Cupping massage (synonyms: suction cup massage, vacuum massage) is a physical therapy procedure that is based on alternative medicine cupping. Cupping is one of the methods of elimination and has a long tradition, including in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). During cupping, a negative pressure is created under so-called cupping glasses or cupping bells. This is created either by heating the air in the bell or, in modern devices, by mechanical suction. A distinction is made between bloody and dry cupping. In bloody cupping, the skin is incised before the cupping glasses are applied, so that the negative pressure draws the blood from the injury. Thus, bloody cupping represents a form of bloodletting. Cupping massage combines dry cupping (application to intact skin) with a circulation-enhancing massage similar to connective tissue massage.
Indications (areas of application)
- Arthritides (inflammation of the joints)
- Acne
- Bronchial asthma
- Circulatory disorders
- Headache
- Migraine
- Muscle disorders – e.g. myogeloses (nodular or bulging, clearly circumscribed hardening in the muscles; colloquially also referred to as hard tension), myalgias (muscle pain) in the area of the back.
- Neuralgic pain (nerve pain).
- Rheumatic joint disease
- Spinal diseases
Contraindications
- Acute local inflammation
- Impairment of skin sensitivity (skin sensitivity).
- Increased bleeding tendency – e.g., due to anticoagulant therapy (treatment with anticoagulant drugs).
- Fresh injuries, sunburn
- Skin diseases – e.g. psoriasis (psoriasis).
- Skin tumors
- Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS); synonyms: Algoneurodystrophy, Sudeck’s disease, Sudeck’s dystrophy, Sudeck-Leriche syndrome, sympathetic reflex dystrophy (SRD)) – neurological-orthopedic clinical picture, which is based on an inflammatory reaction after injury to an extremity and in addition, the central pain processing is involved in the event; represents a symptomatology in which there are severe circulatory disturbances, edema (fluid retention) and functional restrictions after the intervention, as well as hypersensitivity to touch or pain stimuli; Occur in up to five percent of patients after distal radius fractures, but also after fractures or minor trauma to the lower extremity; early functional treatment (physical and occupational therapy), with medications for neuropathic pain (“nerve pain) and with topical (“local”) therapies lead to better long-term results.
- Phlebitis (inflammation of the veins).
- Thrombosis (vascular blockage due to a blood clot, e.g. in the deep veins of the leg).
Before therapy
There are no special measures to be taken before therapy.
The procedure
Common treatment sites for cupping massage are the back or thighs. The patient should be in a position that is comfortable for him. The skin area to be massaged is initially rubbed with an oil (e.g., peppermint oil) or ointment to ensure adequate lubrication. Then the cupping bells are placed on the intact skin and pushed, pulled or moved in circles, for example, in a massage-like manner. The massage should be stopped when a clear reddening or bluish discoloration of the skin becomes visible. Slight pain (pulling, burning) during and after the massage is possible. If a region is particularly painful, conclusions can be drawn about the location of the disease. In addition to the mechanical effect of massage, the effectiveness of cupping massage is based on influencing so-called cutivisceral reflexes. This means that by stimulating nerve connections of the skin to the internal organs, functional disorders of the same are to be treated and eliminated. The following effects of cupping massage can be mentioned:
- Formation of extravasation (Latin extra: “outside”; vas: “vessel”; fluid accumulation outside the vessels).
- Influencing the reflex zones and thereby the associated organ systems.
- Promotion of local tissue metabolism
- Local hyperemia (increase blood flow).
- Mechanical effect on the muscles (relaxation, relaxation).
- Increasing the lymphatic drainage
Furthermore, according to TCM, the meridians (pathways for the vital energy “Qi”) and thus the associated organs are influenced by the massage. In physical therapy methods using mechanical suction, a dynamic vacuum is often used: in this case, a swelling vacuum promotes blood circulation and lymph flow in the treated region. A cupping massage lasts for 10-15 minutes.
After the therapy
There are no special measures to be taken after the therapy.
Possible complications
- Bluish discoloration of the skin
- Hematoma formation (bruise)
- Redness
- Swelling
- Pain (muscle soreness)
