Cupping Massage Training

Cupping has been used for thousand years. Ancient Greeks, Egyptians and Chinese used this therapy as part of their medical practice. It was used in Egypt back in 3, 500 years and was discovered through their hieroglyphic writing. Ge Hong (281-341) the famous Taoist alchemist and herbalist, had the earliest record of the use of Cupping. Hippocrates of Ancient Greece recommended the use of cups in different ailments. In early 1900’s, a British physician, Sir Arthur Keith, wrote the success of Cupping. Many other famous physician practiced Cupping such as Galen, Paracelsus, Ambroise Pare and surgeon Charles Kennedy. Cupping is still used in medical treatment in many countries across the globe in this present time. Academic medical journals like the Lancet have recorded the benefits of cupping in surgery.

Cupping is used to relieve congestion by applying a vacuum in cup or cups, either by heat or suction. It can be categorized into three depending on the pressure or strength applied. The use of weak suction is called Light Cupping which is suitable for children and elderly. Medium Cupping is used for general purposes and the strong cupping is the method used for those with specific medical conditions that needed great suction. It is not advisable for children and elderly.

Another type of Cupping is the Massage Cupping. This is the common types used by massage therapists and healthcare practitioners. The therapists apply oil or lotion before administering the cups. It is also called a Moving Cupping because the cups are kept active and moving on the client’s body. The entire back can be treated including the neck to the thigh. There are many other types of cupping such as Traditional Cupping therapies that left the cups on the patient’s body for a specific period for the purpose of enhancing the energy flow; Hot Cupping and Needle Cupping are another types that use needles before applying cups; and Bleeding Cupping, use in surgery by scraping the skin and using cups to collect the blood.

Cupping is a part of Massage Continuing Education (CEU). Learning the techniques are not enough but applying it on the clients who are seeking healing this massage can offer. For those who want to make Cupping Massage their career, several training centers and schools are offering courses on Cupping. Since it is acknowledge in the medical world, licensing and certification recognized by many organizations in different countries is also offered just like other types of massage.

Training schools teach different types and applications of cupping.  Several health conditions such as muscle pain, spasms, connective and soft tissue knots are restored through cupping massage. It is also believed that cupping massage can eliminate excess fluids and toxins to enhance energy flow. Moreover, it also stimulates the blood flow and circulation to stagnant muscles and skin. Training will include stimulating the peripheral nervous system and the lymphatic system through cupping massage.

Those who seek training will also learn different skills to be an effective therapist. This will open a new  opportunity to add on their existing massage skills. It will enable them to provide new technique which can help clients in their treatment.