Why Everyone Should Try Cupping
You may have noticed around Jada Blitz that some of our clients have a few odd purple bruises on their bodies. These round bruises are actually the result of a healing technique known as cupping. Cupping involves using silicone or glass cups and then putting them directly onto the skin, which creates a pulling sensation. When the skin is pulled away from a muscle adhesion, or “knot”, blood flow is promoted and the muscle can then relax. Instead of applying pressure to the muscles, the suction uses pressure to pull the skin, tissue, and muscles upwards. Here are some great reasons to incorporate cupping into your next massage therapy session:
- Pain relief: Pain relief is one of the most common reasons that people incorporate cupping into their therapy. Cupping targets soft tissue with pressure applied to pain points and areas of inflammation. This helps to increase blood flow and give the tissues an increased supply of nutrients and oxygen. Cupping helps release tissues deep within the body, relax tension in muscles, and ease stiffness. Pain associated with neck and back pain, migraines, and rheumatism is often relieved with cupping therapy.
- Relief from cold, cough, and allergy symptoms: Cupping can stimulate the lungs to help clear out phlegm. Excess phlegm in the lungs triggers coughing and cupping can help bring it out of the body. Immune function is boosted by moving blood and lymphatic fluid throughout the body.
- Relaxation: The act of lying still and allowing a massage therapist to apply the cups has positive effects on well-being. After the cups are placed on the skin and suctioned, they generally remain in place for 5-20 minutes. This basically forces one to be still and silent, putting them into a more relaxed state as it sedates the central nervous system.
- Detoxification: Poor circulation can lead to a buildup of toxins inside of the body’s tissues. Cupping helps to improve stagnation, since the blood rushing to the area that is being treated carries away toxins. All of these elements are expelled naturally.
- Inducing inflammation to heal injuries faster: If you are suffering from a muscular injury, the first thing you should do is grab an ice pack! After one or two days of icing, cupping helps to flood the injured muscle with blood, nutrients, platelets, and white blood cells to aid in healing. Cupping an area allows for new blood vessels to be created, helping to heal knots and adhesions. This is why so many athletes have been turning to this therapy. The body can then recover faster from intense workout sessions.
If you are interested in giving cupping a try for yourself, please contact Stephanie from Blitz Body and Mind Massage therapy to book your appointment today. She can be reached at (716)866-3261.
