Cupping Massage
What is Cupping Massage?
Cupping Massage brings the ancient art of cupping to the modern day practice of Massage Therapy. The therapist typically uses silicone or plastic cups to create a vacuum, drawing the skin up into the cup and separating the layers of superficial fascia. This suction draws blood to the level of the skin, creating a vacuum (negative pressure) below the skin. This causes new blood to rush in below, removing stagnation. The client will likely be left with blood between skin layers caused by seepage of blood from the vessels (ecchymosis). This may cause marks to be left on the skin that can often be confused for bruising.
Cupping Marks vs. Bruises
A bruise (or contusion) is a type of hematoma of tissue in which capillaries and sometimes venules are damages by trauma, allowing blood to seep into surrounding interstitial tissues. Bruises may be tender or swollen and will change in colour over the next 3-14 days from blue, purple, green to yellow.
A cupping mark is thought to be caused by the release of dead static blood, lymph, cellular debris, pathogens and toxins to the surface of the skin. Cupping marks are not painful and can range in intensity from no mark at all to a dark purple. Marks usually last from 1-8 days but can remain for approximately 2 weeks.
Benefits of Cupping
Cupping Massage can be used for a variety of concerns such as:
- Pain (provides pain relief)
- Fascial restrictions
- Limited range of motion from scar tissue
- Chronic joint pain
- Spinal compression
- Digestive concerns
- Menstrual cramps
- Chronic lung congestion
Contraindications for Cupping Massage
There are certain circumstances where cupping is not advised or needs to be modified. If you are experiencing any of these conditions, please notify your therapist immediately.
- Exhaustion/extreme tiredness
- Pregnancy
- Hemorrhagic diseases/clotting disorders
- High fever
- Cramps/spasms
- Skin allergies, sensitive skin or prone to bruising, injured skin, unknown rashes
- Open or recently healing wounds
- Herniation (umbilical, abdominal, inguinal)
- Acute inflammation
- Hypermobile joints
- Lymphedema or compromised lymphatic system; unknown swelling or edema
- Breast tissue
- Pacemaker
- Renal or liver disease
- Suspected or known muscle, tendon or ligament ruptures
- Not for use over eyes, ears, nose, mouth or genial areas
- Certain medications, especially those that increase bleeding risk (blood thinners)
Post Cupping Recommendations
- Cupping marks may not be visible now but may come out in the 24-48 hours after treatment
- You may experience post treatment soreness similar to a deep tissue massage
- Drink lots of water after treatment
- You may wish to use a homeopathic anti-inflammatory cream such as Traumacare (formally Traumeel) as this may reduce the cupping marks faster.
- If blisters appear during cupping (this is rare), they should be wiped with antiseptic and covered with a sterile pad and left to be reabsorbed into the body. This is to prevent infection