Facial Cupping
Guided Healing is adding a new therapy to my therapeutic treatments: facial cupping. It's not as well-known as the deep-tissue massage and cupping you normally receive, sooooo…here’s an introduction to facial cupping and why I think you'll love it!
What is Facial Cupping?
Cupping is part of traditional medicine practices in China and the Middle East. It is often used alongside acupuncture, massage, and herbal therapies. During a cupping session, glass, silicone, or plastic cups are used to create temporary suction on the skin. You may have seen pictures of Olympic athletes after cupping treatments, but anyone can benefit from cupping – not just elite athletes.
Facial cupping is similar to cupping on the rest of the body, but in this case, the cups are applied only to the face and head. The cups come in many different shapes to accommodate the contours of your face. Unlike body cupping, which typically leaves behind cup marks, this is a gentle therapy that won’t leave any marks.
How does facial cupping work?
Cupping creates suction that pulls blood to the surface of the skin and increases circulation. That increased blood flow may help relieve muscle tension, a common cause of headaches and jaw pain. The facial cups gently pull apart the many layers of skin and other tissue in your face, which encourages the production of collagen and restorative chemicals, while reducing inflammation and stagnation caused by decreased blood flow.
As your body processes blood cells that were brought to the area, it releases anti-inflammatory chemicals both locally and throughout the rest of the body. Changes in pressure as the cups are applied and removed help relieve sinus congestion and promote lymphatic drainage. Your sinuses are large cavities within your head that can fill with fluid if you are sick or experiencing allergies. Facial massage and cupping help decrease that congestion by encouraging the fluid to leave your sinuses.
What are the benefits of facial cupping?
Although cupping is not typically used in Western medicine, or even included in research studies, there is a long history of using cupping to manage all sorts of ailments in Eastern medicine. There are many benefits of cupping, but perhaps most importantly, facial cupping is relaxing, it gives you a chance to decompress, focus on yourself, and take a break. That alone can have incredible benefits. In addition, facial cupping is thought to improve fine lines and wrinkles and decrease puffiness. Adding in moisturizer and massage helps add to these effects. It’s 100% natural skincare!!
There is some scientific research that shows that cupping helps decrease aches and muscle pain, but more research is required to fully understand the relationship between cupping and pain. Nonetheless, many people treated with cupping therapy report decreased headaches and less neck pain.
Cupping may be especially beneficial if you aren’t feeling your best. Your lymphatic system naturally removes dead cells and waste, but sometimes it slows down or gets overloaded. That’s what causes swollen lymph nodes in your neck when you have a head cold. Improved circulation in your head and neck helps move the dead cells along in the lymphatic system.
Cupping is not recommended for broken or irritated skin, so avoid doing any cupping during a breakout or when you have a rash. Other than that, cupping is very safe and has limited side effects.
Facial Cupping Services
Sinus Treatment for Allergies and Sinusitis and Sinus Headaches (both chronic and acute): Small facial cups are used to work on the sinus cavities in the forehead, nasal, and cheek areas, along with scalp massage to loosen and clear blockages. If the sinus blockage has been chronic it can take up to 4 sessions to clear, but usually clears by the 2nd session. Treatment is 30 minutes and should be repeated once a week up to 4 times. And then once a month, especially during cold and allergy season as maintenance. $50
TMJ (Temporomandibular joint) Syndrome: Working around the jawline and chin, the joints on both sides, around the cheekbones near the ears, and on the neck, facial cups are used to relax and release tight and stuck jaw muscles. Scalp massage will also help to relax tight muscles above the ears from clenching and grinding. Treatment is 30 minutes and should be repeated once a week until symptoms resolve and muscle memory takes over. After that, sessions can be scheduled as needed. $50
Bell's Palsy: Bell’s Palsy is an acute onset illness that manifests as paralysis of the facial nerve on one side of the face resulting in muscular weakness which shows up as drooping facial features and difficulty closing one eye. Often it is mistaken for a stroke (I suffered from Bell’s Palsy in 1992 and thought I had certainly had a stroke!), but strokes will have other symptoms present as well. It can be caused by stress (as mine was) or a viral infection. Ideally, the treatment for Bell’s Palsy is a bit stronger than other forms of facial cupping, so marks can possibly happen. We are working deeply to stimulate the facial nerve in order to help restore its normal function. Treatment for Bell’s Palsy is 15 minutes and should be repeated every 2-3 days until symptoms are resolved. Concurrent acupuncture treatments have been shown to be very beneficial as well. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4431843/ $40
Facial Rejuvenation: Facial cups are used to plump up tissues, remove trapped lymph fluid, smooth fine lines and wrinkles, release tension, increase the production of collagen, and increase circulation. It just plain feels AMAZING!!! Treatment involves 30-minute sessions, scheduled 3 times a week for 2 weeks, or 2 times a week for 6 weeks. After that, as with all massage modalities, monthly maintenance is recommended. COMING SOON!
To book a facial cupping treatment, call Guided Healing at 607.215.3511. See you soon!