WHAT IS CUPPING

Cupping is known for its ability to break up localized stagnation. Cupping is reputed to:

Drain excess fluids and toxins
Loosen adhesions
Lift connective tissue
Enhance circulation in stagnant musculature and fascia
Stimulate the peripheral nervous system

In terms of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory, the stagnation can be of just about any type: blood, toxins, qi, or dampness. The suction created by cupping draws stagnant toxins, heat, energy, or fluid out of where it has accumulated and brings it to the body’s surface. Once under the skin, the offending culprit can more easily be eliminated via the body’s waste removal systems.

Blood Stagnation –Injuries, adhesions, menstrual irregularities
Stagnant Toxins –Gastrointestinal disorders, rigid muscles, breast inflammation
Qi Stagnation–Muscular pain, dysmenorrhea, pinched nerves
Fluid Stagnation–Lung congestion, asthma, lactation dysfunction

Once an adhesion or congestion is pulled away from its source, fresh blood, energy, and fluids rush in to expedite healing. This dramatic increase in circulation makes cupping a valuable complement to your bodywork session.

TYPES OF CUPPING PERFORMED AT SUNFLOWER SPA

Suction Pump Method – Usually composed of plastic, these cupping sets allow the practitioner to use a pump to remove oxygen from the cup, thus creating suction.

Stationary Cupping – This is when a cup is applied to a specific, congested location and left there for up to 15 minutes.

Running Cupping – This is when plenty of massage oil is applied to a broad area, a cup adheres to the body, and then moved around without breaking the seal. Massage therapists can mimic several types of massage strokes by working with this technique.

PREPARING TO BE CUPPED

To get the best results we recommend the following tips:

1. Eat something prior to your session. Being cupped on an empty stomach may cause dizziness or nausea.

2. Hydrate your body 24 hours prior to the session. Being cup when you are dehydrated will not help your body detoxify. Also, avoid alcohol 24 hours prior to appointment.

3. Know your upcoming social schedule; rethink whether cupping marks showing above a strapless dress line are appropriate or not if you have an upcoming wedding to attend. Discoloration can last anywhere from 1 hour to 3 weeks - it's difficult to predict what will happen, especially if it's your first time.

4. Bring clothing that can cover the area where you were cupped. Following the session, you will want to cover the area and keep it warm. Cupping opens the surface of the body, therefore temperature extremes (especially cold or wind) can trigger the muscles to go into spasm or tighten up.

CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR CUPPING

If any of the above boxes are checked below, I understand that this is a contraindication and it is not safe for my body to receive Cupping Therapy at this time.

Prone to bleeding; such as purpura hemorrhagic, leukemia, hemophilia, and capillary fragility
Dermatologic disease, contagious skin disease, serious skin allergies
Ulcerated sores or large blood vessels.
Allergic to silicone
Acute soft tissue injury
Trauma, fracture, varicose veins, or surface scarring
Extremely thin and weak skin
Malignant tumors
Severe edema
Moderate to severe heart disease.
Any diseases of the liver (cirrhosis, ascites)
Active tuberculosis
Active fever
Convulsions or cramps

Pregnant

AFTER CUPPING CARE

Every “body” reacts to cupping differently, so it is important to give your body a chance to adjust to the experience and recuperate. Some clients feel great while others can experience fatigue, soreness, and even extreme detoxifying effects on their bodies.

Either way, please take extra care of your body after the experience, here are some tips:

Keep the cupped area covered, warm, and free from any drafts following your treatment. Cupping opens the surface of the body, therefore temperature extremes (especially cold or wind) can trigger the muscles to go into spasm or tighten up. You need to be sure to keep the area protected and avoid activities such as hot tubs or cold showers. Warm baths are acceptable if you can avoid leaning back into the tub where the area may be put up against cold ceramic.

Drink plenty of water! The solution to pollution is dilution. Since toxins have been released back into your system, be sure to drink plenty of fluids to help your body flush them out.
Over-the-counter pain relief medication such as Tylenol or Advil in small doses is generally acceptable to manage any lasting discomfort.
Avoid alcohol or other toxic substances for at least 48 hours following the session. Your liver is working hard to process what has been reintroduced into the system; don't make it work any harder than it has to.
Take it easy! Healing is happening to give your body the rest and relaxation it needs.

WHAT THE DISCOLORATION MEANS

The suction pulls toxins, pathogenic factors, blood poison, dead lymph, and cellular debris from deep within the tissues to the surface. These debilitating agents are then more easily expelled from the body. The deposits dissipate from a few hours up to several weeks, depending on the amount of stagnation and the client’s post-treatment activities.

The quality of the pathogenic factors varies according to the severity of the patient's blood stasis -- which correlates with the nature, severity, and type of condition they have.

It can appear from a light pink to a dark purple but is usually a shade of red. Often tiny raised bumps will appear. Sometimes a clear fluid will be drawn to the surface.

These are all results of disease and toxins being removed from deep within the tissues.

WHAT IF I DO NOT WANT THE DISCOLORATION MARKS?

If you are concerned about discolorations on your body – then suction cup therapy is not for you.

MISCONCEPTIONS OF THE MARKS LEFT FROM CUPPING WWW.CUPPINGTHERAPY.ORG

The most common misunderstanding regarding one of the most powerful and beneficial after effects of Cupping is the marks that sometimes result.

When injuries occur deep in the muscle, bleeding often occurs causing deep bruises. There will also be edema in the area involving the coagulation of sticky proteins. The combining presence of these elements usually results in stagnation of circulation to the area - resulting in pain, dysfunction, and chronic conditions.

Bruising is caused by impact trauma with compressed breakage of capillaries and a reactionary rush of fluids to the damaged location from the tissue injury. There is no compression in correctly performed suction cup therapy.

The vacuum formed by Cupping draws up the old non-circulating stagnant blood and sticky fluids from the area, bringing them up to the surface and away from the injury so that healthy free circulation can be restored to the affected area, thus creating space for oxygen, living cells and nutrients for faster recovery.

Where there is dead, static blood, lymph, cellular debris, pathogenic factors, and toxins present in the body, Cupping can leave marks which indicates that the stagnation or disease has been moved from the deeper tissue layers to the surface.

In many countries - this is a non-issue, they've experienced themselves the amazing detoxifying effects suction therapy can provide. But in some industrialized countries, where Allopathic Medicine still overshadows more holistic, natural approaches, these surface discolorations are misinterpreted as damage rather than the result of debilitating agents being drawn to the surface. Westerners also live in an image-conscious society that also has a heightened sensitivity to domestic abuse... so, without sufficient understanding, some people are unnerved upon seeing this important after effect.

Once people understand what these marks are, and feel the results - the concerns disappear.

The color and pattern of the marks depend on the level of stagnation in the area, and range from a bright red to dark purple, usually lasting 3 days to a week - sometimes longer if the person is very sick or sedentary. If there is no stagnation present, there will be only a pink marking which disappears in a few minutes to a couple of hours.