Cupping is a form of negative pressure mobilization. While massage pushes--cupping uses a vacuum in a glass cup to "pull". This creates SPACE to massage's COMPRESSION...
It became popular in the 2016 Summer Olympics when Michael Phelps showed up with cupping marks and then went on to win multiple gold medals... Suddenly, massage clients all over the world started asking for this "new" treatment which I had been doing for the past 15 years in my massage practice.
Is this a new treatment? No. Cupping has been around for over 5,000 years, specifically the Arabic and Chinese cultures.
What does Cupping Treatment Do?
Cupping treats your muscles, nervous system and fascia. People get it for many purposes, including to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep tissue massage.
What is Fascia Anyway?
Fascia is a thin Layer of Connective tissue that lies under the skin and wraps every muscle and organ in the body. If you've ever pulled up the skin on raw chicken or steak, and seen that thin, white and filmy layer of tissue, that's fascia.
Fascia is like thin, saran wrap-like layer that wraps around the entire body--individual muscle and organ and also connects the muscles to the bones. Fascia is key to the structural integrity of our bodies. Fascia is also where the nerves and lymph nodes lie so healthy fascia is related to a healthy immune system. Fascia used to be considered un-important, but recently got labeled as a sensory organ, as this is where pain originates and is communicated to the brain. Western medicine has only recently begun to really recognize the role of fascia in the body, and terms like "myofascial release" are now buzzwords in the fitness industry.
How does Cupping Work?
The space created by cupping supports your nerves... studies have shown that just the feeling of touch promotes the release of Nerve Growth Factor in the brain. The release of NGF in a learning environment will facilitate nerve net growth in response to the learned task in both the central and peripheral nervous system, resulting in improved proprioceptive feedback and motor patterning.
Will Your Skin Mark Up?
Not likely! Rachel mostly uses glide cupping, such as on the back to create a myofascial release. Rarely is there mark ups (and the mark up is light, indicating toxic release). The marks are thought to be a heme reaction, increasing healing.
Is this a Stand-Alone Treatment or part of the Massage?
Either! All massages include the option at no extra cost--it can be a stand alone short treatment (say a back massage and cupping in an hour) or a full body aromatherapy cupping treatment usually used with detoxifying essential oils.
What else can treat Fascia?
Foam rolling. Rockblades (like graston), and RockTape all create a change in the tissue that includes space or improvement to the fascia and muscles.
