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Q&As ON CUPPING
I read Dr. Wong's article in Massage &
Bodywork magazine about cupping [ July/
August, page 54] and I would like to get
certifi ed in it. Right now, I only do mobile
massage, so is there a specifi c kind of
cupping technique you would recommend
getting certifi ed in? Also, how many types
of cupping techniques are there? Is there
a difference between vacuum cupping
versus soma cupping or any other cupping
techniques there might be? I've been
getting acupuncture treatments for over
15 years so I'm familiar with the cupping
process as a patient but not as a therapist.
ELONY BEJARANO
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
Author response:
I received my cupping training as a part
of my tui na training in China. I have not
sought certifi cation in this modality, as
it is a very simple technique applied over
one's overall learning in anatomy and
physiology and, in my case, in traditional
Chinese medicine as well. In reality, it is an
extension of one's manual work. There are
many forms of cupping, but the only form
of cupping I do is dry suction cupping.
In order to get continuing education in
cupping, check out the groups that advertise
in Massage & Bodywork. When you are
comfortable with what you know of cupping
practices and precautions, and if you have a
client willing to use cupping for treatment,
you might employ it as a complement to
your manual work. Start off gently. Use no
more than six cups for a session.
SAMUEL WONG
THE ENERGY
OF MONEY
I just started reading the July/August
2016 issue and I wanted to say thank
you for your article "Show Your
Money You Care" [Mindful Money,
by Jennie Hastings, page 36]. It's
great! Money is a form of energy,
and we should be treating it as such.
I would love to see more articles
like this—about energy, spirituality,
and beyond—because massage
is all about the mind-body-spirit
connection.
BRENDA WEINBERG
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA
REWARDS OF
ALL KINDS
I'm writing to share my thoughts
about the article in the July/August
edition titled "My Career Has
Meaning" [Mind of an MT, by Laura
Collins, page 14]. I absolutely, 100
percent, agree with all my heart that
as massage therapists we are "lucky"
that people trust us to share their
stories and ask for help. We get to
connect with people in a physical
and emotional way, a way that they
may not receive in another dynamic.
We have an opportunity to make an impact
(and hopefully always compassionately and
positively) in the lives of those with whom
we work. May all of our interactions with
clients be for the greater good of their
healing potential.
The part of this article that for me
invalidates Laura's care and compassion is
where she states "monetary compensation
is not my biggest reward." Maybe she was
meaning that clients' gratitude is why she's
in the profession. I personally know and
believe that as massage therapists we also
get to make a stable and reliable income.
We deserve to have fi nancial comfort to be
just as rewarding as clients' gratitude and
feedback.
I'm writing because I want to be a
voice that encourages and lifts up other
therapists—we are fi nancially worth our
time! We are skilled and have spent many
years devoted to learning and implementing
techniques and tools to help clients.
Massage therapists are worth every cent!
VANESSA ESCOVAR
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA
SCOPE HOPE
I read Leslie Young's editor's note in the
May/June 2016 issue and couldn't agree
more about scope of practice [page 8]. As
a 20-year practitioner, I encounter many
clients who've gone to therapists and have
been diagnosed when they should have
been referred out. Given the chance, I
think many people seek alternatives over
seeing their doctor, but if experience has
taught me anything, it's to not diagnose
and defi nitely to not practice beyond my
scope of ability or education. Thank you for
saying something from personal experience.
DON MACKEY
LANSDALE, PENNSYLVANIA
