Understanding Cupping Therapy: More than Traditional Fire Cupping
When most people think of cupping, they often imagine the traditional Chinese Medicine practice of fire cupping—where heated cups create suction on stationary points. However, massaging with suction cups, often called glide cupping, cupping massage, running cups, moving cups, or pneumatic therapy, involves moving cups along tissues rather than applying static suction.
Unlike traditional massage, which primarily uses compression into the body, cupping massage works by lifting and decompressing tissue layers. This technique loosens adhesions and fascial restrictions, elevates tissue structures including myofascial layers, and facilitates the release of tight, rigid muscles.
Cupping massage promotes the movement of stagnant or congested blood and lymphatic fluids, helping restore circulation to affected tissues. This enhanced flow assists healing and reduces muscle discomfort.
Initially, cupping massage may cause mild discomfort as tissues adjust, but most clients report feeling profound relief and relaxation after one or two sessions. This therapy offers a unique approach to soft tissue mobilization and myofascial release, complementing conventional massage techniques with its gentle lifting effect.
When most people think of cupping, they often imagine the traditional Chinese Medicine practice of fire cupping—where heated cups create suction on stationary points. However, massaging with suction cups, often called glide cupping, cupping massage, running cups, moving cups, or pneumatic therapy, involves moving cups along tissues rather than applying static suction.
Unlike traditional massage, which primarily uses compression into the body, cupping massage works by lifting and decompressing tissue layers. This technique loosens adhesions and fascial restrictions, elevates tissue structures including myofascial layers, and facilitates the release of tight, rigid muscles.
Cupping massage promotes the movement of stagnant or congested blood and lymphatic fluids, helping restore circulation to affected tissues. This enhanced flow assists healing and reduces muscle discomfort.
Initially, cupping massage may cause mild discomfort as tissues adjust, but most clients report feeling profound relief and relaxation after one or two sessions. This therapy offers a unique approach to soft tissue mobilization and myofascial release, complementing conventional massage techniques with its gentle lifting effect.
