WHAT IS CUPPING?

At Arbor Vitae, we use a contemporary approach to cupping.  These techniques are used to create the negative pressure to produce space in which blood can flow freely through the tissue. Cupping will also bring cellular debris to the surface of the skin allowing the cells to detox. Silicon cups or plastic cups are used depending on your goals. Most frequently silicon cups are at hand because they allow for the most versatility in cupping.

Dynamic Cupping – This technique allows the negative pressure to assist in separating the fascia (connective tissue) while a muscle group or joint is in motion. The cups are placed on specific muscle groups or joints, then the joint placed in full range of motion. Since the cups are malleable, they do not pop off as easily as the glass or plastic cups.

Massage Cupping – This technique allows the practitioner to slide the cups along various restricted areas to increase blood flow and free fascial restrictions. Often times the negative pressure of the cups confuses the body and allow for a release much faster than compressing the tissue with typical massage techniques.

Biomagnetic Cupping – This technique uses plastic cups with magnets. The cups and their magnets are stagnantly located across the back. A magnet is then gently tapped at the bottom of the feet. The use of the magnets in this manner will bring order to the ions in each and every cell in the body. This technique is used to either calm, or revitalize you.

WHY DO I LOOK BRUISED?

One of the common and unfortunate misconceptions concerning cupping is the misinterpretation of the discoloration. “Bruising” is caused by impact trauma with breakage of capillaries and reactionary rush of fluids to the damaged area from the tissue compression/injury. There is no compression in properly employed suction cup therapy. Although it is quite common during Stationary Cupping (left static for 5 – 20 minutes) to achieve dramatic ‘marks’ or ‘discolourations’, the less aggressive action of moving the cups, minimizes the intensity and duration of the discolorations.

The vacuum formed by Cupping draws up the old non-circulating stagnant blood and sticky fluids from the area, bringing them up to the surface so that healthy free circulation can be restored to the area, thus creating space for oxygen, living cells and nutrients for faster recovery.

Where there is dead, static blood, lymph, cellular debris, pathogenic factors, and toxins present in the body, Cupping can leave marks which indicates that the stagnation or disease has been moved from the deeper tissue layers to the surface.

The color and pattern of the marks depend on the level of stagnation in the area, and range from a bright red to dark purple, usually lasting 3 days to a week – sometimes longer. If there is no stagnation present, there will be only a pink marking which disappears in a few minutes to a couple of hours.

Sites where there is old trauma or injury may require multiple Cupping treatments to remove all stagnation. You will find in follow up treatments the marks will be progressively lighter as the pathogens are systemically removed from the body.

HOW DOES CUPPING BENEFIT ME?

Cumulative Cupping treatments increase muscle endurance, circulation, lung capacity, lymphatic drainage and health maintenance during strenous activities. Many professional athletes incorporate it into their training to enhance their overall performance, agility and ability to recover from their sports.

Even if you are not an athlete, cupping provides many benefits. Some of these benefits include:

– Deep tissue work and release with little discomfort

– Helps to relieve inflammation

– Stretches muscles and connective tissue

– Loosens adhesions

– Strengthens the immune system by promoting the flow of lymphatic fluid

– Helps to balance PH levels

If you would like to learn more about cupping please go to www.cuppingtherapy.org