Cupping
Cupping is a technique where cups are placed on the skin then put under a slight vacuum, with the amount of vacuum controlled by the provider. After a few minutes of having the cups on the skin, blood stasis is formed and this is where the healing takes place. The cups suction rapidly helping to loosen and lift connective tissue to assist in an increase of blood flow and lymph flow to the skin and the muscles. When the cups are removed, this engages the parasympathetic nervous system—our “rest and digest.” Cupping pulls blood to a region to stimulate healing. It is effective at stretching tight fascia and muscles. Cupping helps the tissue develop new blood flow and causes anti-inflammatory chemicals in the body to be triggered. The suction and negative pressure provided by cupping can loosen muscles, and encourage blood flow.
Benefits of cupping
- Relieve back and neck pains
- Relieve stiff muscles
- Decrease trigger points
- Loosen tissue
