Cupping for Muscular Tension

Cupping is a traditional Chinese medicine therapy involving the application of suction cups to the skin.

It stimulates the flow of energy (Qi), improve blood circulation, and facilitate healing.

It stimulates the removal of interstitial accumulation. (Stuff stuck under the skin) from stress, exercise & illness.

Keep your eyes peeled for athletes sporting cupping “bruises” at the Olympics.

They are however not bruises and will not be sore or painful like a bruise.

They will fade and not change colour unlike an injury related bruise.

Types of Cupping

💆‍♀️ Cosmetic Cupping - used in Cosmetic Acupuncture treatments.

Smaller silicone cups are used in that create negative pressure, lifting sagging skin tissue, encouraging tone and collagen production and clearing lymphatic waste.

🔥 Fire Cupping:

(the most traditional style of cupping you see)

Uses fire to create a vacuum inside the cup.

A flame is briefly introduced into the cup, which is quickly placed on the skin, creating suction as the air inside cools.

🙌🏻 Moving Cupping (Massage Cupping): (the one in this image ) with Silicone suction cups.

Combines cupping with massage techniques.

The cup is moved around the skin after suction is created, often using oil to facilitate smooth movement

🩷 Air pump cups.

These use a pump to create the suction (and also come in fun shapes like the @lovecupping ones we have in clinic. These perform the same function.

🩸 Wet Cupping: (WE DO NOT USE THIS TYPE OF CUPPING!)

known as “Hijama” or “bleeding cupping.”

Involves making small incisions on the skin before applying the cup to draw out a small quantity of blood. It has its place in TCM but isn’t something that Keri includes in her sessions.

Have you experienced cupping?