While we L O V E introducing everyone we possibly can to the Wonderful World of VacuTherapies™, Uplift Bodyworks is primarily an advanced bodywork facility. We provide massage therapy, magnet therapy, and cupping therapy. So if you just want to come in and have a normal, run of the mill, relaxing massage, we can help with that!

We love this question. 

To answer this, first imagine your 7 year-old-self, sitting at your kitchen table drinking from one of those cheap plastic cups your parents got from a sporting event. The cup is almost empty, so you stick the entire lower half of your face inside of it, chin and all, and start to suck up all the air in the cup, creating a vacuum seal around your mouth. 

Chances are, if you did this as a kid you noticed that when you took the cup off of your face, there was a loud popping sound and a ring around your mouth and chin where the rim of the cup was. This is caused by the tissue within the rim of the cup being deprived of oxygenated blood. If you left the cup on for too long, the tissue around your mouth would become mottled with bruises, red and purple. 

Just like Phelps in the 2016 Olympics. 

So how is Uplift different?

Phelps was cupped using a technique called “stationary cupping”. This is where the cup(s) are placed in one spot on the body and left for 10-15 minutes. Imagine what your face would have looked like at 7 had you left that cup on there for such an extended period of time. 

At Uplift, we utilize a dynamic application of continuous cupping that was introduced in the 1980’s. This technique is called vacuum-assisted tissue mobilization, and you can see a video of it here. This style is used so the suction is not stagnant, but continuous and fluid over the body.

We believe that anyone can be cupped on some areas of their body, but there are cautions some with specific ailments should take. You always inform ANY bodyworker if you:

• are pregnant
• have any blood conditions (anemia, etc)
• have high or low blood pressure
• are fasting of any sort
• have any kind of electrical implants (like pacemakers, insulin pumps, or spinal stimulators)

YES! In fact, we sincerely encourage it. It can allow for more relief for a longer period of time, which is immensely helpful considering that chronic pain is one of the biggest attributes of fibromyalgia. 

Sexual assault victims find that cupping can be less intrusive than hands used in regular massage. Allowing a client the option to choose they style of work done gives them the freedom to work through trauma on the table without having to relive a stressful and triggering experience.

There are very limited side effects when it comes to cupping. In fact, cupping is the number one relief for sore muscles that have been over exerted through rigorous exercise. That being said, if you do experience soreness after a session, it is likely caused by an overactive lymphatic system that requires additional drainage, so please do not hesitate to reach out and let us know so we can work together to remedy this for you! 

Often, any type of bodywork has the tendency to move enough energy in your body around that you’ll notice memories or feelings that you thought you had pushed down begin to resurface. This is because so much of your past traumas and hurts are stored in your body. It keeps a record, even if your mind is apt to forget. 

Moving fascia and creating space between muscular layers utilizing the cupping method and magnify this affect. We recommend hydrating with plain water as much as possible before and after sessions to really flush out your body as a whole and limit these side effects. 

Magnet Therapy is a type of accupressure held into place with the suction of a cup. We have found that all types of body issues respond well to magnet therapy. 

Magnets are used based on their polarity; blue is negative and red is positive. The different polarities bring forth a different type of energy to your body. For example, new or chronic injuries respond better to blue magnets (negative polarity) because the muscular tissue is in an acid, painful state. Negative ions bring out a more alkaline state, which promotes healing.