So we all may have seen some of the athletes (especially the swimmers) over time with big circle bruises on them and gone ‘ouch that must hurt’ or ‘what is that?!’ This treatment is called Myofascial Cupping and it actually doesn’t hurt too bad.
Myofascial Cupping is a non-invasive technique used to promote nutrient-rich blood flow and increase circulation to tight, over-stretched muscle tissue, commonly found from repetitive movement, whether it be sport, work life or home related. It can be used as a stand-alone treatment or combined with another treatment, to help maintain functional soft tissue and promote optimal hydration to the affected area. This helps to increase range of motion and eliminate trigger points. It is also a great tool used for lymphatic drainage. How cupping works is a little different to a normal massage where the therapist would ‘push down and glide’ using a positive force, the cups are used to ‘lift, stretch and separate’ the fascia (soft tissue), this is known as a negative force. The cups are positioned over the trigger point or tight muscle and then used in various different techniques, mainly being stable or in a gliding motion.
So how do the dark circles come about?
The dark circles that may or may not appear are the treatment drawing out the toxins that are present in the deeper tissues. The cupping suction is used to help draw out all the toxins and the dead blood cells to help make way for fresh blood, new cells and nutrients to assist in healing the body or damaged area. The marks generally last for about 3 days, but can vary due to the severity of the treatment.
That all doesn’t sound too bad does it?
Definitely come in and give Myofascial Cupping a shot to enhance your treatment. As with any treatment it is not suitable for everyone. If you have any more questions or would like to book in, please give our lovely front desk staff a call. We look forward to seeing you at Pro Remedial SA for your next treatment.
Pro Remedial SA, Mel Dawson, Massage Therapist