What is Cupping?
Cupping therapy dates way back to ancient Egyptian and Chinese cultures. It is a form of medicine where the therapist will put specially shaped glass cups on your skin for 5-10 minutes to create suction. There are two types of cupping: wet and dry. At Rejuvenate, we only perform dry cupping.
Rather than using the traditional method of using fire and air cooling to create a vacuum, we use a more modern version of cupping which involves using a rubber pump instead. As the suction is applied, the skin will rise into the cup and will begin to redden.
Cupping is traditionally used for the therapeutic effects and detoxing, but it is also widely used for musculo-skeletal benefits. You may have seen the discoloured circles from cupping on athletes such as Michael Phelps.
How does Cupping work?
When treating musculo-skeletal issues, cupping works by increasing blood flow. The redness which you will get from cupping is due to a huge increase in blood flow to the area. The increase in blood flow helps promote muscle healing, and also helps remove waste products and toxins from these muscles.
It is very beneficial to be combined with massage therapy, which has been reported to help athletes with their pain management during training and events.
Along with increasing blood flow, the suction also physically lifts the tissue which helps to release the underlying fascias which are likely to be restricted.
Can Cupping help me - and what should I expect?
Cupping is a great technique that you should consider asking your therapist to add into your treatment sessions. There are some reasons why you couldn’t have this treatment – for example if you have any bone fractures or are/could be pregnant. But don’t worry – your therapist will be sure that you are fit for treatment before administering it.
The cups are quick and easy to apply and they won’t be painful. You will feel some pressure and ‘tightness’. If any cup is too tight or uncomfortable, let your therapist know and they will loosen it or take it off.
You may have the marks from your cupping therapy from anywhere between 2-14 days dependant on the location of treatment. These will fade by themselves and there is nothing that you need to do.
If you have a query regarding whether cupping is right for you, don’t hesitate to get in touch and we can discuss it further.
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