cupping focuses on ‘qi’ or energy and meridians or energy pathways of the body

Myofascial Decompression (MFD), otherwise known as ‘cupping’ is a form of soft tissue mobilization. The proper name for ‘cupping’ in western medicine is myofascial decompression or negative pressure soft tissue mobilization. Most soft tissue mobilizations (what people refer to as massage) are compressive in nature, meaning you push down on the soft tissue to release it. Myofascial decompression creates a negative pressure that ‘decompresses’ and lifts the underlying soft tissues to release it. It is the only type of therapy that has this lift.

MFD has its origins in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), which has been around for thousands of years. TCM focuses on ‘qi’ or energy and meridians or energy pathways of the body. Areas of dysfunction relate to areas of qi stagnation. TCM focuses on unblocking stagnation. Application of cupping under TCM yields a deep, purple bruise. The darker the color of the bruise, the more unblocking of a stagnant area of qi and blood flow.