Liz Seal Holistic Massage
Fire Cupping or Chinese Cupping is an ancient Chinese medicine technique to lift the surface of the skin and allows a fresh blood supply to the muscles below. There are a number of ways that your therapist may use the cups, some of which can result in a reddening or bruised appearance to the area. This technique came to the public eye during the Rio Olympics, when many the swimmers and divers were seen with these red/brown circular marks on their shoulders!
Cupping is an effective treatment to support general health and mobility. It improves circulation in the skin, can help balance ligaments to restore the skeletal system, and improve digestion, blood flow and lymph movement 
The techniques I use regularly do not leave the round red marks, although the area of the treatment will be pinker than the surrounding tissue, due to the increased blood flow to the area. Using the cups to lift the skin allows me to effectively massage over bony areas, such as the spine, which traditional pressure techniques cannot.
The History of Cupping
The earliest records of cupping to relieve muscle tension date back to 3000 years ago, in China, and in Egypt around 1500BC. Originally the treatment was used to remove blood and poisons from the body, although advances in clinical applications have led to a deeper understanding of the therapy over many years.
The use of large glass jars was noted in ancient Greece, to reduce the dislocation of the spinal vertebrae. Early ‘Cups’ were made of horn, allowing the therapist to suck poison, blood and fluid from the body, after making a small incision in the skin. This is NOT how cups are used in my clinic! The cups I use are made of glass, a flame is introduced to the orb, which burns off some of the oxygen. When the cup is placed on the skin, the vacuum created by the flame draws the tissues up into the cup. This creates an odd pulling sensation, which although odd, is not painful. Varying amounts of ‘pressure’ may be used depending on the severity of the symptoms to be treated.
For more information and to see how the treatments I offer may help you, contact me on 07824 714125, or use the calendar to request an appointment.