CHARLOTTE – Speaking last week on knots, or issues in your muscles, I wanted to mention a few ways to help alleviate those pains.

Cupping: This has to be my favorite. It can be done in a way that’s not invasive. Yes, there are techniques like you’ve seen on athletes with the little dark red circles that look like they hurt. That technique is where the cups (I use silicon cups that I squeeze, which in turn creates a suction that can then attach to your skin) are attached to the skin and they sit stationary for a period of time. My technique is a sliding technique where I attach the cup to your skin and glide the cup over the areas that need improvement.

Fun fact, gliding the cup across your skin can actually show me where the issues are. The sliding cup will stop when there is a disparity in your muscle. It’s pretty cool. When you come see me, feel free to ask me to demonstrate.

I like to suggest cupping when there seems to be a lot of discomfort in the joint area, especially the shoulder and low back area. After massaging the muscle to get the tissue more malleable, taking the cup over the area helps lift the tissue (skin, muscle) and encourages the return of fresh healthy lymph and blood back into the area. We are seeing studies done now that say cupping encourages the muscle to create a protein that promotes healing. Isn’t that amazing?

-Lisa Lane, Licensed Massage and Bodywork Therapist (#13098) has been in business for almost 10 years in the Mint Hill area. To book an appointment, visit www.ncmassagesanctuary.massagetherapy.com and click book appointment.