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Cupping Therapy

Massage | Beauty | Soy Candles

Qualified Remedial Massuer and Beauty Therapist

Cupping Therapy

Cupping is useful for relieving muscular tension, stress, headaches and so much more.

Information: Removes blockages from tight muscles

Time/Amount: 45 - 90 minutes

What is Cupping Therapy?

Cupping is an ancient method that has Oriental origins, with the earliest of records from 1500 B.C. by the Egyptians, and around 1000 B.C by the Chinese. What is it exactly? Well, it’s a suction technique designed to pull toxin build-up and muscle spasm from the deeper layers of the tissue to the surface. Usually where there is pain in the body, congestion and stagnation of blood flow can also be found, thus blocking the blood and nutrients from flowing freely though out the body.

An old Chinese medicine saying is “Where there’s stagnation, there will be pain. Remove the stagnation, and you will remove the pain.” The suction applied by cupping sucks out and breaks up that stagnation, therefore aiding fresh blood and nutrients and oxygen to reach the affected tissue.  Removing these blockages also helps regulate your nervous and lymphatic systems.

Cupping causes the skin to temporarily turn red, blue or purple. It is important to understand that these marks are NOT bruises but an indication of stagnation and congestion that was brought up to the surface. These marks can last anywhere form a few days to a couple of weeks.

What are the Benefits of Cupping?

– relieves pain (particularly back and neck pain) and stiff muscles
– promotes relaxation and eases anxiety
– can relieve cold, cough and allergy symptoms
– detoxifies
– helps injuries to heal faster
– improves skin conditions and helps with cellulite
– can help with digestive disorders and constipation
– treats carpel tunnel syndrome

My Cupping Technique

In my treatments, I only work with static or stationary cupping and sliding cupping.  I use silicon cups which do not require a flame or pump to generate suction, and can be adjusted more easily than glass or plastic cups.

Static cupping uses light, medium or strong pressure depending on the area. These cups are placed on certain areas of your body then left in place without moving. Depending on a few things, they can be left there for up to 20 minutes at a time.

The other method I use is sliding cupping. I really love having this done as I find it incredibly relaxing and I can feel the the tension in the  tissues being gently stretched out. This is also very relaxing! The cups are applied on oiled skin and the cups are moved over the areas being treated.

Following a cupping treatment it is recommended to rest for up to half an hour and avoid any exercise. Avoid food or alcohol ideally for 2 hours and increased water intake is a must to help flush out toxins.

When is cupping not appropriate?

Treatment is avoided on clients who are pregnant or are on anti-coagulant medications  e.g warfarin or medical aspirin.  Over areas of sunburn,  fresh surgical scars or hernia.  Any one with Haemorrhagic diseases such as leukaemia or haemophilia, allergic dermatitis, weeping or broken skin should also avoid cupping.