Questions & Answers to prepare you best for your session.
What do I wear?
Wear whatever is comfortable for you! Most people undress to just their underwear (men often wear shorts as well). So any clothing you are comfortable changing in and out of is just fine. If you are coming in for a stretching / sports massage style session, wear athletic pants or shorts and loose shirt as you will likely keep your clothing on for part of the session.
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Please take any jewelry off before you get on the table as well.
What type of lubricant do you use?
I use Organic Jojoba Oil or Unscented Jojoba lotion.
Does gua sha and cupping hurt?
Is it normal to feel sore after a massage?
Yes, after receiving bodywork, especially deeper tissue work. This should resolve in 1-2 days. There is a concept called "therapeutic pain" or a "healing crisis" which explains this more!
I got cupping or gua sha done - why am I bruised and how long will they last?
Cupping:
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Negative pressure during cupping breaks tiny blood vessels (capillaries) under the skin.
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The broken capillaries lead to red, round cupping marks that resemble bruises.
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These marks are not true bruises that injure muscle fibers.
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Most bruises from cupping subside within a week or two.
Gua Sha:
Gua sha causes tiny blood vessels near the surface of the skin called capillaries to burst. This creates the distinctive red or purple bruises, known as sha. The bruises usually take a few days or a week to heal and can be tender while healing.
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Video of fire cupping - click here
Video of gua sha - click here
The short answer is it shouldn't. Gua sha and cupping can be uncomfortable, and the suction and pressure need to be enough to be effective. I always tell my clients - discomfort is okay! Breathe through it. Pain that you cannot tolerate is never okay.