Cupping is an ancient Chinese medicine technique that's actually been around for over 1000 years. There have NOT been many studies conducted, nor many therapist traditionally trained, which is why most people haven't heard or seen of cupping until the most recent Olympics (Thanks Michael Phelps!).
**I am simply trying to present the facts and theories about cupping. I have not conducted any studies other than the applied usage of cupping to myself and clients over the past 7 years.**
Most people have seen the “markings” or “cup kisses” that look like huge painful bruises and hickies but have no idea what they are from or the purpose. So let's break down what cupping does, the theory behind it, and what it can do for you and your body.
Most people know what foam rolling is, also known as smashing. Foam rolling is considered a myo-fascial release; Myo, meaning muscle, fascial referring to the fascia tissue (Fascia tissue will be explained in the next paragraph). Foam rolling is also what we consider a “positive pressure”, or again “smashing”. This means that force is applied downward onto the muscle. Cupping has similar affects as foam rolling in terms of myo-fascial release; but there are some differences. Cupping is what we consider a “negative pressure”. This means that there is an outside force upward, or “sucking”, and the pressure on the muscle is on the outside, but pulling it upward. So how is it that both “smashing” and “sucking”, complete opposite forces can have the same type of release work? Well let's look at what fascia tissue is.
Fascia is an endless sheath of collagen based connective tissue that runs throughout the whole body. ALL systems of the body converge and interact with fascia tissue, including the musculoskeletal system, circulatory system, and nervous system. Without taking you to full year of an anatomy class let's break down the main parts of the fascia tissue.
There are 4 main “types” of fascia tissue; Structural, inter-structural, visceral, and spinal.
This tissue runs under the skin but above the muscle. It does not innovate or control any part of the muscle, BUT it can affect how the muscle is ALLOWED to move. How?
Since fascia tissue is collagen based, it's main job is to resist tensile forces; it's very stretchy and very strong due to its over lap design (think of thousands of strands of hair). Our muscles and joints are meant to contract and relax, not push outward and resist downward forces. However, fascia tissue can only take so much pressure and force, and will begin to tear. When this happens a “web” of tissue is created in criss-cross spider web design. The same happens when muscles and tendons tear; fascia tissue steps in and creates an internal natural cast until the tissue can heal. But again this “cast” is a web design, not smooth unrestricted single directional tissue, and it now causes the muscular tissue to be attached or “stick” to the surrounding fascia tissue for support. So you now have an area in the body (whether it's the muscle itself or just the surrounding fascia tissue), that has fibers of connective tissue running in a multitude of directions. Imagine tying 100 rubber-bands together, binding them all to one main rubber-band, and then trying to stretch the main rubber-band in ONE direction; it would have a lot of pull and restriction. The same thing happens to the muscles.
Myo-fascial release work has become the most modern usage of cupping. But traditionally there are many uses of cupping such as detoxification, chi restoration, disease and infection prevention, immune support and many more. The idea behind the suction is that the pressure causes 2 main things to happen; it draws old stagnant blood full of toxins to the surface forcing new nutrient rich blood in, and 2. It causes an inflammatory response causing an influx of T-cells (white blood cells) to the area. These are the building block cells. So if there is tearing or injury in the area, the bodies natural response to the suction is an immediate influx of “materials” to heal the area. Yes, causing an inflammatory response ( under a train professional) is a GOOD thing. It is actually the first stage of 3 in healing; Inflammation, repair, remolding. So those “cup kisses” you see after a session, is typically one and/or both of these things happening!
Whoa that's a lot happening! Don't worry, your body does this naturally so you don't have to think about it! But now that we have an idea of what our body does when exposed to injury let's circle back to myo-fascial release and how positive and negative pressure will differ.
You may think you're super healthy, no injuries, no tears, workout every day...... Stop there! You workout. You are tearing your muscles! Don't worry this is GOOD......as long as you don't over do it! Your muscles create what are called micro-tears, or tiny tiny tears in the muscle when you workout. Then when you eat, sleep, and recover, your body sends all the healthy and appropriate nutrients to build the muscle back up; bigger and stronger! Positive pressure, such as foam rolling, also creates these micro-tears. Cupping however, because it is not applying any force ONTO the muscle does NOT create any additional tears.
Foam rolling is not bad by any means, but those of us who have tried to foam roll on very sore and over used muscles like out IT band know how painful it can be. Now cupping won't necessarily be LESS painful, but it will not create more micro-tears leading to more tenderness and soreness. You also eliminate the possibility of going too hard (like you can with foam rolling) and bruising or irritating deeper fibers of muscle.
Cupping suctions upward, releasing stuck fascia tissue from surrounding muscle tissue, but does not apply any pressure onto the actual muscle. We considered this superficial work, and therefore an individual (although they may feel tenderness) can resume normal activities such as working out immediately after a session without risk of negatively affecting muscles. Foam rolling and other positive pressures affect both fascial tissue as well as deep muscular tissue, and can put muscles at a higher risk of injury, or further tearing if workouts are resumed immediately after a session.
There are many different types of cupping, the most traditional being with glass cups and fire, which creates a vacuum. More modern cupping is done with plastic cups and a hand pump, as well as silicone cups, which can be used with applied motion to increase range of motion.
Studies are being conducted more and more, with some saying there are a high percentage of false positives due to a placebo affect. In either case, whether it's your mind, or your muscles that are healing, if you feel better, function better, and believe in your bodies own healing power then keep doing whatever it is you are doing! Cupping although not yet heavily researched, is one of the safest modalities there is.
Because it is not applying force onto a muscle no damage can be done. There are some contraindications such as pregnancy, heart disease, sickness or infection, broken skin, thinning skin, blood thinners, blood clot and pitting edema. Due to its high detoxification, people going through chemo therapy should NOT receive cupping for a minimum of 6 weeks after the last treatment or until doctor approval.
The mystery behind massage nose:
Have you ever gone for massage and after about 15mins you feel as if your nose may never clear again? But when you go to blow out all the mucus and snot, nothing comes out? Well, although there hasn't been any Harvard medical studies conducted specifically to this phenomenon there is actually a very simple, and positive explanation!
When you are receiving a massage, two major things are happening. This first is the therapist is breaking up adhesive tissue or scar tissue. Some of this adhesive tissue could have been “stuck” for days to months to years! And along with the muscle tissue itself is all the stagnant blood, toxins, and dead cells. So as this tissue is broken up, all of the stagnant “junk” is released back into the blood stream so that the body can break it down and process it out as waste.
The second major thing happening, is that from the pressure and strokes of the massage itself, Lymph fluid is being moved throughout the entire body. Lymph is a clear and colorless fluid; the word "lymph" comes from the Latin word lympha, which means "connected to water," according to the National Lymphadema Network.
You may have no idea what lymph is or what is does, so here is a quick simple break down of the lymphatic system:
The lymphatic system is a network of tissues and organs that help to rid the body of toxins. It is also responsible for the distribution of white blood cells throughout the body through the fluid called Lymph. White blood cells is what helps to fight diseases and infections. Lymphatic fluid flows through the body in vessels very similar to our veins in the circulatory system; but these vessels are much more superficial, and require very little external pressure to be affected. The tonsils, spleen and thymus are all part of the lymphatic system.
The tonsils are the first line of defensive for the body, and are the largest collection of lymphatic cells.
The spleen is the largest Lymphatic organ, and this is where white blood cells are produced.
The Thymus is where T-cells (type of white blood cell) are store to mature and then released into the lymphatic system for circulation; T-cells directly help the body with immunity.
The simple break down of how the lymphatic system functions, is plasma flows through the body in a continuous loop. Once the plasma has delivered all the vital nutrients to a cell, picked up any debris, most of the plasma fluid returns to the venous circulation through tiny blood vessels called venules and continues as venous blood. The remainder becomes lymph, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Lymph, unlike the circulatory system, only travels in one direction; up towards the neck. And because it does not have a heart to pump the fluid, it is through the motion of the joints and muscle to keep it moving. Along its way to the neck, it passes through hundreds of lymph nodes (500-700 in a human body) which filter it to remove debris and toxins. Once it reaches the final destination at the neck, it reenters the blood stream as a protein rich, toxin free fluid. From here the cycle continues.
So now that we have a basic understanding of the lymphatic system, I'm sure you're already starting to piece everything together.
As we said, the first thing that is happening during massage is the break down of old stagnant tissue and blood; so we are already upping the “toxin dumping” and causing a higher white blood cell response (more lymph fluid and flow).
Secondly, the pressure and gliding movements from the massage itself will help to move the lymphatic fluid faster; which we already established finishes its cycle at the base of the neck.
So with a higher amount of lymphatic fluid, and a faster flow, with the added pressure of gravity (laying face down) it is very likely that the fluid will start to backup a bit at its drop point in the neck. This can without a doubt cause an external force and create a sensation of clogged sinuses. Which is exactly the reason why 1. nothing comes out when you blow your nose, and 2. when you sit up and allow gravity to help push the lymph fluid back down to reenter the circulatory system, the sensation clears within a minute (remember there is no “pump” to move the fluid”.
So why is this a good thing? Well the Lymphatic system is extremely vital to our bodies immune system and overall survival. So when we have such a great output and response during body treatment, it is a GREAT sign that our bodies are working! On the other end of things, if you receive regular body work and are continuously experiencing severe lymphatic congestion, your body's toxin build up may be too high, and a full body cleanse should be considered, along with some dietary or environmental changes (chemical based body products, laundry detergents, ect.)
Beyond the cost of these products, how is it affecting the longevity of your clothing? Most importantly, how is it affect your HEALTH?
Most of us grew up using fabric softener and just became so accustom to the long lasting scent, wrinkle free, and soft outcome that we could never imagine our clothes without it. But did you ever stop to think what EXACTLY you are putting on your clothes? Do you really think it's natural for bed sheets to smell like lavender for 2 weeks? The answer is no. In fact, true lavender scent only last upwards of 12 hours.
Here is a list of just SOME of the toxic chemicals found in commercial fabric softeners: