Total Health Guidance

Earn your spots just like Olympic champion Michael Phelps

– Tony Ambush

The Olympic Games are an amazing gathering of athletes from all over the world.  During the Olympic season I feel connected to the world through sport.  That feeling is amplified when a member of our home team does exceptional work in their sport of choice. While watching Phelps during these 2016 games I have been excited to see all the spots on his body.  I have been a proponent of Traditional Chines Medicine (TCM) and acupuncture for many years.

4 Benefits of Cupping

1. Increases blood flow and circulation
2. Reduces of tension in muscles
3. Improves muscle tone
4. Removes toxins in body by activating the lymphatic system

Cupping is an ancient form of medicine that has been used to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being and as a type of deep-tissue massage. Cupping therapy is typically practiced by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners. The theory behind cupping is that it moves or stimulates the body’s natural energy (Qi).

Cupping therapy involves heating the air inside a glass cup which creates a vacuum. The cup is then quickly placed on the skin resulting in the skin being pulled into the cup.   When removed the cup leaves behind a red, circular welt

Here are two common cupping techniques:

1. Dry – (Fixed/Stationary) – The cups are placed on the skin in various locations, for varying periods of time. Location, cup size & length treatment will vary based on the focus of the treatment for that session.
2. Wet – (Moving/ Gliding) – A lubricant such as massage lotion or oil is placed on the skin before the cups are set in place. After the cups have been placed they are pulled along the skin. This technique offers benefits similar to that of a deep tissue massage.

Cupping therapy may also be done with cups designed to work with a pump instead of heat.  This can allow an individual to apply cupping techniques on their own.

Regardless of which method you choose, be sure to have a professional practitioner work on your body. It is important that you seek advice from your medical doctor or an acupuncture physician before applying any cupping techniques.  Anjanette Mojica, our resident Acupuncture Physician, can help steer you toward a gold medal in your personal health. You might not win an Olympic gold medal, but you’ll feel like a winner when you add cupping therapy to your self-care plan. If you would like to know more about cupping, contact our office at (321) 332-6984.