It first originated in Eastern Asia thousands of years ago. It was said that pulling the muscle outward into the cup was pulling out unwanted moods, feelings, thoughts, and spiritual binds out of the muscles of the body. If you're like me, you're more interested in the science behind it. Like any thing I learn, my first initial thought is to make a list answering the 5 W's. Who, what, where, when, & why of something.
WHO- who is able to use this? Answer: almost anyone. Any by what I mean by almost anyone, I mean anyone who doesn't easily suffer from acute or chronic hematomas. ( bruising or bleeding beneath surface of skin)
WHAT- what can it be used for? Answer: It can be used to loosen muscles beneath the skin surface, almost as deep as 4 inches deep, it can lightly applied and dragged across the skin surface as a form of myofascial release. ( unfamiliar with myofascial terminology, see past blog post) it can quickly break up adhesions and stagnant blood and metabolic waste trapped inside tight muscles, and pool fresh oxygenated blood to oxygen starved muscles.
WHERE- can they go anywhere? Answer: cupping is designed for musculoskeletal muscles. Some of the best places I tend to use cupping is on the posterior back, shoulders, arms, and legs. Places they're not designed are anywhere there's more connective tissue and/or less to no muscle, and or heavily saturated with lymph glands and nodes, or major arteries. Places such as behind knees, elbows, neck, anterior of upper chest and by breast/ armpit. If used on the appendages (arms/ legs) caution on dragging the cups If they're tightly on.
WHEN- can I use them anytime during a massage? Answer: It's best to use cups once the muscles have been warmed up and lightly worked over first. Since they can be tightened enough to be considered deep tissue, to prevent pain and injury to the skin or muscle it's necessary the area using cupping be treated first and loosened up. Using a lubricant gel or lotion on the skin, the cup can better grip and the skin and muscle can better concave into the cup.
WHY- Because you'll get better range of motion in your joints. You'll get tight muscles relaxes. You'll have less pain, because any nerves that are compromised or pinched due to contracted muscles, those will be able to heal and inflammation will be reduced. It helps your lymphatic system to flow more efficiently, with the increase in blood flow.
What to expect: it may hurt more at first when they're applied. The longer it's on, it will slowly release the muscle.
FAQ:
What does it mean if I have bruise marks?
Answer: it means there was stagnant blood trapped in the muscle due to lack of flow from tightness within. I say if you have marks afterwords that's a good thing. Means we're helping a muscle or group of muscles with fresh oxygenated blood and helping to remove and move along old stagnant blood. I also say not having marks is a good thing too. It means they're wasn't any trapped stagnation and the muscle isn't as tight so it won't need add much deep work done to it.
Im on blood thinners, can I still get cupping done?
Answer: unfortunately no. Clients on prescription blood thinners or elderly clients are not good candidates for cupping therapy.
What if I'm getting regular massages with cupping and I'm still hurting, like I'm not getting the relief I need?
Honestly, as a practicing therapist I would suggest you talk to your physician or a licensed practicing doctor. To me if you're experiencing pain continually then that means there's inflammation going on within your body whether it's diet related or other means.
No comments:
Post a Comment