Debbie WebberMyofascial cupping is a soft tissue therapy that involves the application of decompressed cups on the skin, creating a vacuum effect that ‘lifts up’ underlying tissues such as the fascia (connective tissue) and muscles, blood and other fluid, close to the surface of the skin. Myofascial cupping is typically applied on back, shoulder, neck, sacrum, hip, abdomen, legs and arms.
Cupping has been used for centuries among both Eastern and Western-based health care practitioners. The earliest use of cupping that is recorded dates back to 300 B.C., a Taoist alchemist and herbalist, Ge Hong, described the method in his book, “A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies”, in which the cups used were actually animal horns. But there is reason to believe that the practice dates from as early as 3000 BC. The Ebers Papyrus, written c. 1550 BC and one of the oldest medical textbooks in the Western world, describes the Egyptians’ use of cupping while in ancient Greece, Hippocrates (c. 400 BC) used cupping for internal disease and structural problems.
Chinese medicine developed cups made of bamboo, bronze or pottery and successively, during the 20th century, new glass cups were developed. The glass cups were depressurised by providing some fire in the cup to heat up the air within just prior to placement.
Using massage techniques, areas of muscular restriction and tension are located, and myofascial cupping techniques are then applied by moving the cups in a gliding motion over the surface of the skin or, where fascial adhesion and trigger points are found, the cups may be left on specific areas for short periods of time to reduce or eliminate those adhesions or trigger points. Cupping therapy is still very effective even if the cups are not left in place for very long.
Cupping works by stimulating inhibitory neural pathways, altering pain thresholds, promoting blood circulation, relieving swelling and increasing tissue temperature. The myofascial cupping technique reduces discomfort in the target tissues and has been shown in multiple scientific research studies that it has good effect in relieving chronic pain and consequently improving a client’s quality of life.
Myofascial cupping also has an effect on the lymphatic system. The cups are said to help draw toxins out of the muscle fibres and to increase blood flow toward the region by reducing tension, pain and tenderness to the affected muscle. Range of movement and mobility are improved by directly reducing any fascial adhesions, increasing the tissue temperature and the decreasing the viscosity of the tissues.
To connect with or book an appointment with the Zen Chi team please go to: www.zen-chi.net.au
Barbara Brewster
Davina Herbert
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