07 Mar Myofascial Cupping

Cupping has been used in traditional Chinese medicine as a method of pain relief and relaxation for thousands of years.

So what does cupping do? Why is it still practiced today?

As a massage therapist, the main purpose for myofascial cupping is for myofascial release and pain relief. Regardless of the type of cup used to perform the cupping (glass, silicon or plastic), the result is similar. When using cupping on a tight area of the muscle, it stretches the fascia away from the muscle, resulting in more mobility with less pain. This way, any adhesion’s that have built up begin to melt away.

These are some of the reasons as to why it is still practiced today.

The separation of the fascia and the muscle allows the draining of excess fluids and toxins. It increases blood flow along with lymphatic flow to the skin and muscles in the area. Cupping sedates the sympathetic nervous system and activates the parasympathetic nervous system. Creating vasodilation with cupping, results from decompressing the muscular walls from the blood vessels. This allows a deep sense of relaxation to move through the entire body. This will then assist with an increase of nutrition rich blood supply to the injured area.

Cupping can be incorporated into almost any type of massage, from relaxation to therapeutic work.

-CAMIL (Registered Massage Therapist)