Cupping FAQ's

Q -What is Cupping Therapy

A - Negative pressure, rather than tissue compression is superior for bodywork for pain, stubborn conditions, repetitive strains, inflammation, toxicity, chronic fatigue, disgestive problems and a slough of other issue we confront as we grow older.

Suction cups rapidly facilitate rigid soft tissue release, loosens & lifts connective tissue, breaks up and drains stagnation while increasing blood & lymph flow to skin & muscles in ways not possible using compression.

Another benefit of Cupping is that it can feel really great when done properly for your constitution and current physiology and/or condition. The pulling action engages the parasympathetic nervous system, thus allowing a deep relaxation to move through the entire body. It is not unusual to fall asleep when receiving this treatment. You will be surprised at how relaxed, warm and light you'll feel – hours... sometimes even days afterwards.

Q -Who does Cupping

Nowadays, health practitioner of many modalities are using Cupping to assist them in providing more effective methods for healing and recovery. Massage Therapists, Acupuncturists, Physiotherapists, Sports Therapists, Nurses, Doctors - you can find a listing of those trained in Cupping (very important) - here.

Q -What does it treat?

A - Cupping is a powerful detoxifying, pain relieving and energy building modality that people all over the world use for health maintenance. But there are also a huge number of conditions that respond positively to Cupping

Q -Where can I get Cupping

A - Printed handouts, oils, and cupping equipment (to be used in lab) - will all be supplied.

Q -Can I get training?

A - Upon completion, you will have the option of purchasing the equipment needed to perform the Baguanfa protocols within the scope of your certification. Additional equipment can be ordered at that time as well.

The cost of equipment starts at $25.00 for the Baguanfa Rubber Cups and goes up from there. Our prices are reflected on the equipment page. Other equipment and products will be discussed and can be ordered.

Q - What can I expect as far as physical effects from the suction cup therapy that I will give and receive in Lab?

A - We have witnessed a myriad of results and various reports by the student bodies post lab.

Different experiences include:
• the need for sleep
• extreme hunger
• nausea
• euphoria
• feelings of being "hung over"
• increased bowel elimination
• no appetite
• "best nights' sleep in a long time"
• inability to sleep
• etc.

Q - What's the explanation of the marks or discolorations that sometimes occur as a result from suction cup therapy?

A - One of the common and unfortunate misconceptions concerning cupping is the misinterpretation of the discoloration. “Bruising” is caused by impact trauma with breakage of capillaries and reactionary rush of fluids to the damaged area from the tissue compression/injury. There is no compression in properly employed suction cup therapy. Although it is quite common during Stationary Cupping (left static for 5 - 20 minutes) to achieve dramatic 'marks' or 'discolourations', the less aggressive action of moving the cups, minimizes the intensity and duration of the discolorations.

Wet Cupping involves the scarification (puncturing) or scoring of the tissue surface, for the purpose of draining out dredged up stagnation acheived during cupping treatments. Since we do not break the skin in Negative Pressure Massage, the dissipation of these fluid deposits must be dispelled and flushed out via the body's own circulatory systems.

Often, when a condition exists within deeper structures where sufficient pathologic factors and stagnant fluids (toxins, blood and lymph) are dredged up during treatment, discoloration will appear on the skin. This is the therapeutically desired effect – the more this is visible, the greater the level of stagnation and toxicity. The discoloration will fade over a few days. As treatments cummulate and the release of stagnation and buildup has been thixolated, dispursed and drained – (usually by the 3rd or 4th treatment) no discoloration is likely to occur at all. Even though each time the cupping may have been focused on the same area for the same duration and with the same amount of negative pressure. This is clearly the result of having internal unwanted toxins systematically purged.

But, regardless of the therapeutic value in drawing these agents out of the body, it is vitally important to educate your clients to the nature of the discoloration and self care. Provide them the understanding of the marks to assist them in relaying accurate information to others who might see it. If there is concern about leaving discolorations on clients, and/or the process of educating these clients is unwanted (including a release form) – then suction cup therapy is not for you.

There are simply people who will not want such marks - no matter how potent the health benefits. And, being uneducated about the marks (like the "significant other" upon seeing it on their back) will perceive this as bruising and can become very concerned. It is the responsibility of the Practitioner to carefully screen, educate and support their clients in this matter.

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Benefits

Since the techniques use negative pressure, rather than tissue compression, superior bodywork ranging from MFR and deep tissue work to MLD is easily accomplished. The suction of the cups rapidly facilitates rigid soft tissue release by stretching it up from underlying structures, thus loosening areas of adhesion or restriction, activating muscle spindle reflexes that relax contractile tissue and retraining the myofacial structures. Further, it stimulates the nervous system reflex to the cerebral cortex, contributing to an increased rate of recovery from pain and disease.

The effects are remarkable on hypertonicity and aching muscles and activate the secretion of synovial fluids, which release joint stiffness in ways not possible using the pressure of traditional massage. It concurrently creates localized expansion of tissue, producing a profound vasodilatation reaction - drawing blood flow to areas of ischemic pain, raising skin temperature, promoting metabolism within the skin tissue for better functioning of sweat and sebaceous glands, flushing capillary beds, draining stagnant blood, toxins and lymph, and re-supplying vital nutrients.

Its use in beauty therapy is based around promoting hormone production, encouraging blood and the secretion of digestive fluids and increased peristaltic movements in the bowels and internal organs, thus removing harmful toxins that speed up the ageing process and other degenerative conditions. Another effective application of the cupping technique is in the treatment of cellulite. A very light suction provides drainage, while heavier application can be used to stimulate circulation and loosen adhesions or “dimpling.” The thighs and hip region should be cupped prior to a wrapping procedure to enhance the absorption of topical products. Another application of Negative Pressure Massage include an extraordinary face lift and drainage treatment and the addition of new equipment that include negative and positive polarity magnet make Biomagnetic Therapy potentials tremendous.

Due to its wide application, many other therapies can greatly benefit from Baguanfa techniques including; Physiotherapy, Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Kinesiology, Acupuncture, Detoxification, Biomagnetic Field Therapy, Chiropractics, Shiatsu, Osteopathy, aesthetic protocols, pre and post surgical care.

Massage Cupping can be combined or used as a supplement to traditional massage sessions. The results from the cups are comparable to other expensive and many times painful treatments that usually require large mechanical devices to deliver the results that you expect and want.

The traditional application involves inserting a flame into a glass cup to heat the air and create a vacuum, whereas the manual vacuum cups employ a hand pump. Other manual cups being introduced include silicone, rubber, and glass cups with rubber bulbs.

Benefits

Since the techniques use negative pressure, rather than tissue compression, superior bodywork ranging from MFR and deep tissue work to MLD is easily accomplished. The suction of the cups rapidly facilitates rigid soft tissue release by stretching it up from underlying structures, thus loosening areas of adhesion or restriction, activating muscle spindle reflexes that relax contractile tissue and retraining the myofacial structures. Further, it stimulates the nervous system reflex to the cerebral cortex, contributing to an increased rate of recovery from pain and disease.

The effects are remarkable on hypertonicity and aching muscles and activate the secretion of synovial fluids, which release joint stiffness in ways not possible using the pressure of traditional massage. It concurrently creates localized expansion of tissue, producing a profound vasodilatation reaction - drawing blood flow to areas of ischemic pain, raising skin temperature, promoting metabolism within the skin tissue for better functioning of sweat and sebaceous glands, flushing capillary beds, draining stagnant blood, toxins and lymph, and re-supplying vital nutrients.

Its use in beauty therapy is based around promoting hormone production, encouraging blood and the secretion of digestive fluids and increased peristaltic movements in the bowels and internal organs, thus removing harmful toxins that speed up the ageing process and other degenerative conditions. Another effective application of the cupping technique is in the treatment of cellulite. A very light suction provides drainage, while heavier application can be used to stimulate circulation and loosen adhesions or “dimpling.” The thighs and hip region should be cupped prior to a wrapping procedure to enhance the absorption of topical products. Another application of Negative Pressure Massage include an extraordinary face lift and drainage treatment and the addition of new equipment that include negative and positive polarity magnet make Biomagnetic Therapy potentials tremendous.

CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR CUPPING

Cupping is contraindicated in cases of severe diseases, i.e. cardiac failure, renal failure, ascites due to hepato-cirrhosis and severe edema, as well as hemorrhagic diseases such as allergic pupura, hemophilia and leukemia, and clients with dermatosis, destruction of skin, or allergic dermatitis. Cupping should not be applied on the portion where hernia exists or has occurred in the past. For pregnant women, work on the the lower abdomen, medial leg and lumbosacral region should be lessened.