MYOFASCIAL DRY CUPPING TREATMENT

Myofascial Dry Cupping is an ancient form of alternative therapy which dates back to Ancient Egyptian, Chinese & Middle Eastern cultures. During cupping therapy, therapists apply glass, bamboo or silicone cups to the skin for a few minutes to create suction.
 
The application of cups can be used to treat a variety of conditions such as:-
•    Muscle Pain & Tension
•    Reduced Joint Movement
•    Headaches
•    Back Pain & Sciatica
•    Stress & Anxiety
 
There are 2 types of cupping therapy and that is Wet Cupping & Dry Cupping. During Wet Cupping, the skin is slit slightly and the cup is placed over the area in order to bleed the area. During Dry Cupping, the cups are placed over several areas to create a vacuum that lifts the soft tissue & creates an upward stretch within the muscle & associated fascia. This vacuum lift helps to increase in blood flow & induce a stretch effect, which results in a reduction in muscle tension & associated pain.
 
Dry Cupping is used here at Cotswold Sports & Beauty Therapy using the suction cup procedure. This is where the oxygen is sucked out of the cup with a pump which eliminating any burn risk to you. Cupping is a technique which is used in conjunction with massage therapy. My aim is to target the musculoskeletal system to reduce muscular tension & restore range of movement.
 
Cupping pulls blood to a region to stimulate healing. It is effective at stretching tight fascia & muscles. Cupping helps the tissue develop new blood flow & stimulates the healing process. Cupping is generally painless & many versions of Cupping can be found in different cultures such as Latin America, Europe, the Middle East & Asia. Dry Cupping helps aid soft tissue injuries, reduce pain or discomfort by:-
 
•    Increasing localised circulation
•    Increasing oxygenation & nutrient content within the tissue
•    Removing stagnant blood & waste products
•    Re-initiating the healing process
•    Stretches fascia & connective tissue, which leads to a relaxation response.
 
During Dry Cupping, the cups can either be left in a static position (this is where the cup is left stationary); movement to provide a deep tissue massage effect; and flash/walking (this is where multiple cups are placed along the muscle. Then the first cup is removed and reapplied in front of the last cup providing continuous movement of cups). Both the static & movement applications of cupping therapy complement other therapy techniques such as Sports Massage, Deep Tissue Massage & Dry Needling.
 
Myofascial Dry Cupping here at Cotswold Sports & Beauty Therapy has additional techniques involved within Dry Cupping Therapy. Active movement which is a sliding technique is used whilst the client actively moves the associated joint. Soft Tissue Release which is where the muscle is put into a shortened & relaxed position, whilst multiple cups are applied, then the joint is moved actively or passively. This is great at producing a quicker stretch response & restoring range of movement. Then there is movement which is where static dry cupping is combined with stretching modalities. Using these techniques, the stretch that is produced in the soft tissue & the fascia leads to a relaxation effect within the muscle, which results improved range of motion & performance.
 
Initially the vacuum application of the cup pulls blood into an area. This leads to the effected tissue becoming saturated with fresh blood. This saturation can often leave a circular mark, which is consistent with a hicky or a love bite mark. However, this usually disappears after a day or so, & happens to a lesser extent on subsequent treatments. These marks can take up to 21 days for them to disappear. In many cases, within about a week.

This treatment is carried out with Sports Massage Therapy combined with Myofascial Dry Cupping.