage or bone
  
• Postural Distortion: Imbalance of the muscular system resulting from the movement of the body off the longitudinal and horizontal planes
  
• Biomechanical Dysfunction: Imbalance of the musculoskeletal system resulting in faulty movement patterns (i.e., poor lifting habits, bad mechanics in a golf swing of tennis stroke, computer keyboarding)