Modern Contemporary Cupping
Contemporary Cupping Concepts - Traditional Practices Refocussed
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This workshop is completely new, demonstrating new techniques developed by Bruce following years of clinical experience and travels throughout more than a dozen countries in Asia , Europe and North Africa. Nowhere else is this depth of experience available. And now, completely new techniques and a host of new applications using non - flame cupping instruments can be introduced. Now you can also cup in places you would never have dared before. Massage therapists, acupuncturists and all other practitioners dealing with soft tissue / myofascial problems - including those who perform mobile services or do corporate massage which involves seated treatments - will find this workshop very informative and practical. |
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Featuring specialist designed hand-blown cupping glasses, such as miniature Belletazze cups, and small glass cups with an attached pump, called Earthspa Bells, high quality magnetic cups and soft flexible cupping vessels - all these can be brought together to extend your range of cupping options. Each one of these new applications is explained and demonstrated thoroughly, step by step, before students apply the sequences on each other in class. The Contemporary Cupping Concepts workshop consists of the following studies:
Day One
An Introduction to Cosmetic Cupping for Facial Rejuvenation: The advantages of miniature cups lightly suctioning the skin & muscles of the face, have a very gentle, yet dramatic cleansing, tightening and rejuvenating effect. In this routine that takes about 10 - 15 minutes to perform, the face becomes extremely relaxed - and when performed on a weekly or twice weekly basis for a 10 week period, can dramatically improve the condition & look of the face without the consideration of harsh treatments. In addition, this treatment is effective for ridding mild headaches and sinus congestion.
Neck, Shoulder and Back Treatment: Using small cups specially designed for this area, this treatment is not only easy to perform but very effective in releasing all the muscles and soft tissues that have become tight and strained by either injury or stress. New designed rubber cups are also used in this protocol to afford myofascial release, by sliding two cups in opposite directions along the fibres of muscle to stretch and relax tightness and holding. The study will teach a progressive sequence with the client lying comfortably on their side to allow a full range of sliding cupping movements. In those ares of the body where long term injury has left adhesions and fascial congestion which restricts mobility and causes ongoing discomfort, the methods we have trialed have produced superb results in a short period of time.
Arm and Hand Rehabilitation: One of the advantages made possible by this new era of cupping instruments, is the ability of get to otherwise difficult to effectively treat regions of the body. Cupping from the shoulder girdle downwards rehabilitates strain and overwork syndromes thoughout the upper limbs by promoting blood flow to clear the build-up of blockages. Together with sliding cups for myofascial stretching manouvres plus stationary cups on Chinese acu-points and substituting massage methods for the uplifting and opening effect of cupping - the arms and hands will feel very relieved of retrictions and discomfort. Rubber cupping instruments also allow mobilisations to be carried out while the cups stay in place on acu and trigger points. Furthermore, massage therapists can treat themselves as a regular self maintainace practice.
Hip and Leg Cupping and Stretching Therapy: Using the flexible Blue Rubber Cups to simulate light to deep tissue massage techniques throughout this large area of the body makes it possible for thee therapist to practice a new type of therapy. We also explore a range of the most beneficial stretching manouvers to perform while the cups remain in place on target locations. We have developed the synergistic benefits of combining cupping with stretching from Western therapeutic practices as well as from Traditional Thai Massage - the original and world's best massage system to combine the benefits of both. As the Australian School of Traditional Thai Massage is a part of Health Traditions, we are in a specialized position to adapt innovative initiatives into this branch of cupping for its myofascial and broad health benefits.
Day Two
Foot treatment: Cupping the entire feet (following introductory muscle release of the lower legs) with flexible blue rubber cups is a comprehensive system of cupping care. The cups, which can be complimented by foot massage, rid tension and fatigue by drawing out the pressures of everyday compression. The feeling is like walking on air and leaves the feet feeling relaxed and refreshed.
Detoxification Program: Cupping is a unique suction method for effectively drawing out toxins from both superficial and deep levels within the body. In this full-body treatment using both rubber and small, lightly suctioned cups, Chinese diagnostic and practical know-how, together with massage protocols are combined to stimulate acu-points, relieve congestion and restore organ functions.
Cellulite, Stretch Marks and Scar Clearing System: Cupping for 1. promoting blood circulation, improving elimination of tissue wastes and reducing cellulite. 2. Reducing the appearance of Stretch Marks. 3. Softening and restoring the integrity of scar tissue.
Abdominal Cupping Massage: The abdomen is the house of the digestion and elimination, as well as seat of many emotions. Disharmonies that are stored within, often perpetuate tensions that affect the functions of many other physiological processes. The abdominal cupping protocol uses acupressure points that have been appreciated for thousands of years by the Chinese, as well as Western massage movements, to ease and restore the mechanisms of this key region of the body.
BACKGROUND: KEEPING TRADITION ALIVE AND GROWING. . .
Bruce Bentley and Shirley Gabriel are the presenters.
Bruce first learnt traditional Chinese cupping as part of his internships at hospitals and clinics in Taiwan from 1976 -1981. This was followed by his thesis for a Masters Degree in Health Studies titled ‘Cupping as Therapeutic Technology’ and his first research trip to Vietnam. In 1996, he was invited to China, where a special course on cupping was presented to him by chief physicians at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. To investigate other cupping practices in China, Bruce also studied at the Tibetan Medicine Hospital in Lhasa, Tibet, and at the Uighur Traditional Medicine Hospital in Urumqi, Xinjiang Province. The following year he visited the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra to observe how the massage therapists there employ cupping to treat sports injuries and enhance performance. Midway through 1998, Bruce spent three months in Europe and North Africa. The first month was devoted to archival research at the Welcome Institute for the History of Medicine (the world’s premier library and research centre for medical history), London, and the Department for the History of Medicine at Rome University. For the remaining two months he travelled to Sicily, Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, Morocco and Tunisia learning local cupping traditions. Bruce has also returned to study cupping in Vietnam and for the month in 2003 he researched cupping practices in Cambodia. In 2008, following invitations from University departments of Traditonal Chinese Medicine, together with requests from enthusiastic practitioners, Bruce began teaching his cupping workshops in the USA. He also attended the Earthspa workshop in Santa Fe, New Mexico,under the guidance of Jesse MacLean in September 2008 - which added to the development of the new Contemporary Cupping Concepts - traditional practices refocussed. From this workshop, the Facial Rejuvenation and Abdominal Protocol (with Jesse’s blessing) are presented in Australia for the first time. We have added to these treatments, extra know-how based on traditional cupping experience. In addition Bruce and Shirley have designed, after many trials, the Neck, Shoulder and Back treatment, the Arm and Hand Rehabilitation Programme, the Cupping Detoxification System, the Foot Treatment and the Cellulite, Stretch Marks and Scar Clearing System.
Shirley is a Massage Therapist and diligent Yoga student for many years, who has completed all the Health Traditions courses.
All Cupping Instruments are available for purchase at the Workshop
"During the cupping facial rejuvenation treatment from Shirley my face felt relaxed and alive. Immediately afterwards and for the next few days, my face felt amazing and looked great. I’m certain that with follow – up treatments this method will work wonders." - Vicki Wilson, remedial massage therapist and natural beauty therapist.
"Five years ago, I suffered a serious soft tissue injury to the anterior and middle deltoids, and decided on acupuncture in the initial stages because of the extreme inflammation, followed by massage therapy on weekly basis for twelve months. While my shoulder made great improvement, I was still aware of discomfort and immobility. Also, as is often the case, the ramifications for the surrounding broad region of soft tissue were profound. There remained blockages and tightness throughout the pectoral muscle, latissimus dorsi and intercostal region, as well as tightness, trigger points and deep-seated pain throughout the arm of the affected side. Using new cupping methods developed for the Contemporary Cupping Concepts workshop - made possible by the rubber cups - after four treatments, these symptoms which hung on so tenaciously, have all been thoroughly released. I now have complete movement with all pain syndromes resolved. I think this is a notable development in the contemporary era of cupping therapy and I am really excited about the benefits that this treatment will bring to many clients. Furthermore, I have been treating many people with long term soft tissue pain with these new cupping adaptations and the results have been rapid and excellent." – Bruce Bentley from Health Traditions
...and a few comments from our first CCC workshop held in Sydney (2009) were:
"I don't think I've ever spent one weekend learning so much in my life and I'm sure this will take my massage practice to the next level at the same time as saving my body from the stresses of extra work. It was amazing. Many Thanks. I'll be back for more." - Joanne Terrans (Remedial and Sports Massage Therapist)
"I'd been waiting for this weekend to come, and I got so much more out of it than I even expected." - Scott Lamb (Shiatsu Therapist)
"As a current massage therapist for the first grade National Rugby League, as well as for International Cricket events including the recent Indian Premier League tournament in South Africa (by recommendation from Julia Russell/physiotherapist), I have always relied on the therapy 'traditions' that the sports industry practises. My favoured technique being Myofascial Release, is practical and effective but can be time consuming. The 'Contemporary Cupping' course, for me, reflected many parallels with MFR that are less time consuming and equally as effective...if not more!! Thank you Bruce and Shirley for opening the imagination and making things easier." - Rod Parry
Note: Women who are pregnant should contact Bruce.
CERTIFICATE OF CUPPING THERAPY
Upon satisfactory completion of any of the Cupping Workshops, an atractive certificate of attendance is given. I addition, upon satisfactory completion of the three cupping workshops ie. the Eastern Traditional Cupping Workshop, the Western Traditional Cupping Workshop and the Contemporary Cupping Concepts - traditional practices refocussed - a CERTIFICATE OF CUPPING THERAPY will be awarded.
