MASSAGE MONDAY – What is cupping?

Made widely popular in the Western world by Michael Phelps at the RIO games!

But what actually is it?

Cupping therapy is a Traditional Chinese Medical therapy that has been used as a stand-alone treatment method and an additional treatment to Acupuncture for thousands of years.

Its most common application is the reduction of acute and chronic muscle pain due to muscle tension, trigger points, poor circulation, metabolic waste build-up and inflammation. While it is commonly used for pain, cupping therapy has a much wider treatment claim addressing: respiratory conditions, headaches, digestive complaints, common colds, and neuropathy.