Cupping is much like the inverse of massage - rather than applying pressure to muscles, the suction uses gentle pressure to pull the skin, tissue and muscles upward. For most patients, this creates a particularly relaxing and relieving sensation and is what makes cupping one of the best deep-tissue therapies available. It is thought to affect tissues up to four inches deep from the external skin. This helps to dispel stagnation — stagnant blood and lymph, thereby improving circulation, blockages can be cleared, and veins and arteries can be refreshed within these four inches of affected materials.
Generally, cupping is combined with acupressure in one treatment, but it can also be used alone. The suction and negative pressure provided by cupping can loosen muscles, encourage blood flow, and sedate the nervous system (which makes it an excellent treatment for high blood pressure).
Cupping is most commonly used to relieve:
• back and neck pain
• stiff muscles
• anxiety
• fatigue
• migraines
• rheumatism
• cellulite. (For weight loss and cellulite treatments, oil is first applied to the skin, and then the cups are moved up and down the surrounding area.)
Cupping causes the skin to temporarily turn red, blue or purple, especially if there is an injury or energetic blockage under the area that was cupped. The skin discoloration can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks, but is rarely painful. Once the marks have cleared, the procedure can be repeated until the condition or ailment is resolved.
You ought to consider exploring the benefits of cupping if you seek relief from stress, pain, allergies, fatigue/sleeplessness, flu, colds, back pain, anxiety, muscle aches, headaches or migraines.
Call (805) 380-7737. or email Sarah at sarah.ibarbeauty@gmail.com
