Medi-Cupping®, also known as Medical Massage Cupping and Vacuum Therapy, is relatively new to the massage therapy world. While its exact origins are unknown, thousands of years ago Chinese Medicine incorporated cupping with the use of fire to create a vacuum in glass cups, which were then applied to the body to divert blood during surgery and move stagnant “Chi” (a.k.a. energy or life-force). Cupping has also been linked to ancient Ayurveda in India and the early Egyptian civilizations.
The fire cupping process has been simplified by using a manual or electric pump to create the vacuum in plastic or glass cups. The massage cups are applied to different areas of the body to increase circulation, release restrictions and scars, soften fascia and connective tissue, move inflammation and increase lymphatic flow. One of the greatest features of Medi-Cupping is its non-invasive nature by way of decompression. Most massage techniques are intrusive, meaning they enter your body’s space through compression into your tissue. Since Vacuum Therapy uses decompression to lift and separate your tissue, it is often painless, while gaining the same results as traditional massage techniques. Very restricted or inflamed areas of the body will sometimes pinch a little at first, but as the tissue softens, most discomfort will resolve.
Medical Cupping or “MediCupping” provides a wonderful bridge to the patient from the medical community, with special applications for pre- and post-surgery conditions and orthopedic work, conditions associated with Diabetes, Parkinson’s, Fibromyalgia, and much more. Results are fast and comfortable for the client and practitioner, and noticeably impressive to medical professionals.
One of the most amazing aspects of this technique is the “separation” that the vacuum produces in tissue layers. This enables water absorption and renewed blood flow to undernourished and dehydrated tissue as well as the elimination of old waste and congestion.
Along with the substantial health benefits of clearing old debris, the use of suction is invaluable in releasing soft tissue, scars and restricted fascia. Sports professionals are benefitting from the ease of recovery from injury or surgery and an increase in athletic performance, and major league sports teams are utilizing the therapy.
One experience will leave you asking … “Why didn’t someone show me this before?”
