Cupping, is it for you?

Cupping

Depending on your point of view, or interests, last summer was overshadowed, or highlighted by the Olympics. And while very few were able to fly to Brazil to take in the activities in Rio and even fewer were actually able to participate, many followed the action on TV. 

As Canadians, we remember the outstanding performances of our athletes, and especially the female competitors who brought home many medals. But we may also remember Michael Phelps and other sports figures who exhibited big blotches all over their backs, arms and legs, tell tale signs of cupping.

Do they know something that we don’t know? Is this some strange treatment recently discovered? Can this only benefit high level athletes?

The answer to all these questions is a resounding NO!

Cupping has been used for thousands of years in Chinese medicine and around the world for the treatment of many ailments.

In the case of the athletes at the recent Rio Olympics, cupping was used as a drugless alternative which helped them by relieving pain and tightness and speeding up recovery in overworked muscles. Cupping increased the blood flow to tight areas, thus improving the elimination of waste products and bringing in more nutrients and oxygen. Cupping also worked by softening the connective tissue that wraps around muscles, thus making them more responsive. But cupping is not just for athletes, it can help your average Joe suffering from chronic back and neck pain, cramps, even tension headaches. By adding a third dimension to the treatment, cupping can have the same effect as a deep tissue massage.

Beside muscles, cupping also affects the lymphatic system to increase immune functions. Medical cups can also be used to treat respiratory conditions, colds, coughs and allergies as well as certain skin conditions, including cellulite. In addition, cupping can help induce relaxation by taking away the pain and promotes detoxification and may help digestive functions.

While traditional cupping was done by heating the inside of a glass, ceramic or iron cup with a flame, modern cupping is mostly done with plastic cups using a suction pump to create just the right amount of suction. Cupping may be done by placing several cups over areas of the body and leaving them

for 5 to 10 minutes, or after suction has been applied, the cups may be moved around, lifting up tissue as it is travels along.   

Please call Myoflex today, at 450-9272 if you have further questions about cupping or to book your appointment for any type of massage therapy or acupuncture treatment.

“Take it to Heart this February”

“Take it to Heart this February”

Heart disease and stroke are now the leading causes of death in Canada. Sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy diet, obesity, and chronic stress, can all contribute to an increased risk of heart disease.

The good news is that even small changes in your lifestyle can improve your health and reduce this risk. Exercise, adequate water intake and nutrition as well as a good balance between work and leisure are the pillars of better health.

A really great way to help with the chronic stress issue we are all facing, are massage therapy and acupuncture treatments. 

During a massage session, the body’s “fight or flight” response caused by stressful situations is turned off, leading to a drop in blood pressure, a redirection of the blood to internal organs and an increase in the digestive processes (“rest and digest” response). The body reacts to tactile input from massage by stimulating the parasympathetic nervous system and causing relaxation of muscles and a feeling of bliss and wellbeing. The addition of acupuncture to the treatments increases the body’s capacity to dealing with anxiety and stress and some other unpleasant symptoms, such as heart palpitations, chest tightness and high blood pressure. February is “Heart Month”, making it an excellent time to start thinking about your health and to, maybe, include massage therapy and acupuncture into your wellness programme.

And what better way to relax your body and calm your mind than with a Hot Stone Massage, especially during the cold winter month of February.

Black basalt stones, made by volcanic action and used in this modality, have excellent heat and cold retention properties. Before the treatment the stones are warmed up in hot salt water, placed on the body and used to perform massage techniques. The combination of the energy from the warm stones and the massage work gives amazing results such as an increase in flexibility due to the softening of the connective tissue, a rise in blood circulation and oxygen levels to the treated areas and a reduction in pain.

Book a session for you or buy a Gift Certificate for a loved-one and take advantage of our Specials.