Have you heard of Myofascial Cupping?

Good afternoon! Have you heard of Myofascial cupping? There are several different types of ‘cupping’ methods available in the health and wellness field, each addressing various systems in the body so it’s important to understand what you’re signing up for when you book in for a 'Myofascial Cupping' treatment. 

The word ‘myo’ simply means of muscles or relating to muscles and ‘fascia’ is a word used to described the sheet of connective tissue that lies beneath the skin and attaches to, stabilizes, encloses, and separates muscles and other internal organs. In other words it keeps us neat and tidy, gives us our form and very importantly - our function. A system once grossly underestimated and misunderstood now recently believed to be one of the most sophisticated systems of the human body! I digress, another post perhaps.. cupping cupping cupping!

So in other words, Myofascial cupping simply put, is a unique soft tissue therapy that places cups on the surface of the skin to create a negative pressure (suction). It’s stand out feature from other cupping techniques is that the cups may also be used with oil to glide along the surface of the skin. This technique lifts and separates the tissue fibres (like no other massage technique can - in my humble opinion) encouraging healing by stretching and hydrating the skin, fascia and muscle whilst reducing adhesions and mobilising congested blood and lymph fluid in the process. 

Wow! I can literally see and feel the results while you’re on the table! 

Let's get more specific. Myofascial cupping does not use scalpels or needles. In fact, most people report it to be more gentle than regular remedial techniques such as trigger point release or deep tissue. It should be noted that cupping can leave light to dark red marks on the skin which usually disappear within a week. This is caused by the negative pressure/suction which increases the blood flow, loosens the fascia or connective tissue, and is thought to stimulate healing and reduce pain. Cupping can be applied to most areas of the body, however more typically on the shoulders, neck, back, sacrum, hip, thigh, calves and feet.

Where I have observed cupping to be most profound is on tissue that has become ropey, wooden, painful or gluey due to continuous overuse or misuse usually by repetitive movements. It is also brilliant in treating chronic pain and injuries and perfect for athletes and anyone engaging their body manually - so that's everyone! It assists in maintaining range of motion, reducing or eliminating active trigger points, and reducing sometimes painful fascial adhesions. You will feel the difference as soon as you're off the table!

At Touch Therapy Remedial Massage all myofascial cupping is integrated with traditional massage techniques and the use of oil/cream so that the client can still experiences the therapeutic flowing hands on approach we all know and love! Many people find it deeply relaxing and restorative. This beautiful and profound technique has been used for thousands of years, so if you’ve been curious or believe it could assist you on your healing journey what are you waiting for?!

In case it wasn’t clear, I'm a big fan!