Cupping Therapy for
Lymphatic Drainage, Scar Release,
and Relief of Muscle Tension
What Is Cupping?
Cupping Therapy is an ancient technique that helps rid the body of chemicals, loosen stiff muscles, and free up and soften stuck down, tough scar.
Cupping is a relaxing therapy that leaves you feeling free and revitalized.
Cupping is a method to improve your health by stimulating circulation, helping to clear lymphatic pathways for the immune system, and assisting in the elimination of bloating and water retention. Additionally, it is an amazing way to get a strong detox by speeding up waste removal from the tissues.
How Does Cupping Work?
Cupping is a unique therapy that uses negative pressure to release areas of stiff muscles and fascia. It also facilitates the drainage of fluid which carries with it wastes and toxins that are trapped in those stuck areas.
Cupping is also great at loosening adhesions because it is able to lift up connective tissue – something that cannot be done with massage. In massage we use compression and shearing force to manipulate tissues.
Cupping’s negative pressure gives therapists an entirely different dimension in which to work – by allowing the therapist to pull upwards and gently twist tissue. This makes cupping an outstanding method for releasing scar tissue.
Additionally, he blood flow to the area is immediately increased when cups are applied. Blood flow is how tissues are nourished, so in addition to the flushing away of toxins, cells get an immediate influx of nutrients so they have the materials necessary to repair and make more of themselves – meaning that healing is facilitated.
There has been considerable research done on cupping. To read the research for yourself, click here.
It Feels Great!
Getting down to the nitty-gritty of the matter (not all of us really care about the science behind how cupping works), simply put – Cupping Feels Amazing!
What Does Cupping Do?
Research shows that the effects that cupping has on the body are systemic (that it affects the whole body), and that these effects are positive.
Cupping has a positive effect on the skin.
Because cupping increases the circulation of blood, there is an increase in skin temperature, delivery of nutrients to cells. As a result, the basic functions of the skin are improved. This includes increased metabolism, cutaneous respiration, and the functioning of the sweat and oil glands in the skin.
Cupping Helps The Muscles
Lymphatic Drainage
One of the primary benefits of cupping is its ability to promote lymphatic drainage. The lymphatic system is responsible for removing waste and toxins from the body and plays a crucial role in the immune system. When the lymphatic system becomes congested or sluggish, it can lead to a buildup of toxins and waste in the body, which can contribute to various health problems.
Cupping works by creating a vacuum that pulls the skin and underlying tissues upward. This suction helps to stretch the skin and underlying muscles, which stimulates the lymphatic system to start working more efficiently. As a result, the lymphatic fluid can flow more freely, and waste and toxins can be removed from the body more effectively.
Cupping Helps with Muscle Relaxation
Cupping is also effective in relaxing tight muscles. When muscles are tight, they can cause pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. Cupping helps to loosen these tight muscles by increasing blood flow to the affected area. The suction created by the cups draws blood to the surface of the skin, which brings fresh oxygen and nutrients to the muscle tissues.
Not only does cupping significantly increase blood flow into the muscles. It also brings nutrients to their attachments (tendons). This increased blood flow also helps to remove metabolic waste and toxins from the muscles and tendons, which can contribute to muscle tightness and pain. Lactic acid and other toxins are moved out of the tissues, and this effect has been found to last for some time following cupping therapy. This is how cupping helps to relieve chronic pain – much like myofascial therapy can do.
Additionally, the suction created by the cups can also help to break up adhesions or knots in the muscles, which can further contribute to muscle tightness and pain.
Connective Tissue Mobilization
Cupping also has the ability to free stuck connective tissue. Connective tissue surrounds and supports the muscles, organs, and other structures in the body. When this tissue becomes stiff or adhesions form, it can restrict movement and cause pain and discomfort.
Cupping helps to mobilize the connective tissue by pulling it upward and creating space between the layers of tissue. This can help to break up adhesions and improve flexibility and mobility in the affected area.
Fibrosis Reduction
Finally, cupping can be effective in reducing fibrosis. Fibrosis is a condition in which excess protein accumulates in the body, leading to stiffness, pain, and reduced mobility. Fibrosis can occur as a result of injury, surgery (like plastic surgery, knee replacements), or chronic inflammation.
Cupping helps to reduce fibrosis by increasing blood flow to the affected area and promoting lymphatic drainage. The suction created by the cups helps to break up scar tissue and adhesions, which can contribute to fibrosis. When done a certain way, cupping can be used to pull away the broken-down fibrotic fibers so that they are less likely to re-form.
Where Does Cupping Come From?
First developed in 1550 BCE (that’s over 3,500 years ago), cupping has been found in many cultures throughout the world. It came to China in 281 CE. Glass cupping relics have even been found in Jamestown settlement archeological digs. But that wasn’t its introduction to North America. Native Americans were already doing it by the time the Jamestown settlers arrived.
How did so many cultures come about the same idea despite the long distances? It appears that the earliest evidence of cupping sprang up in many places around the world without ideas being brought from elsewhere. Later on when people traveled around the world, its popularity spread.
Many Westerners only learned about it in recent years through the images of Michael Phelps with visible cup marks at the Olympics. “What the heck did he do to himself?” many folks asked. “If it’s good enough for him, I might as well give it a try,” thought many others. Through this sudden interest in the benefits of cupping, a resurgence of cupping in North America began.
Did You Know? There Are Many Types of Cupping.
While I don’t use several traditional forms of cupping such as employing cups made from animal horns, or fire or wet cupping that are common in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), there are several types of modern cupping that I do use.
Baguanfa Cups
Baguanfa Cups are silicone style cups that get squeezed to remove the air from them, and then are applied to the skin – usually with some form of lubricant like coconut oil.
The advantage of Baguanfa Cups is their physical flexibility which allows them to be placed in harder to cup areas – like over bones and on curves on the body.
Baguanfa Cups
Cupping Machines
One of my favorite ways to do cupping is with a cupping machine. This machine helps to reduce fibrosis, loosen up stuck muscle tissue, and all of the other great benefits of cupping.
With a cupping machine, you can be very specific with the amount of pressure you use, and you can set it to turn on and off sequentially to create more of a pumping-style motion which can really get the lymphatic system working.
Cupping Machine
Facial Cups
Facial Cupping is an excellent way to rejuvenate the face and neck using very gentle cups. Lymphatic flow is improved, tissue plumps up, and the regrowth of collagen is facilitated.
Facial Cups
Reflexology Magnetic Haci Cups
Haci Cups provide a unique reflexology experience by combining cupping, magnetic therapy, and acupressure. The magnets in the cups have dull points on them that can accurately target acupressure points – either stimulating or sedating them, depending on whether positive or negative magnets are used.
Truly a unique experience, Reflexology Cupping takes reflexology to another level.
Reflexology Magnetic Hacil Cups
Kangzhu Cups
Kangzhu Cups are a rigid plastic cup with a valve at the top. Suction is created with a special vacuum pistol that sucks the air out. Kangzhu cups are great for orthopedic problems and for use with digestive issues.
Kangzhu Cups simulate the same style of cupping that is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (fire cupping) without the risk of getting burned. In fact, many TCM practitioners have switched to Kangzhu Cups because they are so much easier to use.
Kangzhu Cups
Vacuum Cupping Machine
The vacuum cupping machine works very similarly to other cupping methods, but instead of the suction being done by hand it is automated. The vacuum cupping machine is great to use for lift-style procedures such as facelifts, breast lifts, and butt lifts when someone wants to avoid surgery.
Vacuum cupping promotes lymphatic flow and blood circulation which aids in eliminating toxins. It also lifts connective tissue, bring blood flow to stagnant skin and muscles. Increased blood flow means more nutrient delivery. When tissues have adequate nutrition they can repair themselves and be healthier.
Research shows that cupping stimulates collagen formation, enhancing tissue elasticity and tightness.
