Alpina Plast Facial Massage Cupping Set of 4

Description

Our high-quality Alpina Plast glass facial massage cups are the perfect choice for facial cupping needs.   Cupping reservoirs are made of medical glass with cylinders to create a vacuum.  Made of hypo-allergenic PVC plastisol.

The Alpina Facial set contains 4 cups measuring 3.5” (90 mm) long (with rubber bulb) with the following diameters: (1) 0.43” (11 mm), (1) 0.78″ (20 mm), (1) 1.3” (33 mm) and (1) 2.0” (50 mm).

While intended for facial cupping treatment, these cups may also be used for neck, leg and shoulder.

To use: Apply a massage cream or oil to the area to be treated. Set cup and use three basic massage movements (straight line, zigzag and circular), repeating each 5-6 times while controlling vacuum intensity to fit needs.  Massage each area for at least 5 minutes.  For areas around eyes, an autohemotherapy technique is recommended in which cups are placed on skin for 2-5 seconds without moving.

Choose the optional Santi Apothecary Organic Facial cupping Oil to nourish the skin

Organic solution that’s  expertly formulated to nourish the skin, decrease inflammation, and provide the perfect amount of glide for cupping purposes.

Suggested Use:    Apply liberally to the area where cupping will take place.

Caution: We do not recommend use of  scented oil if pregnant.   Store in a cool, dark place.  Exposure to high temperatures can damage the integrity of the oils.  Not for ingestion.

What Is Cupping?

Cupping is a treatment that is part of Oriental medicine that can provide an especially pleasant experience.  The use of cupping dates back  to a Taoist herbalist by the name of Ge Hong in 300 AD.  Early Chinese documentation, 3000 years old, used cupping for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis.   Officially, the therapeutic practice of cupping was established  in the 1950’s across hospitals in China after research conducted by Chinese and Soviet Union acupuncturists confirmed the effectiveness and benefits of cupping.

The term “Cupping” is a technique that uses small glass cups or bamboo jars as a suction device that is placed on the skin to disperse and break up stagnation and congestion by drawing congested blood, energy or other humors to the surface.

There are different ways to create the suction in the cups.  A common historic method involves swabbing rubbing alcohol onto the bottom of the cup, lighting it with a flame, and placing the cup immediately against the skin.  Suction can also be created by inverting a cup over a small flame.  Careful action should be taken not to use flames near the skin and are not lit throughout the process of cupping.

When suction has occurred, the cups can be gently moved across the skin (sometimes called “gliding” cupping).   Massage oils are sometimes applied to improve movement of the cups along the skin.   Cupping causes the skin and superficial muscle layer to be lightly drawn into the cup.  It can be thought of as the inverse of massage – rather than applying pressure to muscles, it uses gentle pressure to pull them upward.  For most people, this is treatment is relaxing and relieving sensation.

Once applied to the body, cups are generally left in place for about ten minutes.   This practice is similar to the practice of Tui Na, a traditional Chinese medicine massage technique that targets acupuncture points as well as painful body parts, and is known to provide relief through pressure.

The side effects of cupping are mild.  The most common side effect is bruising and it should be expected.  Most people find that skin will return to looking normal within 10 days.  Other potential side effects include mild discomfort, skin infection, or burns when used with flame.  However, when used carefully and with appropriate application side effects are nominal.  We offer primarily suction based cupping products that eliminate the risk associated with open flame or over heating.

The Philosophy Behind Pain and Cupping

“Where there’s stagnation, there will be pain. Remove the stagnation, and you remove the pain.”  The old Chinese medical proverb holds that pain results from the congestion, stagnation, and blockage of Qi, or vital energy, vital fluids, lymph, phlegm, and blood.  If pain is the essence of disease, then suffering is a result of obstructed or irregular flow in the body.  Cupping is a method of breaking up the blockage to restore the body’s natural flow of energy.