Workshop FAQ's

Q - What are the prerequisites for the Cupping Workshops?

A - Prerequisites for the Contemporary Cupping Methods is the completed study of Physiology, Anatomy and Kinesiology.

The Advanced Modules are built on the Contemporary Cupping Methods 3 Day and the 4 day Negative Pressure Massage workshops.
These or a similar workshop of 16+ continuing Ed Hours, is the minimal prerequisite for the Advanced Modules.

If you did take training by other sources, you will need to ensure you are comfortable with the operation of the equipment involved in the ACT class.

Q - What do I need to bring to the workshop with me?

A - What you will need to bring will differ depending on the location - see below...

• This, being a Bodywork class, includes that you be able to bring a massage table and bolster.
  Since you will be working in pairs, not everyone needs to bring one. Your instructor will assist with these details.
  
• Notepad & Pen
• 3 LARGE Beach Towels, or 4 regular sized bath towels
• 3 flat sheets and 2 face cradle covers
• 6 hand towels (2 per day)
• 1 Pillow
• Water Bottle

* - For the Advanced Classes you will need to bring your Cupping Equipment - please email us for more information!!

Q - What will be provided for me?

A - Print materials, oils, Cupping equipment (CCM class) and sundry supplies (to be used in lab) - will all be provided.

Q - Do I need to prepurchase the Cupping Equipment?

A - In the CCM class - you do not need to bring any equipment at all.
Upon completion, you will have the option of purchasing the equipment at the workshop location. The educators will have enough on hand for the students to acquire what they need to do the treatments they've learned ~ buying equipment is completely optional to you.

The cost of equipment starts at $40.00 for the Baguanfa Cups and goes up from there. All equipment prices are listed on this link equipment page.

A - In the FR class - you do not need to bring any equipment at all. The cost of this class includes the Master Facial Cupping Set (Bells and Belletazze), the facial stones and manual to do the treatments and make the skin food recipes.

A - In the ACT class - you will need to bring your Cupping equipment...as part of the prerequisite for the Advanced training - it is assumed you are fluent in using the 4 types of Cupping equipment used throughout the training - so be prepared for that.

Q - What can I expect as far as physical effects from the suction cup therapy that I will give and receive in Lab?

A - We have witnessed a myriad of results and various reports by the student bodies post lab.

Different experiences include:
• the need for sleep
• extreme hunger
• nausea
• euphoria
• feelings of being "hung over"
• increased bowel elimination
• no appetite
• "best nights' sleep in a long time"
• inability to sleep
• etc.

The 3 days you will be in the workshop are very full – mentally and physically, and there are some preparatory guidelines we have noticed make a big difference for people.

• For several days before the workshop – minimize your consumption of red and processed meats, dairy, caffeine, sugar, alcohol and white foods (bread, flour, pasta).
• Drink a lot of natural juices and water.
• Go easy on strenuous exercise and stress – try to get plenty of sleep.
• Do some stretching in the mornings and evenings to prepare 3 days of treatment.

An important potential in class is, for each practitioner to personally experience the subtle yet powerful effects of Cupping - even to a reasonable amount of overtreatment, firsthand. We will discuss in class how best to address and avoid the potentials derived from cupping, and how to educate our clients at the same time.

Q - What must be demonstrated to achieve sucess in the Cupping Workshop?

A - All participants in our trainings must provide and receive each treatment as demonstrated by the instructor with another student in class to successfully complete our training. The demonstration of competency will be the hands-on exchanges between student practitioners during labs.

If there is a medical reason why you cannot fulfill the requirements for the training, address this BEFORE registering.
Example - waiting until a week before the workshop to let your instructor know you are pregnant will not fly... you will be asked to choose another date until those issues can be considered and accomodated for in a timely manner - not just before the dates. If you are aware of a condition that may prevent you from full participation or, an issue presents after you've registered - get ahold of Aaron ASAP at aaron@cuppingtherapy.org to address this.

The other gauge in place may be the open book / group involved self assessment - it will allow you to discuss and demonstrate your understanding of the basics, applications & benefits, safety & contraindications, marketing & integration for suction cup therapies.

We cover these topics during lecture and you will be supplied with reading material to futher seat the information.

Q - What's the explanation of the marks or discolorations that sometimes occur as a result from Suction Therapy?

A - One of the common and unfortunate misconceptions concerning cupping is the misinterpretation of the discoloration. “Bruising” is caused by impact trauma with breakage of capillaries and reactionary rush of fluids to the damaged area from the tissue compression/injury. There is no compression in properly employed suction cup therapy. Although it is quite common during Stationary Cupping (left static for 5 - 20 minutes) to achieve dramatic 'marks' or 'discolourations', the less aggressive action of moving the cups, minimizes the intensity and duration of the discolorations.

Wet Cupping involves the scarification (puncturing) or scoring of the tissue surface, for the purpose of draining out dredged up stagnation acheived during cupping treatments. Since we do not break the skin in Negative Pressure Massage, the dissipation of these fluid deposits must be dispelled and flushed out via the body's own circulatory systems.

Often, when a condition exists within deeper structures where sufficient pathologic factors and stagnant fluids (toxins, blood and lymph) are dredged up during treatment, discoloration will appear on the skin. This is the therapeutically desired effect – the more this is visible, the greater the level of stagnation and toxicity. The discoloration will fade over a few days. As treatments cummulate and the release of stagnation and buildup has been thixolated, dispursed and drained – (usually by the 3rd or 4th treatment) no discoloration is likely to occur at all. Even though each time the cupping may have been focused on the same area for the same duration and with the same amount of negative pressure. This is clearly the result of having internal unwanted toxins systematically purged.

But, regardless of the therapeutic value in drawing these agents out of the body, it is vitally important to educate your clients to the nature of the discoloration and self care. Provide them the understanding of the marks to assist them in relaying accurate information to others who might see it. If there is concern about leaving discolorations on clients, and/or the process of educating these clients is unwanted (including a release form) – then suction cup therapy is not for you.

There are simply people who will not want such marks - no matter how potent the health benefits. And, being uneducated about the marks (like the "significant other" upon seeing it on their back) will perceive this as bruising and can become very concerned. It is the responsibility of the Practitioner to carefully screen, educate and support their clients in this matter.

(Please click on this link for more info about Cup marks)

Q - Are you available to come and provide the workshops to my location?

A - Yes.
Please contact Gretchen McLaurin at gretchen@cuppingtherapy.org so we can discuss your needs and make the neccessary arrangements.

Q - What is the Workshop Cancellation Policy?

A - Up to 2 weeks before the workshop, we refund tuition 100% - less $25.00 administration fee. Between 1 week and 2 weeks before the 1st day, 50% refunded - less $25.00 administration fee.  Less than 1 week - no refunds. Cancellation and rebooking must be made in writing.

ICTA reserves the right to cancel a workshop up to 2.5 weeks prior to the date. Do not purchase airline tickets until you have confirmed with us that your dates are being held. ICTA will not be responsible for airline ticket penalties, interruptions of travel, hotel expenses, lost or damaged property.

ICTA will not be held responsible for untended or cancelled email addresses or non-functioning phone numbers to make proper contact with those registered. Registrants must contact ICTA in the even they change their contact information.
You will receive emails from us - within 48 business hrs after registering, once the instructor chooses the venue location and about 1 week before your dates from your instructor directly.
IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THESE EMAILS - then contact the office IMMEDIETELY and make sure we have the correct email address for you!

No solicitations will be allowed in or during the workshops. No recordings, digital media, texting or phone calls allowed in workshops. One warning will be given to anyone who violates these policies.

Cupping can be integrated into the majority of health care practices - Acupuncturists, Massage Therapists, Physiotherapists, ND's, Nurses, Doctors, Sports Therapists and Medi-Spa specialists to name a few.

Due to its wide application, many other therapies can greatly benefit from Cupping techniques including; Aromatherapy, Reflexology, Kinesiology, Detoxification, Biomagnetic Field Therapy, Chiropractics, Shiatsu, Osteopathy, aesthetic protocols, pre and post surgical care.

Cupping should be combined or used as a supplement to traditional massage sessions. The results from the cups are comparable to other expensive and many times painful treatments that usually require large mechanical devices to deliver the results that you expect and want.

Benefits

Since the techniques use negative pressure, rather than tissue compression, superior bodywork ranging from MFR and deep tissue work to MLD is easily accomplished. The suction of the cups rapidly facilitates rigid soft tissue release by stretching it up from underlying structures, thus loosening areas of adhesion or restriction, activating muscle spindle reflexes that relax contractile tissue and retraining the myofacial structures. Further, it stimulates the nervous system reflex to the cerebral cortex, contributing to an increased rate of recovery from pain and disease.

The effects are remarkable on hypertonicity and aching muscles and activate the secretion of synovial fluids, which release joint stiffness in ways not possible using the pressure of traditional massage. It concurrently creates localized expansion of tissue, producing a profound vasodilatation reaction - drawing blood flow to areas of ischemic pain, raising skin temperature, promoting metabolism within the skin tissue for better functioning of sweat and sebaceous glands, flushing capillary beds, draining stagnant blood, toxins and lymph, and re-supplying vital nutrients.

Its use in beauty therapy is based around promoting hormone production, encouraging blood and the secretion of digestive fluids and increased peristaltic movements in the bowels and internal organs, thus removing harmful toxins that speed up the ageing process and other degenerative conditions. Another effective application of the cupping technique is in the treatment of cellulite. A very light suction provides drainage and exfoliation, while deeper applications can be used to exercise the muscles, stimulate circulation and loosen adhesions or “dimpling.” The thighs and hip region should be cupped prior to a wrapping procedure to enhance the absorption of topical products. Another application of Suction is an extraordinary facial lift and drainage treatment and, with the addition of new equipment that include negative and positive polarity magnet make Biomagnetic Therapy potentials tremendous.

CONTRAINDICATIONS FOR CUPPING

Cupping is contraindicated in cases of severe diseases, i.e. cardiac failure, renal failure, ascites due to hepato-cirrhosis and severe edema, as well as hemorrhagic diseases such as allergic pupura, hemophilia and leukemia, and clients with dermatosis, destruction of skin, or allergic dermatitis. Cupping should not be applied on the portion where hernia exists or has occurred in the past. For this Cupping workshops, pregnant women should contact us in advance to registering to discuss your ability to successfully take the 2 - 3 days of Cupping.

There are other contraindications that need to be considered with 3 back to back days of Cupping that would normally not be an issue with a once a week regimen most clients will undergo.

You must inform us of any condition you have or have had in the last 6 months. This includes pregnancy, skin conditions, surgeries, injuries and medications.