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Cupping
The Mechanism of Dry Cupping
Dry cupping involves placing cups (made of glass, plastic, or silicone) on the skin and creating a vacuum or suction. This negative pressure pulls the skin, fascia, and underlying soft tissues upward into the cup, which is the opposite of a traditional massage that applies downward pressure.
How it Complements Osteopathic Treatment
Osteopaths use dry cupping to:
Improve Circulation: The suction draws blood to the targeted area, which can increase the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues. This improved circulation can aid in healing and reduce inflammation.
Release Muscle Tension and Fascia: The pulling sensation from the cups helps to lift and stretch the muscle fibers and fascia (the connective tissue surrounding muscles). This can be particularly effective for relieving deep-seated tension, muscle knots, and adhesions that might be difficult to access with manual techniques alone.
Enhance Joint Mobility: By releasing tightness in the muscles and fascia around a joint, cupping can help improve its range of motion and flexibility.
Reduce Pain: Cupping is believed to help alleviate various types of pain, including back pain, neck pain, and headaches, by improving blood flow and reducing muscle tension. It may also stimulate the nervous system, which can help reduce pain perception.
Promote Detoxification: The therapy is thought to stimulate the lymphatic system, which is responsible for removing waste and toxins from the body
Different Techniques
Osteopaths may use dry cupping in different ways:
Static Cupping: The cups are placed on specific points of the body and left in place for a set period (typically a few minutes).
Moving or Gliding Cupping: An oil or lotion is applied to the skin, allowing the cups to be moved along muscle groups. This combines the effects of cupping with a massage-like action.
Functional Cupping: This technique involves incorporating movement and stretching while the cups are applied, which can lead to a deeper fascial release and improved joint mobility.
Important Considerations
Temporary Marks: It's common for cupping to leave temporary, circular marks on the skin that can look like bruises. These marks are caused by the suction and typically fade within a few days to a couple of weeks.
Safety: While generally safe, cupping is not suitable for everyone. Osteopaths will conduct a thorough assessment to determine if cupping is the right choice for a patient, especially for those with certain skin conditions, bleeding disorders, or for pregnant women
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