Issue link: https://www.massageandbodyworkdigital.com/i/943527
EDUCATION INSPIRATION Q&A You're a licensed massage therapist and cosmetologist. What first drew you to cupping? The whole experience started in 2000, when I began working as an assistant at a local acupuncture clinic. My duties were to remove the needles and perform cupping, moxibustion, massage, and other therapeutic services. I observed such a difference in the soft tissue after the "moving cups," and also saw the most amazing illustration of congestion. My mind exploded with the recognition that blood congestion from old injuries, surgeries, and chronic movement patterns could be a major factor in soft-tissue issues. I asked to borrow the cups and worked on willing clients, friends, and myself to test and develop a viable manual therapy using the vacuum cup. I was still working with fire cups, since there was very little equipment available in those days, but began looking for safer tools and soon found sources to supply equipment that worked with our techniques. I began teaching classes and publishing articles to share this amazing find in 2002, and the work has just continued to evolve! My particular interests include breast health and mastectomy recovery, scoliosis, and weight loss. There also are many other applications, such as athletic performance and injury recovery, surgical preparation and recovery, and geriatric care. Since the 2016 Summer Olympics and the visible use of cupping by the US Swim Team and Michael Phelps, have you noticed a shift in awareness toward cupping? August 2016 was an exciting time for anyone who works with cups, both traditional cupping and modern vacuum manual therapy techniques. The biggest response we saw to the US Swim Team coverage was the demand for education on current cupping techniques. Our company was besieged with requests from sports teams, trainers, manual therapists, and athletes. The use of cups in Russia and China for sports has been consistent for some time. It is so great to see the United States and other Olympic teams begin to incorporate this tool! Does ACE Massage Cupping work best in conjunction with other modalities or practiced independently? I am a big believer that combining all we know to do the best for our client is the most practical approach. I don't think there is any one modality that can "do it all." The most fun thing about the vacuum cup is that it becomes an extension of your hand, and can be integrated with techniques you have already learned. Since this is manual therapy, the safety and contraindications are basically the same as for massage therapy. Describe what motivates you as a teacher. The best motivation for me is to hear back from our graduates about the great results they are having with clients. Our educators have been certified as trainers after years of experience working with the techniques, and then assisting with multiple workshops. For myself, I discovered that to offer the most current information, it is crucial that I get to work with clients on a regular basis. As my company grew, I had to take a break from working with clients due to travel, and found that stagnation can occur quickly! Working with active cases keeps my presentations in classes and at conventions fresh and I keep learning new applications and creating techniques as clients offer new issues to address. There really is no greater joy than to share information that can benefit so many people I may never meet! Anita Shannon Educator, Owner ACE Massage Cupping & MediCupping sponsored by There really is no greater joy than to share information that can benefit so many people. SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION