Find and release tension in your body
Cupping has the sensation of your skin tightening up and scraping is a fast gentle scratch. If you are worried about the marks staying for too long, take a hot shower or go for a run within the next few days after treatment.
At Innovation Wellness & Health, we use traditional cupping for optimal results. This involves a flame and glass cups. The cups are heated over a flame composed of a cotton ball dipped in alcohol, held by the practitioner with forceps.
When the heat is placed inside of the cup, the oxygen disperses, creating a suction or vacuum effect when placed on the affected muscle.
Often a perfectly round mark will appear on the skin where the cup was positioned. The colour of this mark can often signify the severity of your condition. Cups are applied for no more than 10 minutes per session.
Come in stressed, leave revitalised
The benefits of both Cupping Therapy and ‘Gua Sha’ are immediate. When used for muscular aches, you will feel your body relax and open up. Lymph passages are facilitated and unblocked, creating an efficient cleanup system for your muscles. Performing ‘Gua Sha’ takes between 5-10 minutes depending on the area being worked on.
The ‘Gua Sha’ or “scratching” process begins by applying oil on the muscles being worked on to reduce friction.
It then involves a smooth narrow edged object, often made from jade stone, to gently but repetitively slide over or ‘scratch’ the muscled problem area.
Depending on the condition, a temporary trial of darkness may appear on the problematic site.
A few facts
Chinese medicine’s original use of these two techniques were to speed up recovery of those suffering from the common cold or flu based on the layering in the meridian theory. Modern use presents the benefits of treating muscular pain effectively.
Those with broken, irritated and infected skin should avoid these services until healed.
Frequency Asked Questions
There should be absolutely no pain when receiving either of these services, Cupping Therapy and Gua Sha (Scraping)
Patients going through cancer programs such as chemotherapy are advised to not attend cupping / ‘Gua Sha’ sessions.
Pregnancy and those who have clots are recommended to enquire the safety of proceeding from their regular general practitioner.