Cupping has become a popular treatment in recent years after celebs such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Jennifer Aniston, Justin Bieber and Olympic champion Michael Phelps were pictured with cupping marks on their skin.
Michael Phelps Cupping
Justin Bieber Cupping
What is Cupping Therapy?
Dry Cupping / Cupping Massage
Cupping is an ancient method of causing local congestion. A partial vacuum is created in cups placed on the skin using a suction pump to draw up the underlying tissues. When the cup is left in place on the skin for a few minutes, blood stasis is formed and localised healing takes place by promoting the circulation of blood in the area where the cup is applied.
Cupping Therapy may leave a circular mark on the body which lasts for about 4-10 days depending on the condition. The mark is very useful as a diagnostic tool – the darker the mark, the more stagnation there is in the muscles.
Cupping massage can also act as a ‘hoover’ or Reverse Massage allowing the tissue to be lifted upwards and changing the pressure on underlying tissues, such as skin, fat, nerves, and fascia to help restore movement. It also helps to remove stagnation and toxins which are often associated with joint and muscle pain.
Wet Cupping / Hijama
This is the process of using a vacuum at different points on the body but with small incisions in order to remove ‘harmful’ blood which lies just beneath the surface of the skin. The procedure is relatively straight forward and safe. A mild suction is created on the selected treatment area. The cup is removed and small superficial skin incisions are made using a small blade. A second suction is used to carefully draw out a small quantity of blood, which contains dead blood cells, toxins and impurities. The superficial skin incisions usually take 7-10 days to fully heal.
Sterile disposable equipment is used at all times with appropriate medical wound management and clinical waste disposal procedures adhered to.
Those who have never had cupping treatment, often have the perception that it appears to be painful. However, experienced patients normally report that the sensation during treatment simply feels as if something or someone is tugging at their skin. Wet Cupping (Hijama) does hurt a little bit when the incisions are made, and you cannot feel the blood coming out as the incisions are no more than 3mm deep into the skin.
What can Cupping help with?
Cupping Therapy increases blood flow and speeds up metabolism in the soft tissues which increases nutrients and cleansing toxins to promote healing through pain reduction and deep relaxation.
It can help with:
* Back, Neck & Muscle Pain, Muscle Stiffness & Sports Injuries
* Colds & Flu Symptoms
* Weight Loss
* Cellulite
* Skin Conditions Such As Eczema and Acne
* Respiratory Problems
* Sciatica
* Digestive Disorders
* Blood Detoxification
* Improves Blood Circulation
* Removes Acidic Toxins
* Activates The Lymphatic System
* Migraines
* Fatigue
* Anxiety
* Fertility
* High Blood Pressure
What happens during a cupping treatment?
After having a consultation to discuss your needs, The therapist places a cup on a specific parts of the patient’s body and using the hand help pump gives 2-3 pumps thus drawing the skin into the cup. This suction causes the cups to adhere strongly, but comfortably, to the skin and unblock energy.
The cup can be placed on the body from 5-15 minutes
The skin will rise into the glass cup and will begin to redden due to the congestion of blood flow.
Dry cupping produces a low amount of pressure. The cups are better suited for use on the softer tissue so that
Cupping
a secure and tight seal is allowed against the skin. The skin may also be lubricated so that the cups can be moved around from one area to a larger area.
The cup is then removed from the skin by pressing the valve on the cup, allowing the air to escape and thus equalising the pressure.
Some bruising on the skin where the rim of the cup has been is to be expected.
The pulling effect created by the suction inside the cups deeply massages the muscles, eliminating knots and muscle spasms, helping the body to realign itself in a similar way to a deep tissue massage.
Does it hurt?
Cupping therapy causes mild swelling and bruising on the skin so many people assume it must be painful. This shouldn’t be the case however. The marks, or ‘bruises’ appear because the suction causes the blood vessels on the surface of the skin to expand. The resulting marks are unlike bruises caused by blunt trauma so they shouldn’t hurt. The marks can last anywhere between a day and two weeks, but usually they last a couple of days.
You may feel a tight pulling sensation as the cups are applied, but again there shouldn’t be any pain. If you are feeling pain, be sure to tell your therapist so they can adjust their technique. If your skin is broken or inflamed, the therapy should be avoided as this may cause pain.
Cupping
Who can have it?
Cupping therapy carries little or no risk. However, it is advisable that the following groups of people avoid it:
* Those who bleed easily and/or cannot stop bleeding
* Anyone taking Warfarin (Blood Thinner)
* Pregnant women
* Menstruating women
* Anyone with metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread from one part of the body to another)
* Anyone with muscle spasms or bone fractures.
Cupping should not be carried out on parts of the body that have the following:
* Ulcers
* An Artery
* Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)
* Where A Pulse Can Be Felt.
Treatment Prices:
5 – 20 minute Dry Cupping Therapy: £35
(Can be incorporated in a Swedish or Deep Tissue/Sports Massage)
Payment by Cash or Credit/Debit Card (Subject to a 2.75% Fee)
For An Out Call Appointment Please Contact Me For A Price – Price Depends On Location