Ancient Chinese Cupping Massage For Lymphatic Drainage

Traditional Chinese Medicine techniques have brought us cupping or  massage cupping as a great treatment for overall health and wellness.  During this month of August…which is wellness month, our massage team is introducing this treatment with massages to expand your spa wellness experience!

As always, celebrities have been getting the treatment for for awhile including Jennifer Anniston. There is a famous back photo showing the cup marks. (we think a kinder, gentler method is available – read on)

What is Massage Cupping?

Developed thousands of years ago by Chinese and Egyptians, this healing therapy uses glass, plastic or bamboo jars on the skin to create a vacuum that sucks the skin tissue into the jar.  The cups which suction the skin help start toxin removal, alleviate pain and increase the circulatory system.

If you think of a normal massage as a therapists applying pressure to your muscles and tissues, then think of cupping as the opposite to a massage. The therapist will use the cups to pull the skin, tissue and the muscles upwards.  This provides increased circulation and all of the accompanying health benefits.

It is also a very powerful lymphatic drainage treatment as it helps to move excess fluids or toxins from the tissues. This drainage is one of the primary ways the body detoxifies.

What happens During a Spa Massage Treatment?

Cupping that is added to a massage is commonly used as back treatment. Most massage aches and pains involve the back area. For those of you scared by Internet photos of extreme cupping, breathe. A treatment is supposed to be relaxing without any discomfort.

A cup is placed on your body. A tingling sensation may occur, but at Bella Reina Spa, we utilize a Gliding Cupping method. This allows the therapists to move the cups and assist in creating circulation to the fascia. The cups may be left in place, but this is only for a temporary moment.

Your skin may turn red or purple if there is any kind of energy blockage in that area. This should only last a few days and will not hurt. If there are any marks, wait for them to disappear prior to having another treatment.

Each health issue can require a series of treatments. Or you may include this with your bi-weekly massage treatment.

Health Issues that Respond to Cupping

Common health issues that respond well to cupping include the following:

• Stress and/or anxiety
• Pain – especially back pain, the lower back
• Allergies
• Fatigue
• Colds and flu
• Muscle aches and pains

Are there different types of massage cupping?

Different methods are available including fixed and gliding or “moving”.

When the cups are stationary, one area of the body is the total focus. The cups are not moved once they are placed.

Gliding or moving is more beneficial with a massage. The therapist will typically use our organic massage cream along with the cups. The cups can then slide around. This is the most common type of session for a spa wellness treatment.

For more information or to book a Massage with cupping, call the spa at 561-404-7670.