Cupping Therapy

Cupping is a therapy that involves the use of cups applied to a patient’s back or other parts of the body in a series of positions in order to produce suction. The vacuum effect targets areas of skin and deep tissue within the body, which is beneficial for dulling pain, breaking up deep scar tissue, and relaxing tender muscles or connective tissue. In this way, cupping is almost like the opposite of getting a massage since instead of applying pressure to swollen areas, it draws pressure out. For this reason, cupping is often done in patients who experience chronic lower back pain, muscle knots, tightness due to anxiety, swelling or stiffness.   

Cupping has been around for centuries and was first used to remove venom from a snake bite or skin lesions. The use of hollow animal horns were used first and then transitioned into bamboo and has since evolved into glass or plastic cups. The Egyptians and Chinese were the first to use this unique therapy centuries ago. Today, it is used by all walks of life from movie stars to athletes to blue collar and white collar workers.

The suction and negative pressure provided by cupping can loosen muscles, encourage blood flow and sedate the nervous system (which makes it an excellent treatment for high blood pressure). Cupping is also used to relieve back and neck pains, stiff muscles, anxiety, fatigue, migraines, rheumatism and even cellulite.

There are a variety of ways to use cupping, however, at Wilkins Holistic Wellness, we only use vacuum cupping with the AceMedi cupping machine or a manual pump.  With a rich history of medical applications, how does ACE Massage Cupping™ fit into current medical and wellness practices and facilities?

Vacuum therapy is not an irritant to the skin or body. It draws the inflammation out from deep in the tissues to be released. The skin can turn red with strong movements, indicating that circulation has been brought to the surface. Application of liniments, analgesics, plant hydrosols and essential oil blends immediately after treatment will enable absorption of the product deep into the tissue.

Increased local blood supply to the muscles and skin will bring nourishment and allow for toxins to be carried away via the lymph. Conditions of chronic and acute pain can be relieved with minimal discomfort and tense muscles soften quickly and easily. ACE Massage Cupping™ is wonderfully effective to release restrictions in fascia and scar tissue, such as plantar fasciitis.

Larger cups are used for the broad areas of the back, and a strong vacuum will mimic the rolling action of deep tissue massage without the discomfort. The movement may be long and draining or circular and stimulating for stubborn knots and areas of rigid tissue. 

One of the most beneficial applications of vacuum therapy is for preparation and recovery from surgical procedures. Physicians are amazed at the speed and total recovery that their patients exhibit when ACE Vacutherapies™ are used to complement their surgical work. Patients with extreme burns and deep abdominal scars such as C-sections can now benefit from a comfortable therapy to loosen and soften rigid tissue, no matter how old the scar is.

The action on the nervous system is sedating and people often fall into a deep state of relaxation. On a deeper therapeutic level, this nervous system sedation is beneficial for those with high blood pressure, anxiety, insomnia, fatigue, chronic headaches, fibromyalgia and neuralgia. The sensation is truly beyond description! People have often reported a deep warmth and tingling sensation long after the treatment has ended.

Another effective application of ACE Massage Cupping™ is in the treatment of cellulite. A very light suction provides drainage, while heavier application can be used to stimulate circulation, liquefy deposits of solid bloat and loosen adhesions or “dimpling.” Successful and enjoyable body sculpting and contouring is possible, with lasting results and many health benefits!

Treatments using ACE Massage Cupping™ include a revolutionary face lifting and drainage treatment, magnetic micro-cup treatments for the body, and magnetic reflexology for the feet and hands. The magnetic equipment has shown great results in the treatment of scoliosis and past injury sites. In addition, the magnetic therapy yields amazing results with neuropathy, along with pain common with diabetes, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, edema, sciatica, and more.