Massage cupping bodywork therapy is a wonderful ancient technique that has powerful results. Cupping therapy has been used extensively in Chinese medicine for several thousand years.

By creating suction and negative pressure, massage cupping is used to drain excess fluids and toxins. Other benefits of this technique include:
–lymphatic drainage
–increased oxygen flow throughout the body
–stimulation of the peripheral nervous system
–increased blood flow to stagnant muscles and skin
–loosening of skin adhesions, connective tissue and stubborn knots in soft tissue

There are two main cupping techniques: stationary and moving. In the stationary method, cups are placed on the skin and left for a period of five to fifteen minutes in one location. The cups may be applied and removed cyclically in a technique called “flash cupping”. These are the methods most commonly used in Chinese medicine.

In the moving method, oil is administered to the skin prior to applying the cup. This helps the therapist to feel the areas of tension and congestion with his/her hands and facilitates the smooth movement of the cups. A vacuum is created when the cup is placed on the affected area and then the cup is glided over the surface of the skin. The cup may be “parked” for a short time over inflamed joints or on stubborn knots. Cupping can be used on the neck, shoulders, back, sacral area, hip, abdomen, thigh, upper arms and calves.

The sensation of cupping is often characterised as deep warmth and tingling, long after the treatment has ended.

(article submitted by Massage Therapist Oliga Kolokolova)