Functional Release Cupping

Functional Release Cupping combines contemporary research on fascia, the application of myofascial cupping, functional movement patterns and the anatomy trains concept to make dramatic changes in range of motion, functional capacity and pain.

This dynamic approach to cupping is highly individualised to the patient’s own movement deficits and was developed by ACE’s founder Shaun Brewster over the past decade.

Functional Release Cupping takes the traditional concept of myofascial cupping and incorporates an evidence-based approach to its application while ensuring the treatment is highly outcome-focused.

You will see measurable increases in range of motion and function immediately after application. For the manual OR exercise therapist, you’ll very quickly recognise that this technique will open up many new avenues to influence positive change for your patients.

Functional release cupping is a relatively new concept that works on applying cups in relevant areas and then integrating dynamic, functional movement to affect a positive change in movement restrictions.

By doing this, Functional Release Cupping aims to :

• Restore healthy, functioning movement.
• Decrease areas of restriction causing pain.
• Achieve client specific functional goals and movement.
• Better facilitate the release of connective tissue by recruiting motor pathways.
• Provide a new input to the nervous system; changing dysfunction, deformations and pain.

In simple terms we place a cup on the body where restriction is felt, then move that part through a comfortable range whilst slowly pushing it to the outer limits of that movement. As the tissues begin to soften, the range of movement increases until we reach a point where there is no more range to be gained.

Differences between myofascial cupping and traditional cupping: 

Traditional cupping therapies use vacuumed cups combining with compression and negative pressure applied to the area being treated.

Myofascial cupping has its roots in traditional cupping methods with some scientifically-informed changes. Myofascial cupping target skeletal-muscle immobility and pain by treating contracted muscles, encouraging blood and lymphatic flow, and prompting the muscle stretch reflex.

There are a few differences between myofascial cupping and traditional cupping:

Traditional cupping parks the cups along the meridian pathways following a strategic placement, while myofascial cupping directly treats the affected and targeted tissues. Furthermore, myofascial cupping leaves little marks, however traditional forms leave large round bruises marks.

How it helps to combine the cupping and manual massage therapy: 

While massage releases muscle tension using direct pressure, cupping creates negative pressure to lift the muscle fibers. Therefore, the combination of both massage therapy and cupping can trigger better myofascial release as the skin, muscle and blood vessels are stretched and massaged before being relaxed back into their normal position.

I highly recommend and I am so pleased to be able to introduce such a wonderful modality to the clinic. 

Prices for functional cupping with be $20 more than the standard remedial / therapeutic massages, just like the Hot Stones, extra cleaning is required between clients.