Cupping Therapy in Northwest Calgary
Stimulate healing, break up restrictive scar tissue, flush out toxins and experience a relief of pain with cupping at Beacon Hill Chiropractic and Massage. There are two types of cupping available: stationary and dynamic. As the name indicates, stationary means that the cups are left in place during a session. Dynamic cupping involves the cups being moved along your skin to derive therapeutic benefits.
The Healing Effects of Cupping
When cups are applied and a suction force is created, blood moves to the surface of the skin. Oxygen supply and cell metabolism are increased, which will diminish inflammatory toxins. The tissues in the area will be stimulated to heal while fascia and scar tissue are broken down.
Where scar tissue has built up, cupping can help to break up and separate these layers from the muscle. You can experience benefits such as
- Better blood circulation
- Pain relief
- The treatment of chronic pain
- Speeding up muscle recovery
- Improving joint mobility
- Detoxification of skin
The Many Applications of Cupping
For the most part, cupping is used for people who have musculoskeletal issues. The conditions it may address are as varied as sleep issues, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, Dupuytren’s contracture and plantar fasciitis. The cups can be applied to any part of the body, though the back is one of the most commonly treated areas. You can also have cupping done on your shoulders, arms, legs and feet.
A range of ages can benefit from cupping. We generally don’t start until a patient has turned 18, though there are exceptions – for example, some teenagers are weightlifters who use cupping for tissue recovery. In such a case, we simply need a parent’s consent. Typically, cupping isn’t recommended for anyone over 60 years because they tend to have softer skin. You should also avoid cupping if you have psoriasis, eczema, circulation problems, failing organs, cancer or injury such as a broken bone or sprain.
What to Expect
When we book your session, cupping can take 30 to 90 minutes. Note that cupping isn’t done the entire time. We’ll begin with a massage to warm up your muscle tissue and get blood flowing. Then, we’ll apply the cups and let them sit for a bit, followed by gliding them along the skin. Finally, the area will be flushed out by hand. Swedish massage is typically mixed with cupping for the best results.
The healing time after a cupping session can be a few days up to two weeks. You may notice some marks afterward. They’ll be circular with stationary cupping or may be a trail of reddish bruising with dynamic cupping. The marks are usually more noticeable if you’ve never had cupping done before, but will fade as you get accustomed to it.
There is not typically any pain involved in cupping, though you may feel some discomfort when a cup is applied to an area that lacks proper blood circulation. You can repeat cupping as needed. Some people want to have it done every week, while others come in every couple of months. We’ll talk about what’s best for you at a follow-up subsequent to your initial visit.
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Experience the benefits of our integrated, team approach to care. Contact Beacon Hill Chiropractic and Massage today to learn more about the benefits of cupping Northwest Calgary!
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