Asheville, NC Chiropractor Practices Massage Cupping
Massage cupping is a form of bodywork that, like acupuncture, and other ancient-healing techniques are being utilized by progressive health care professionals. Dr. David Nygaard runs Atlas Family Chiropractic in Asheville, North Carolina and he uses massage cupping in his practice."By creating negative pressure through suction, massage cupping therapy is used to relax muscles, loosen adhesions and to tone and lift connective tissue," he explains.
Cupping has roots in traditional Chinese medicine. Animal horns were hollowed out and a second small hole was made to allow air to be sucked out, creating a vacuum. It is believed that the original intention of cupping was to draw toxins out of snakebites and skin pustules.
The Evolution and Practice of Cupping
As the practice of cupping evolved, horns were replaced by bamboo and then glass. Cupping began to be used to draw all sorts of toxins to the surface and to divert blood flow. A collaborative study between China and Russia confirmed the clinical applications of cupping and led to its official use in Chinese hospitals.
Traditional glass cups are similar to and can even be replaced by brandy snifters. Practitioners light an alcohol-soaked cotton ball that is placed in the cup to create a vacuum. The cotton ball is removed and then quickly placed on the clients' skin. The practitioner can adjust the strength of the suction the cup creates by manipulating the intensity of the flame and how quickly the cup is placed.
Manual vacuum sets create the same suction using a tube or squeeze bulb that allows the therapist to create and release suction with more control. Mechanical vacuum machines take this development a step further, utilizing clear gages and different defined operating modes that make it simple to document results. Consistency of application is also near perfect, leading to successful results.
Massage Cupping Benefits Various Medical Conditions
"The theory behind cupping is similar to that of a hot compress," explains Nygaard. "The suction draws blood from the arteries into the capillaries. The blood is then returned through the veins cleansing the area of built up toxins."
Nygaard uses cupping to relieve inflammation, promote lymph drainage, stimulate blood flow, release stagnation and deep tissue pressure and sedate the nervous system. Cupping has also been used extensively to treat asthma and pneumonia and to ease troubled breathing.
Because of the sedating effect it creates in the nervous system, cupping is used to treat high blood pressure, anxiety, fatigue, insomnia, chronic headaches, neuralgia and rheumatism. Traditionally used to divert blood flow during surgery, modern surgeons have found that massage cupping used for lymph drainage can aid pre- and post-operative conditions and can even assist in the process of healing.
Massage Cupping Complements Other Treatments
Massage cupping is becoming popular as a complement to other treatments such as reflexology, deep tissue massage, hot stone therapy and aromatherapy. Because all body tissue, including bone and nerve tissues, respond well to magnetic therapy, some practitioners use magnetically-charged cups to further increase the healing properties of cupping.
"I find massage cupping to be a great complement to the Atlas chiropractic treatments my patients receive," says Nygaard. "So much of what I do in chiropractic treatments is about releasing pressure on affected joints and nerves. Once a patient's body is returned to its natural or orthogonal position through Atlas treatments, these problem areas are allowed to heal."
Massage cupping really helps to circulate blood and nutrients. Toxins are released and good circulation is restored. This greatly reduces inflammation and allows the body's systems to return to a normal healthy state.
For more information visit:
http://atlasfamilychiropractic.net
Chris Wingate Freelance journalist, outdoorsman and adrenalin junkie, Chris can be found exploring the forests of the South East where he is a white water raft guide on the French Broad River. When not wet or covered in mud Chris produces shows for his local public access TV station URTV and plays bass in an alt-country band "Hobos and Lace". For more information Visit: http://atlasfamilychiropractic.net