Organic Runner Mom

You’ve all seen people walking around with weird circles on their skin. Most likely this is from cupping massage or cupping therapy. Cupping therapy dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures. I was first introduced to cupping therapy by massage therapist Amie Hamel at Strafford Chiropractic & Healing Center in Pennsylvania. This form of deep tissue massage therapy has been critical in bringing relief to muscle tension and issues with blood flow.

What is Cupping Therapy and Massage and How is it Done?

According to Strafford Chiropractic, “the basic idea behind cupping therapy is to place glass cups or silicone cups on the patient’s skin to create a vacuum, so the blood is drawn to the surface of the skin in specific parts of the body that need healing.”

There are 3 main ways to do cupping therapy:

• Dry cupping-This actually involves heating the cup up using fire (Now methods for heating the cups are different). After the cup is heated it is placed on the skin and the cooling effect draws the skin up into the cup by creating a vacuum. Cups are placed for 3-4 minutes although sometimes more.
• Wet Cupping-This practice is not common in the U.S. According to Somatic Services. “After using dry cupping for up to 5 minutes, the therapist will make small incisions in the area. The cup is prepared once again and applied to the affected area. Blood will be drawn out of the body in the vacuum.
• Massage Cupping-Massage cupping is done to promote myo-fascial release. Cups are placed and then the massage therapist will glide the cups over the skin in a form of massage. Massage oils are used to aid in the cups gliding across the skin.

What are the benefits of Cupping Therapy?

Cupping therapy has many benefits. Cupping therapy is primarily used to treat inflammation. According to Women’s Health Magazine cupping therapy, “improves blood circulation in that area by attracting immune cells to that location to increase the repair and recovery process, so that the swelling can go down.” It can be beneficial in treating chronic pain and is great for myo-fascial release or treating muscle adhesions. Cupping therapy can be coupled with acupuncture to help address stress. Cupping is also used to treat respiratory issues and removal of toxins from skin

What is cupping therapy and cupping massage? Find out @organicrunmom’s experience with it. #massage #injury #bibchat #runchat

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My experience with Cupping Massage.

I first had cupping massage to address issues with my shoulder. I get muscle knots in my shoulders and have been having an issue with one side in particular. The cupping massage that I have had done on my shoulder has helped to provide some relief to the pain that I have been encountering. I also have had cupping massage on my lower back to help with SI Joint dysfunction where the muscles around my SI Joint have been spasming. This type of massage coupled with regular massage has been very beneficial in helping to restore blood-flow to the area of discomfort.

Have you ever tried cupping therapy or cupping massage? Would you?