Massage
Cupping Therapy
By
Karen Benford Smith
Massage cupping is an ancient form of vacuum therapy that
was used in early Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Ancient practitioners would hollow out animal bones or horns to remove
toxic poisons from venomous snake bites and skin lesions. The horns were later replaced by bamboo cups
and today the glass cups are the choice of most therapists for massage cupping.
The theory behind cupping is that blood is diverted to a
particular site on the body In the 18th
through the 20th century cupping was used to reduce congestion and
build up associated with colds. Breast
cupping is used for lactation dysfunction.
The breast pump resulted out of breast cupping to ensure that the mother
could continuously produce milk and store the milk for future feedings of the
child.
Massage cupping currently is used in addition to a
massage therapy session. Cupping adds
suction to the body and helps the nervous system by sedating and relaxing the
area that has built up lactic acid or adhesions.
The deep rolling effect of cupping that is done on the
entirety of the back and mimics a deep tissue massage. Long and intended cupping actions will drain
fluid, or circular actions will remove stubborn or ridged tissue build up. Often the skin turns red, which is a sign
that the circulation has been brought to the surface.
Some conditions that benefit from cupping or
fibromyalgia, anxiety, insomnia, post-injury trauma, chronic pain, post-
surgery adhesions, and sluggish coon.
Cupping is a new addition to my practice. Creating a suction and vacuum pressure to
soft tight muscles and tone attachments may produce reduction in inflammation,
drain excess fluids, and toxins by opening lymphatic pathways. Be sure and request cupping as part of your
therapy treatment.
