Cupping with Nicolette Neuford, RMT, MO

Cupping is a component of Chinese, Egyptian, Eastern, Mediterranean medicine dating 1550-3500 BC and used for over 2,000 years to balance “qi” (internal life force/energy) and relieve many muscle and joint concerns.

In recent years dry cupping/clinical cupping has become popular and is used by registered therapists without the use of Chinese medicine components such as acupressure and meridian work. 

Nicolette is trained with the acupressure component which allows her to do both. 

The goal of cupping in a massage therapy setting is to help restore fascia, break down adhesions and increase blood flow. This allows the body to “clean up” metabolites and waste product from injury, posture imbalance etc. 

The risk for cupping is a mark on the skin, usually circular and on a very very rare occasion slight bleeding. Cupping is never done over open wounds, cuts, rashes or fragile skin. Certain health conditions are also contraindicated to use cups.

The marks are not bruises but a result of blood being drawn to the surface creating a hickey like mark. 

The result is varying degrees of pinks to deep purple and may or may not be tender post treatment. 

The colour gives me information on the quality of tissue health. 

The healthy marks are intended to last 3-5 days but can last up to 10-14 as the body continues to heal the area. 

The benefit is a release of tightness and tension which continues over the days that the mark disappears. 

The cups can be used for lymphatic massage or deep tissue. Think of it as a reversed deep tissue massage in which the tissue is pulled up rather than pressed down. 

There can be a range of discomfort - light or deep or none at all. We decide together and the cup pressure is adjusted accordingly.

The cups can be used as a massage or left alone while another area of the body are massaged.

You may feel immediate relief, may feel some soreness or aching during or after the treatment. Soft tissue soreness typically fades within 24 hours. 

Cupping is widely recognized as one of the safest drug-free, non invasive therapies available for muscular complaints and relaxation.