Cupping Massage 101: Topicals, Negative Pressure, Sliding & Stationary Introduction
“The rule of the artery is supreme.”
The founder of Osteopathic Medicine, Andrew Taylor Stills
In other words, Circulation is ALL
Cupping creates a vacuum suction and provides negative pressure, sometimes creating changes in skin coloration, or ecchymosis. This process invites blood to flow from as far as 4 inches deep to the skin lifting and drawing circulation from the arteries to the more superficial capillaries, fascial, and meridians. This enhanced circulation distributes greater levels of nutrition, oxygenation, qi flow into the surrounding areas, while simultaneously encouraging detoxification of cellular waste and excess fluid.
Sliding Cupping- After applying the cups to the skin, we begin to immediately move the cups in specific directions. This approach enhances the negative pressure effect to generate circulation of blood, lymph and chi, and is very versatile for any massage therapy session.
When beginning to give relief to a painful project with an Advanced Targeted Therapy, apply your topical early and (if available) often, particularly in 360-degrees around the available and appropriate tissue.
Sliding and Stationary Approaches