cupping
Cupping is an Eastern Medicine therapy in which a glass, plastic, or silicone cup is attached to the skin surface to accumulate blood in a specific area through suction. The blood then pools to the surface and in healthy tissues, when the cups are removed, the blood flows back through the rest of the muscle and the color dissipates and returns to the normal skin color. When there is some stagnation, blockage of blood flow, or injury to the muscles, the blood remains in the area and causes marks on the skin, called sha. These sha rings are not bruises.
Cupping leaves marks because the suction causes the capillaries to break under the skin, but unlike a bruise, there is no trauma to the tissues or nerve endings. Essentially, cupping pulls out the congested blood that is left in the muscles and provides room for fresh, nutrient-rich blood to enter the muscles. With facial cupping, however, the cups continue to move so there are no visual marks on the skin. It provides the increased circulation without the sha marks.
Cupping offers many benefits:
- Helps relieve muscle tension and stiffness
- Promotes faster healing of strains and sprains
- Improves circulation of blood and movement of lymph fluids
- Provides greater joint flexibility and range of motion
- Strengthens the immune system
Cupping Therapy is an integral service at A Touch of Therapy. We offer cupping for the body as well as facial cupping.
facial cupping
- brightens the skin
- minimizes the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- boosts collagen production
- reduces puffiness
- reduces pore size.
