What is Myofascial CUPPING and how can it help with pain relief?
Myofascial Cupping is an ancient holistic practice that is designed to decompress the layers of the skin. It works by applying a special glass or plastic cup to the skin and, using a suction force, lifting the skin and fascial layers under the skin up into the cup.
This suctioning decompresses the tissues, creating space between the tissue layers. It is performing the opposite of a deep tissue massage – instead of compressing the tissue, it lifts it up and releases the area.
Why does Myofascial Cupping help?
Myofascial Cupping can help just about anyone, but it’s especially effective if you have problems with your posture or if it hurts to sit up straight. Myofascial Cupping can also help relieve pain from scars from surgery and old orthopedic injuries, such as hamstring pulls, neck and back strains and that annoying hip and back pain that just doesn’t go away!
Who performs cupping?
Traditionally, acupuncturist have been using cupping techniques for many, many years to release tension along meridian lines or toxins from the body.
At Rebalance, we use Myofascial Cupping to directly release tightened muscle and fascial regions. We use a pump to create the suction force which can provide a little more control to the amount of suction provided – whether more or less suction is needed to create a change in the tissue.
How does it work?
Myofascial Cupping helps to improve fascial mobility. Your fascia is the connective tissue that holds all the parts of your body together. Myofascial Cupping helps to loosen the tightened fascia, increase blood flow to the area, and release tension in the tight muscles under the fascia.
What are those bruises?
Myofascial Cupping can often leave temporary marks on the skin. They look more like hickeys and are not bruises to the tissue, so they are usually non-painful to touch. They generally range in color from light pink to dark purple or red. They commonly last somewhere between 3-7 days.
The marks are caused by the suction bringing old, non-circulating stagnant blood, fluids, and cells to the surface. We want this “junk” to come up to the surface and clear up space in the fascia and muscles for the good, healthy circulating blood and cells. This will promote faster recovery to the fascia and muscles.
