Cupping Therapy & Gua Sha are both techniques for fascia, muscles, tendons and ligaments similar to the present trend of myofascial release.
Cupping Therapy
Cupping is the anti-massage. While massage uses pressure on the body, cupping creates a vacuum thereby lifting body tissue. This lifting benefits the body by allowing fluid movement in and out of a congested area. This lifting also acts on the deep layers of fascia in the body that are otherwise inaccessible without invasive techniques.
Tight, painful or sore areas of the body are often effected by stiff and static fascial lines. This not only can cause pain in the local area, and restrict healing, but will also restrict motion and load distribution through the entire area. This is responsible for the phenomenon of going to the doctor for knee pain and they tell you that your hips are the problem. Through regular treatments fascia is able to release, rejuvenate and reset.
Gua Sha
Is the art of scrapping the body to release knotted fascia allowing qi and fluids to resume normal flow. As fascia becomes injured or formed in unhealthy patterns from sedentary lifestyle it constricts the flow of fluids and movement to the surrounding tissue. This obstructs the tissues ability to rejuvenate leading to a knot in the local tissue and potentially a weak point along a tension line in the body.
It is often the case that the first weak point created is not the one that we are aware of or are seeking help for. Usually the body is able to adapt and cope with one or even a few weak points. But in protecting these areas the body can accidently cause more harm when trying to exert in physical activity. This means you can prevent many major injuries by listening to your body. When you are sore or tight in an area, don’t ignore it, treat it. Otherwise it could lead to more serious injuries down the line.