Medical Cupping and Gua Sha… “Acupuncture and cupping, more than half the ills cured.” Medical Cupping and Gua Sha…

Medical Cupping What is it? How does it work? How will it benefit me? Will it hurt? Does it leave a mark? Why would I get cupping done? How long has this been around? Other questions?

What is Medical Cupping and how long has it been around? Medical cupping is a therapy using glass cups and a flame to create a vacuum or suction on the skin. Cupping has developed over time with early written records going back to 28 AD. It started with the use of animal horns, then bamboo cups and finally to glass cups.

Cupping during an acupuncture treatment

Cupping techniques… Stationary cup: The cup is vacuumed to a specific acupressure point or muscle knots and left on for 5-10 minutes. Walking cup: The cup is vacuumed to certain acupressure points or muscle knots and is then moved up and down a meridian or across a muscle fiber, all while still attached to the skin. Flying cup: The cup is vacuumed to certain point or knots and is then quickly removed and replaced several times on the same area in order to relieve muscle tension and release body toxins.

How will it benefit me? It’s a way of ‘clearing the drain’. Massage can release and move toxins but if there is significant build up massage is not enough. Traditional Chinese Medicine states it will warm the meridians, dispels stagnation and it increases as well as promotes the flow of Qi and blood.

Additional benefits… Pain relief – Back, shoulder, knee, elbow pain, soft tissue injury, etc. Reduces swelling Headaches Asthma, flu, cough and cold symptoms GI problems Post surgery recovery Hypertension Hives or skin rash Cellulite and stretch marks

Will it hurt? Yes, it most likely will. Whether it hurts and how much can depend on several factors including the amount of toxins and metabolic waste built up, how tight the fascia and muscles are, your level of tolerance and more.

Does it leave a mark? Yes, most of the time cupping will leave a mark or bruised appearance. The greater the build up of toxins, metabolic waste, or blood stagnation, the greater the chance is of marks being left and the darker the coloring may be. The length of time the discoloration lasts depends on your body-how quickly it can cleanse itself and how much it has to cleanse.

Athlete sporting cupping marks.

But if Gwenyth Paltrow can do it…..

Why should I get cupping done? Cupping is an excellent way to gain release and cleanse your body from excessive buildup. Gain relief from pain. Assists in post surgery recovery. Reduce cellulite and stretch marks. Relief from many ailments and health issues. Headache relief and prevention.

Other questions? Let’s discuss any questions or concerns that you may have in more detail. No question is too small nor too great.

Gua Sha How do you say that?! What does it do? That’s got to hurt, right? Will this scar? Why would I do this? How long has this been around? Other questions?

How do you say that? Gwaw---Shaw. Gua means to scrape, rub or friction. Sha means a reddish, elevated, millet-like skin rash. Gua Sha tools are primarily made out of buffalo horns or jade. At times and depending on where you are, soup spoons or coins may be used.

What does it do? Gua Sha will help when there is chronic or acute pain. Provides relief if there is aching, tenderness or a knotty feeling in the muscles. Like cupping, Gua Sha is used to treat and prevent asthma, congestion, colds and flu and promotes the flow of Qi and blood.

That’s got to hurt, right? Surprisingly, Gua Sha is not a painful therapy. The pressure or pull one may feel is much less than that of cupping. There is very little pain felt if any but may feel uncomfortable. It could be compared to being dried off vigorously with a dry towel.

Will this scar? No, Gua Sha treatments will not scar you. Any marks left behind from treatment fade within 2-4 days. If longer than 4 days have past and the coloring is still visible or slow to fade, this would represent a poor blood circulation or a deficiency.

Why would I do this? The same reasons you would get cupping: excellent way to gain release and cleanse your body from excessive buildup. Reduce cellulite and stretch marks. Relief from many ailments and health issues. Performance enhancement: Numerous professional teams seek Gua Sha therapy to enhance the physical performance such as: the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, LA Clippers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, Orlando Magic, and Milwaukee Brewers.

How long has this been around? Gua sha is an ancient healing therapeutic practice which began in China centuries ago. Gua sha is very popular in China and is not only used for healing, but also used for beauty, diet, relaxation and much more.

Other questions?