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cup kiss

I plan on taking eeva vahla's class on slipstream therapy at the WMF and after that I want to start offering cupping in my practice, but am not sure people will want this service. I have had it done and loved it, but wonder if people will shy away from trying it because of the visual marks left after the treatment. How do you get clients to get past the cup "kiss"?

thanks

danielle

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michael Vahila, LAC, LMT on April 18, 2010 at 2:28pm

Show them pictures and be clear about it. I use it mostly for treating trigger points. When people are in pain, they usually don't care if it will help. Below is my informed consent form. I rarely have people sign it, but give it to them to show their spouse so they have some sense of what the treatment was for.

Informed Consent for Cupping

What is Cupping?

Cupping is traditional healing technique used throughout Asia for thousands of years. It involves creating a vacuum with a suction cup to bring blood and energy to an area. It may cause redness or even a therapeutic bruise. The redness or bruise disappears totally in two to seven days or longer depending on the intensity of response to the treatment. The color and rate of fading are both diagnostic and prognostic indicators.

The benefits of Cupping are numerous. It moves stuck blood, promoting normal circulation to the muscles, tissues, and organs directly beneath the surface treated. Patients often experience immediate changes in stiffness, pain and mobility. Normal metabolic processes are restored by the movement of fluids as nutrients are carried to the tissues and metabolic wastes are carried away.

A care provider considers Cupping in any case of pain or discomfort, for upper respiratory or digestive problems, and for any condition where palpation indicates there is stuck energy. After Cupping, the patient is should cover the area, avoiding wind and exposure to the sun or sudden change in temperature. Stretching is recommended but not a heavy workout on the day of treatment.

Informed Consent

I understand that this technique may leave marks on the skin like redness and bruising. I am not a hemophiliac or on any blood thinners. I give permission for the therapist to perform this treatment.

Name______________________________________ Date_________________________

Permalink Reply by Serenity Achieved! on April 18, 2010 at 3:14pm

I offered my existing clients a "free 15 minute sample" of massage cupping, giving them an explanation and warning that they will likely have some temporary marks following the session. Most of them loved it and were okay with the cup kisses, and have requested I continue working with the cups. A few didn't love it and haven't requested the work again.

I am glad I took the class in winter, I'm not anticipating doing much cupping during bathing suit season on new clients. What I've noticed is over repeated treatments the cup kisses become fewer and lighter with each session...which you could tell your clients.

I also use an informed consent form, similar to Michael's, but I've included a caution for people working with an acupuncturist. The only negative reactions I've had from clients who have tried cupping have been people who are also being treated with acupuncture; so, I advise against those clients receiving massage cupping.
Blessings,
Susan
www.serenityachieved.com

Permalink Reply by Michael Vahila, LAC, LMT on April 18, 2010 at 3:22pm

I've never had a problem doing acupuncture and cupping in the same session. It's possible it is just too much treatment to have both so always use caution and common sense.

Serenity Achieved! said:

I offered my existing clients a "free 15 minute sample" of massage cupping, giving them an explanation and warning that they will likely have some temporary marks following the session. Most of them loved it and were okay with the cup kisses, and have requested I continue working with the cups. A few didn't love it and haven't requested the work again.

I am glad I took the class in winter, I'm not anticipating doing much cupping during bathing suit season on new clients. What I've noticed is over repeated treatments the cup kisses become fewer and lighter with each session...which you could tell your clients.

I also use an informed consent form, similar to Michael's, but I've included a caution for people working with an acupuncturist. The only negative reactions I've had from clients who have tried cupping have been people who are also being treated with acupuncture; so, I advise against those clients receiving massage cupping.
Blessings,
Susan
www.serenityachieved.com

Permalink Reply by Serenity Achieved! on April 18, 2010 at 3:27pm

With the clients that have had negative experiences, the acupuncture sessions were on separate days. I've learned to have them check with their acupunturist first before I proceed with massage cupping so I don't interfere with treatment or inadvetently cause discomfort.

Michael Vahila, LAC, LMT said:

I've never had a problem doing acupuncture and cupping in the same session. It's possible it is just too much treatment to have both so always use caution and common sense.

Serenity Achieved! said:
I offered my existing clients a "free 15 minute sample" of massage cupping, giving them an explanation and warning that they will likely have some temporary marks following the session. Most of them loved it and were okay with the cup kisses, and have requested I continue working with the cups. A few didn't love it and haven't requested the work again.

I am glad I took the class in winter, I'm not anticipating doing much cupping during bathing suit season on new clients. What I've noticed is over repeated treatments the cup kisses become fewer and lighter with each session...which you could tell your clients.

I also use an informed consent form, similar to Michael's, but I've included a caution for people working with an acupuncturist. The only negative reactions I've had from clients who have tried cupping have been people who are also being treated with acupuncture; so, I advise against those clients receiving massage cupping.
Blessings,
Susan
www.serenityachieved.com

Permalink Reply by Danielle Frey on April 18, 2010 at 6:27pm

Thanks Susan and Michael. This has helped me a lot and I feel better about adding this great modality to my services. I know people will love it once they experience cupping.

Permalink Reply by Kelly Grounds on April 18, 2010 at 7:31pm

That's a good question and I'm eager to hear some answers. I'm hesitant to work on anyone! I worked on my husband two weeks ago (I've just completed a class) and he had 2 dark cup kisses on his lower lumber. I didn't park the cups there or anything. This is the area where he really hurts, so I wasn't surprised to see some develop. But even he was slightly annoyed with the cup kisses and told me I shouldn't add it to my practice. Now I don't have anyone to practice one. I plan on taking the slipstream therapy class at the WMF too. Who else can I practice on before then?

Permalink Reply by Barbara Burgess on August 9, 2010 at 9:06pm

I started using the Slipstream therapy on my clients about a month ago. They all love it. I usually just do it on the back (or elsewhere if they ask). I park the cups on trigger points and slide everywhere. I have not had any problem with cup kisses. There may be slight discoloration on the area where I parked, but not enough to be a problem. I agree to let the client know exactly what is going to be done. I also give them a handout to read in order to help them become more informed. I have not taken the class, however, I am thrilled that it will be taught at the WMF next year. I will definitely take it then. Meanwhile, I just use common sense and caution! I just wish I had purchased 2 sets while at the FSMTA convention while they were on sale!!

Permalink Reply by William F. Burton, Jr. on August 31, 2010 at 11:44pm

I too have a consent form as well as pictures which shows different types of reactions to the cupping. During intake I always emphasize its never my intention to produce the marks. The marks are just a spontaneous reaction. Educating your clients is key.

Permalink Reply by Barbara Burgess on September 1, 2010 at 8:19pm

With the rubber cups, I very rarely get long lasting cup kisses. I generally move them, but I do sometimes park them if there is a particular need in a certain spot. Mostly, when I remove the cup, after a few mins., there will be a dark spot, but that soon disappears and the only thing that is left is a ring that goes away pretty quickly. I have not had anyone object to the possibility of a cup kiss, and my clients really love the cupping as much as I enjoy performing it!