“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”
Will Rogers
CUPPING THERAPY
SOURCE OF HEALTH | SCOTTSDALE, AZ
Cupping Therapy benefits help pain relief and more! Perhaps you saw Michael Phelps in the 2016 Summer Olympics with these mysterious circular bruises on him? Why would someone intentionally get bruises or “hickeys” from cupping? Is it safe and what the cupping therapy benefits? Cupping aka Decompression Myofascial Release is not a new fad or trend in pain management at all. Along with Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine, it is an ancient therapy in Traditional Chinese Medicine that has been used for over 5000 years!
- CUPPING THERAPY
- ACUPUNCTURE
- ADJUSTMENTS
CUPPING THERAPY
CUPPING THERAPY
Cupping Therapy is a unique pain relieving therapy where an assortment of suction cups are first applied to tight muscles and allowed to develop. Over the next few minutes, the cups begin to do their work leaving varying degrees of bruises. The darker the color of the bruise means the more difficulty that area has with circulation. Next, the cups are removed and then one cup is lightly passed across the back like a massage to untether knots of fascia. As therapies are received every 2-4 weeks, the areas become better equipped with blood flow and less knots or restrictions are noted.
ACUPUNCTURE
ACUPUNCTURE
Best known for its pain relieving properties, very thin needles are placed into areas of pain such as muscle spasms or knots. Modern application of acupuncture is called dry needling where the needle is used to improve blood flow into muscles, tendons, or ligaments. The use of electric stimulation may be used to help muscles contract and relax in a wave-like pattern to improve function. This is a very relaxing and quiet therapy and most patients fall asleep or dive into deep meditation.
ADJUSTMENTS
ADJUSTMENTS
From the occasional stiff neck from a bad night’s sleep to chronic pain, a chiropractic adjustment may be the simplest solution to restore function. Oftentimes when the spine goes out of alignment, the nerves send pain signals and compensation patterns develop. With a gentle adjustment and physical therapy, most musculoskeletal conditions can be quickly and safely treated. Neck, ribcage, low back, hips, and even hands and feet can be set back into optimal alignment.CUPPING, ACUPUNCTURE, & ADJUSTMENTS
COMMON QUESTIONS
- How does Cupping Therapy work?By creating a vacuum inside the cup, the skin, muscles, connective tissue, and circulation underneath are put under a bit of stress. This results in a change to the tissue anywhere ranging from pink to red, or even purple.
- What do the different colors of cupping bruises mean?
Cupping Therapy offers both diagnostic as well as therapeutic benefits. Seeing the exact spots that bruise during the cupping treatment allows you and the doctor to determine a better treatment plan in managing and resolving your pain and tension.
A dark purple cupping bruise – very poor circulation and weak capillaries tighten muscles and grow fascial adhesions or “scar tissue” that keep an area sick and full of cell waste metabolites aka “toxins.”
A dark red cupping bruise – inflammation and active muscle strain, fragile capillaries.
A pink spot – little to no impairment in circulation and healthy muscle tissue below. - How often should I get cupping therapy?
Every client has different needs. Before your first session, we'll have an evaluation to discover what you're looking for in your treatment and work with you to prepare an effective schedule. Typically, the average person starting out has cupping every other week. After a few sessions, monthly visits are the preferred frequency and part of a monthly maintenance of health.
- Do the acupuncture needles hurt?
Typically there is no pain or discomfort once the needles are placed. The initial tap of the guide tube is felt more than anything else. The needles used are very fine and cause hardly any discomfort. You'll most likely find your session relaxing and even start falling asleep!
- Are the needles safe?
Acupuncture is regulated by the FDA and only allows each needle to be used once. Our sessions will use fresh, sterilized needles on each patient. Needles are placed into designated points that have been practiced safely for thousands and thousands of years.
BECOME A PATIENT
During your initial discovery session, we’ll listen to your concerns and make sure we are a great fit to help you. We’ll review any recent imaging, labs or other pertinent information. But most importantly, we’ll listen.