Cupping & Gua Sha

CUPPING

Cupping is an ancient therapy that is documented being used over 3,000 years ago. It is a form of body work that uses cups on the body (usually on the back, but can be done on other body parts) to create areas of short-term local congestion which then disperse and break up adhesions and stagnation under the skin.

This helps to ease muscle tension, loosen fascia, lessen the appearance of cellulite, increase immunity, clear pathogens/illnesses (especially ones the get lodged in the lungs), ease stress, detox the blood and skin (lymphatic system), increase digestion, help with constipation, and improve metabolism.

There are mild side effects with cupping; bruising is expected and typically heals within 3-10 days. It is important to drink plenty of fluids and replenish yourself with nutrients and vitamins from fruits and vegetable as cupping detoxes your body. Specific aftercare will be discussed at your treatment.

gua sha

Gua sha, which can translate into ‘scrape petechia’, is another form of body work that uses a tool (usually a porcelain spoon or a jade stone) with a base of oil on the skin. Areas such as the neck, shoulders, and back are rubbed in certain directions with the tool in order to activate blood circulation and disperse areas of stagnation.

Similar to cupping, it helps clears metabolic waste that is stored in the body by forcing blood to come to the surface of the skin (this is the petechia) and allowing for new, oxygenated blood to flow in. Bruising is common and should clear up within 3-10 days.

Gua sha is used in cases of restricted range of motion, muscle tension/knots, acute illnesses, injury, and inflammation.