As Promised, More Information on "Cupping"
Amazing how time flies, and YOU are managing to keep your times under 5 minutes! What an awesome feat! Speaking of “feet”, are you massaging yours before every race? I know you are using the cupping set I bestowed upon you for your journey. Cupping is a remarkable supplement to massage therapy. I find that it prepares the tissue in a more profound way than with just hands on massage alone. Using a cup on the skin and creating a suction effect can prepare the tissue for manual massage therapy.
This incredible technique has an unclear origination. We know that the Chinese had it, then the Egyptians and the Greeks. The first cups were horns of animals hollowed out. Then bamboo cups were used. The air was sucked out by mouth to achieve suction with both these types of cups. Glass cups were then created, which are still used today. A flaming cotton ball infused with alcohol is placed inside the glass cup to create a vacuum effect. I use a manual cup set made of plastic in which air is removed manually with a gun. Cupping historically had many medicinal applications. Today, however, cupping is typically used in combination with acupuncture. Cupping has now merged with massage therapy as a way to manipulate soft tissue. I have found cupping a great adjunct to massage therapy integrating it into neuromuscular therapy and myofacsial release work.
Cupping works simply by placing a cup on the skin then creating a suction effect hence lifting the skin creating negative pressure. This suction lifts the skin, fascia, connective tissue, muscle and all fluid within the tissue. When the cup is stationary or “parked” on the skin, this allows the cup to focus on stagnant muscle tissue. I use this method over neuromuscular trigger points to get the best effect. It releases the muscle in a fraction of the time. Either used stationary on the body or gliding over soft tissue to enhance blood flow to the area. It expedites the release of tight muscle tissue. This allows the therapist to perform deeper manual work. All this while less discomfort to the client as compared to deep work alone.
There are various modalities and techniques of massage cupping therapy many ranging from facials and cellulite reduction. I have integrated massage cupping therapy into the sports massage work I was already doing to produce a more effective massage session and again with less distress to the client. Massage Cupping Therapy can be done with massage or used alone for focused release of a muscle. I have recommended David use cupping alone after every race even when massage therapy is not available at that time. Using the cups on a trigger point of usual tight areas like gluteus minimums and piriformis after a race will bring relief so to better recover for the next event so quickly.
This incredible technique has an unclear origination. We know that the Chinese had it, then the Egyptians and the Greeks. The first cups were horns of animals hollowed out. Then bamboo cups were used. The air was sucked out by mouth to achieve suction with both these types of cups. Glass cups were then created, which are still used today. A flaming cotton ball infused with alcohol is placed inside the glass cup to create a vacuum effect. I use a manual cup set made of plastic in which air is removed manually with a gun. Cupping historically had many medicinal applications. Today, however, cupping is typically used in combination with acupuncture. Cupping has now merged with massage therapy as a way to manipulate soft tissue. I have found cupping a great adjunct to massage therapy integrating it into neuromuscular therapy and myofacsial release work.
Cupping works simply by placing a cup on the skin then creating a suction effect hence lifting the skin creating negative pressure. This suction lifts the skin, fascia, connective tissue, muscle and all fluid within the tissue. When the cup is stationary or “parked” on the skin, this allows the cup to focus on stagnant muscle tissue. I use this method over neuromuscular trigger points to get the best effect. It releases the muscle in a fraction of the time. Either used stationary on the body or gliding over soft tissue to enhance blood flow to the area. It expedites the release of tight muscle tissue. This allows the therapist to perform deeper manual work. All this while less discomfort to the client as compared to deep work alone.
There are various modalities and techniques of massage cupping therapy many ranging from facials and cellulite reduction. I have integrated massage cupping therapy into the sports massage work I was already doing to produce a more effective massage session and again with less distress to the client. Massage Cupping Therapy can be done with massage or used alone for focused release of a muscle. I have recommended David use cupping alone after every race even when massage therapy is not available at that time. Using the cups on a trigger point of usual tight areas like gluteus minimums and piriformis after a race will bring relief so to better recover for the next event so quickly.
Posted by Stacie Nevelus at 7/14/2008 2:19 AM 
Categories: Author - Stacie Nevelus, Topic - Massage Therapy
Categories: Author - Stacie Nevelus, Topic - Massage Therapy
Words of comfort, skillfully administered, are the oldest therapy known to man.
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well said..i agree with it and use cupping for tighten muscles..work wonders!!
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