Massage Cupping

Massage Cupping; Adapting the Traditional Chinese Medicinal Method to Benefit You

The most prevalent use of cupping therapy has been in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The techniques used in TCM have now been adapted for other health care modalities including massage and chiropractic therapy. One of the earliest documentations of cupping can be found in a work entitled “A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies,” which was written by a Taoist herbalist by the name of Ge Hong and which dates back to 300 AD. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, stationary glass cups are placed on the skin over meridian points and left for a period of five to fifteen minutes. The goal of Chinese cupping therapy is to move stagnation of blood and chi, and to disperse internal heat.

Massage Cupping has taken the basic principles of stationary cupping used in TCM and incorporated movement. Lubricant is applied to the skin and silicone cups are used in smooth, gliding movements over the treatment area.

Both stationary and gliding cups create suction and a negative pressure that is considered to be one of the best deep tissue therapies available. The technique is thought to affect tissues up to four inches deep from the skin and is used to soften tight muscles, loosen adhesions and lift connective tissue, bring hydration and blood flow to body tissues, and draining excess fluids and toxins by opening lymphatic pathways. It could be said that cupping is the inverse of massage. Instead of applying pressure to muscles, the suction in the cups uses gentle pressure to pull upwards on the skin and superficial muscle layer.

Massage Cupping has been shown to provide relief from respiratory conditions including asthma, migraine headaches, ITB syndrome, colon disorders, edema, fibromyalgia, sports injuries, and nervous tension. Massage Cupping is also a highly effective treatment in reducing cellulite.

If you would like to know more about Massage Cupping, please contact Body Harmonics Massage to attend one of our free seminars where Massage Cupping will be discussed in greater detail and a demonstration of the technique will be given.

Body Harmonics Massage currently offers Massage Cupping for Cellulite, Massage Cupping for Athletic Performance and for Respiratory Enhancement.

You can contact us at 732.645.6726