“I didn’t know how good I could feel in my body or how much tension I was holding in my back until I tried cupping.”
We hear this a lot at Perfectly Kneaded, and it’s because cupping therapy is one of THE MOST effective modalities for easing deep muscle tension, improving circulation, and releasing toxins from the body.
It’s natural. It’s powerful. And it can provide lasting pain relief— especially for those who are recovering from an injury.
HOW IT WORKS
Cupping therapy originated in Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures, with the earliest record of this therapy dating back to 1550 BC! We guess you could say cupping therapy is tried and true, and has been used for a very long time to promote wellness in the body.
Silicone or plastic cups are placed or moved over different parts of the body; creating a vacuum-like suction that decompresses soft tissues. Circulation increases, toxins are freed to be released, and deep muscle tension is relieved.
If you have an injury, promoting blood flow to that area feeds the cells with oxygen and nutrients which aids your body’s natural ability to heal. Cupping acts as a type of deep tissue massage– helping with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation, and overall well-being.
SILICONE VS. PLASTIC CUPS
At PK, we work with two different types of cups depending on our client’s goals for the session. There are a few key differences between the two:
Silicone cups are more flexible and have less suction potential than plastic cups. They glide over the muscles, promoting circulation and toxin release, and act as a type of deep tissue massage as they move easily over the skin.
Plastic cups have a pump suction device to reach deeper layers of muscle tissue, and can be applied with as much or as little pressure as needed. These cups are usually placed on tender or tight areas of the body and allowed time to rest before removing.
WHAT TO EXPECT DURING YOUR SESSION
Following your assessment, the therapist will use either plastic or silicone cups, or both, to work on certain areas of the body. The cups will be glided over the skin or placed on a certain area for a period of time.
Once the cups are removed, you may notice the classic “cupping marks” that can appear as gentle bruising on the skin. This indicates that the cups worked their magic, and drew stagnant blood to the surface as the muscle tension was released. These marks should go away on their own in a few days.
After receiving cupping, be sure to drink plenty of water to aid in the removal of any toxins released, and avoid strenuous activity the day of and the day following your session.
Interested in trying cupping? Simply select it as an add-on when you book your session online!
(Continue to) take care,
Perfectly Kneaded
