Cupping therapy has been integrated in the body’s natural healing process for centuries. Cupping history began in Egypt and China, using this treatment for various health reasons. Egyptians used cupping for pain, fever, vertigo and to accelerate healing. The Chinese used cupping for alleviating headaches, improving circulation, and balancing out the body’s vital flow of Qi. Gourds were used as the first cups, which led to hollowed out animal horns, bones, and bamboo. Eventually leading to the cups used today, such as glass, plastic, and silicone cups. Unlike massage therapy, cupping uses a negative pressure (pulling) on tissues and blood vessels leaving “marks” on the body which last 7-14 days.
Physiology of Cupping
Cupping expands the blood vessels of the skin bringing fresh blood to stagnant areas—increasing blood flow and nutritional supply to tissues.
Cupping activates blood vessels within the muscles and assists in removing lactic acid and wastes within muscles.
Can soften scar tissue and the restructuring of fascia can occur.
Stimulates peristaltic movement and secretion of digestive fluids.
The most common kinds are silicone cups which are squeezed and placed on to the skin to cause suction. Hard plastic cups are also used that use a pump creating a vacuum within the cup to decompress and release tissue adhesions. The cups may be kept in place or moved around.
Benefits of Cupping
Due to its strong pull on nerve endings, it helps ease pain and has a sedating response to your body’s parasympathetic nervous system promoting relaxation and loosening tissues that could be impinging on superficial nerve endings.
Improves lymphatic drainage by Increasing circulation throughout the body, helps in reducing swelling (edema), and improves immune system function.
Increases synovial secretions and stretching of connective tissues at joints, increases flexibility as well as improving quality and quantity of movement.
Cupping may help with respiratory issues, loosening phlegm and mucus, helping out with asthma and other breathing issues.
Since cupping is highly effective on working with the fascial system, placing cups on an area with fascial adhesions and trigger points may help reduce or eliminate them. Cups can be placed in an area for 5-15 minutes and are typically placed on the neck, back, shoulders, arms, sacrum, hips, abdomen, and legs. It is a great addition to massage therapy and can help with many conditions.
Conditions that can greatly benefit from cupping:
- Carpal Tunnel
- Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
- Headaches and Migraines
- Frozen Shoulder
- Poor Digestion
- Edema
- Myofascial Release
- Limited ROM
- Sports Injuries
- Plantar Fasciitis
- Chronic Pain
Please schedule with Matt Vince, LMT, if you would like to experience this technique. Call for an appointment (708) 447-2468.
