Cupping is essentially a reverse deep tissue massage with lymphatic drainage effects by using a suction device to expand the tissue and create space for circulation and blood flow. It creates a controlled inflammatory response to specific areas that need special attention. Cupping can help with everything from muscle tension to cold/flu, migraines, twisted ankle etc. Anything related to the circulatory system, musculoskeletal system and immune system can be benefitted by the use of cupping therapy.
Gua sha is a healing technique of traditional East Asian medicine. Sometimes called ‘coining, spooning or scraping’, Gua sha is defined as instrument-assisted unidirectional press-stroking of a lubricated area of the body surface to intentionally create transitory therapeutic petechiae called ‘sha’ representing extravasation of blood in the subcutis.
Raising sha removes blood stagnation considered pathogenic in traditional East Asian medicine. Modern research shows the transitory therapeutic petechiae produce an anti inflammatory and immune protective effect that persists for days following a single Gua sha treatment accounting for the immediate relief that patients feel from pain, stiffness, fever, chill, cough, wheeze, nausea and vomiting etc, and why Gua sha is effective in acute and chronic internal organ disorders including liver inflammation in hepatitis.
