The Restoration Room, Norfolk
HOMEOPATHY. MYOFASCIAL RELEASE. MASSAGE THERAPY.
Myofascial Cupping
When a massage stroke it applied is creates compression.
When a cup is applied it creates decompression.
Modern Clinical Cupping Therapy is the application of silicon or glass cups to areas of the body for short periods of time.
The purpose of cups is similar to many hands-on therapies; to have a calming effect on the nervous system, reduce feelings of tissue tension, and alter sensation in the area which may be useful for reducing pain and increasing movement.
At the Restoration Room I use silicon cups called RockPods for both Dry & Glide Cupping
If you would like to try it, just ask to include Rockpods Dry or Glide Cupping in your Myofascial Therapy or Holistic Massage sessions.
To re-cap, when a massage stroke is applied to our tissues it applies a downwards pressure, compressing the tissue beneath it.
When a cup is applied it creates a vacuum that lifts the superficial fascia and decompresses the tissue beneath it.
Both have useful therapeutic effects, but feel quite different.
Dry Cupping is when the Rockpods pictured above are applied without any lotion or wax. Here you can be still, or move the area with the cups on to change the level of vacuum.
Because silicon cups deform with movement, they stop too much pressure from the vacuum being created.
Cups can be placed along muscles and tendons, around joints and along myofacial lines.
It's also safe to apply the decompressive effect of cups to the vertebrae, sacrum and the deep gluteal area to aid piriformis syndrome.
Glide Cupping is when lotion or wax is used so that the therapist can glide the cups along the surface of the skin.
Glide cups can be used within a Massage Therapy session, on single areas and along whole myofascial lines.
It’s a lovely addition. Some clients enjoy the sensation of glide cupping so much that they now prefer it to traditional massage.
Frequently asked questions about Myofascial Cupping
Does Cupping effect the whole body?
Yes, and no.
The effect of cupping is local to the tissue within & beneath the cup itself (so, a pretty small area). A wider effect can be created by creating movement with the cups (either singularly or in a pair).
How anything, including cupping, affects the whole body is via the nervous system so, the way you register the sensation of cupping will dictate the level of effect it has on you overall.
How are the marks made in Cupping therapy?
Traditional Cupping may suggest that the marks are caused by an energetic “stagnation”.
Modern Clinical Cupping suggests that marks are created in the process of applying a vacuum decompression to the tissue which increases the amount of blood within the cup.
Stressing the vascular system causes cellular changes in the capillary network. It also causes an immune response which is suggested to have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties.
My personal experience is that areas that are more adhered (stiff or stuck together) produce a greater level of colour than those that are not but there is no scientific or clinical evidence to support this.
Does Cupping cause bruising?
Strictly speaking the term “bruising" refers to “an injury appearing as an area of discoloured skin on the body, caused by a blow or impact rupturing underlying blood vessels”.
Because Cupping is a therapeutic practice and not “an injury” it is not referred to as bruising. Instead the discolouration on the skin seen after cupping is referred to as “marking”.
Does Cupping always cause a mark?
Sometimes cupping leaves a mark. Whether a cup does or doesn’t mark the person is dependent on several factors including
-
The length of time the cup is left in the skin.#
-
The strength of the vacuum applied (it should be appropriate for the size of the person, area of the body and the sensitivity of the tissue area itself.
The sensitivity of the client (some clients are “responders” meaning they may mark faster than others). But this level can be tested beforehand to further reduce any unwanted marking.
Should Cupping Hurt?
No. Feeling pain means several things specific to each client. They range from the client’s sensitivity level to the amount of suction being applied.
Using cups that are too large for an area or a client may create pain which, as it creates tension, is not a useful addition to the therapy.
Do darker marks in Cupping mean that it was a better treatment?
No, a darker mark doesn’t mean the treatment was better or more effective.
The point of cupping is to decompress the tissue, not to cause marks. A darker mark more likely indicates that a cupping has been more regular, or a cup was left in place for longer and they may also have had a higher tendency to mark.
How long should cups be left on for?
Less time than you’d think!
My training recommended the cups be left in place for anything from 5 seconds to 2 minutes.
There’s no real benefit to leaving the cup on for longer in a single area. All it will do is create marks on the skin that could last up to two weeks, which can be an unnecessary and unwanted effect.