How Cupping Massage Therapy Differs from Regular Massages

Massage therapy and cupping have recently gained popularity in Canada and throughout the world. If you consider massage therapy or cupping massage therapy as a treatment option, it is essential to understand the differences between the two. This will help you make a more informative decision about your treatment options.

What is Massage Therapy?

Massage therapy is a form of therapy focused on improving the mobility and flexibility of the patient. The therapy believes that applying quick, precise strokes to specific areas of the body can relieve pain, and mobility can be improved. Massage therapies are performed by licensed and trained professionals who practice manipulation or other manual therapy techniques. Massage therapy is often a part of a more holistic approach to health care, incorporating breathing exercises, meditation, stretching, and other natural treatment methods. Massage therapy is an all-natural, non-invasive therapy that uses minimal mechanical tools and promotes healthy tissue mobility and flexibility.

What is Cupping Massage Therapy?

Cupping therapy, on the other hand, is a technique developed in China used primarily for remedial purposes. While many people believe that cupping is simply rubbing a hot piece of glass on their skin, the actual procedure does not require the application of any heat or substance. Instead, a thin layer of material known as mucilage is heated, causing a slight contraction in the patient’s tissues. The slight contraction causes a reduction in the pressure in the affected area, which allows for the release of natural compounds naturally found in the human body, including relaxing of blood vessels, reduction in swelling and tightness of the muscles.

Cupping Massage Therapy VS. Massage Therapy

• Cupping is a revolutionary new technique that can be used in conjunction with deep tissue massage. While massages relieve muscle tension by applying direct pressure, cupping uses negative pressure and cups the skin to release lactic acid build-up and alleviate chronic pain caused by injuries or inflammation. Cupping is a powerful method of pain relief that allows blood flow to open up, which can speed healing. Regular massages give the therapist a greater understanding of areas that need work and how to relieve them. Massage therapists also have far more extensive knowledge of the body, physiology, and interactions with other systems in the body.
• Cupping is a type of deep tissue massage that uses an upward movement to facilitate healing. Using a cup it suction the skin and creates a pigment for what appears like bruises or rashes on various parts of your body, depending on how much stagnant blood there has been before them at this point. These marks fade after several days with no lasting effects other than appearance alone unless we’re talking about chronic cases where scarring may occur due to injury severity. 

Massage is a type of treatment that involves using slow, deep strokes to knead and compress the inner layers of your muscles. The pressure applied can be pretty intense. This form, on occasion, leaves some light bruising depending upon what body parts are being massaged. But it works for relieving muscle tension or strains such as those related to sports injuries, reducing inflammation in areas like arthritis-prone joints where you’ve had previous damage done by physical stressors such as overuse injury and osteoporosis. If you’ve just finished a workout and want to reduce any unnecessary soreness after the fact, for relaxation purposes.

• Cupping is performed by experienced massage therapists that use cups of various sizes with or without heat to massage muscles and loosen adhesions in the fascia (the tissues lining your muscles). A massage therapist will typically spend about 30 minutes performing cupping and working on your back, neck, and entire body. A regular massage is a form of manual therapy that uses manipulation or other treatment methods to improve the function of muscles and joints to relieve pain, increase mobility and promote general wellness. Massage therapists will typically use their hands or fingers to knead and stroke muscles, utilizing various techniques such as tapping, vibration, and friction.
• When you’re tense, a deep tissue massage is not always enough to release the tension from your muscles. Cupping offers an alternative that can reach up to 4 inches into our tissues and muscle! So after just one treatment session with cupped hands on both elbows at once-you’ll be able to see results much quicker than if we had done nothing else but requested pressure during regular massage.s Thus, if you’re seeking relief from chronic pain or want to increase your flexibility for the time being until we can further analyze what’s going on with your spine and muscles-it is more beneficial rather than harmful.

Massage Therapist in Richmond Hill, Ontario

Cupping massage therapy can be a great way to relax and get rid of aches. At Richmond Hill Massage Therapy, we offer cupping as part of our regular massages and provide it by itself for those who don’t need a complete service. If you’re interested in learning more about how cupping works or would like to book an appointment with one of our qualified massage therapists in Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada, please get in touch with us today.