Only needed if you are scheduling a medical massage.
What is Cupping Treatment?
Cupping treatment is an ancient technique for relieving pain, inflammation, and musculoskeletal sprains and strains. It almost goes without saying that we used cupping to treat such things as sports injuries, but we do! Historically, the ancient Egyptians, Chinese, and other Asian cultures frequently treated injuries, fevers, and other common ailments with cupping treatment.
Cupping, often referred to as myofascial decompression, is seeing a significant resurgence in modern therapeutics. Mechanically speaking, it involves the use of cups (materials used vary from plastic to glass, ceramic, or even bamboo) which are applied directly to the skin to create “negative” pressure suction. Think of a hands-on massage as “positive” pressure and manipulation of the muscles, while with cupping it is the opposite — the skin and muscle tissues are actually drawn upwards and into the cups. Either way, positive pressure or negative, localized blood flow is increased.
Where may cups be placed on the body?
Cups are frequently on the shoulders, back, and legs but may be placed on almost any muscular area where cups can be easily applied.
Cupping Methods
There are primarily two types of cupping methods, which include wet and dry. Here at Team Balance Massage Therapy we use dry cupping, exclusively. As mentioned before, cupping draws the skin partially into the cup. The skin is held in place via suction for a pre-determined amount of time that can range from just a few minutes to 15 minutes.
Benefits of Cupping Treatment
Potential benefits include:
What are the risks and drawbacks to cupping treatment, if any?
The risks of receiving cupping treatments may be minimal, but please be advised that cupping can cause bruising to the skin. This is normal. Also, while cupping can increase the risk of skin infection, this is primarily if using the “wet” cupping method which we do not perform here.
Should I get cupping therapy?
Cupping is generally considered a safe physical medicine modality. However, cupping is not appropriate for people with a history of liver, kidney or heart failure or for those individuals who have a pacemaker installed. If you have been diagnosed with hemophilia, anemia or any other blood disorders it is not recommended without first consulting a qualified physician. Individuals with heart disease or who take blood thinners are similarly not advised to pursue cupping. Women who are pregnant should also avoid cupping treatment to the lower back and abdominal areas.
Scheduling a Cupping Treatment: What You'll Need (first appointment)
The forms you need to schedule sessions with Team Balance Massage Therapy are below.
Please download/print, and bring your forms in when you are scheduled to receive massage.
If you are unable to print at home, you can complete the forms when you arrive for your first session.
Try to arrive 10 to 15 minutes early if you cannot not pre-print your forms.
For everyone.
For everyone.
For everyone.
For everyone.
Only needed if you are scheduling a cupping session.
Ready to schedule a cupping session?
Your cupping treatment session will be performed by Frank Dotts, licensed massage therapist. Schedule your appointment now!