Massage Cupping is a safe and wonderful treatment that I use on the muscles of the back. Cupping employs the use of a plastic or glass cup that looks like a miniature gold fish bowl. The lack of pressure in the cup creates a vacuum that slightly pulls the skin and muscle tissue into the cup. This suction draws stagnant blood and fluid to the surface where the body can more easily remove it. Instead of compressing, pushing, or stripping the body tissue against bone structure and against itself, as we do in normal hands-on massage therapy, cupping allows us to pull the body tissue out and away from the body. Cupping is a classic deep tissue massage technique in reverse!

As with all types of massage, this type of massage is not for everyone, so make sure your massage practitioner is aware of all your medical conditions. Conditions for which massage cupping is inappropriate include inflamed skin, high fever, convulsions or cramping, and easy bleeding. Also, cupping is not appropriate on the abdominal area or lower back of pregnant women.

Ask to have Bamboo massage incorporated into your next hands-on massage treatment. You'll be glad you did!