DECOMPRESSION THERAPY: WHAT IT IS, HOW IT WORKS
Decompression Massage Therapy is a mechanical means of manipulating soft body tissue and muscle structure by alternating the atmospheric pressure in a localized area (which depends on the size of the cup or wand being used). This repeating, pulsating pattern alternates between normal atmospheric pressure and a partial vacuum of up to "one atmosphere less" in the localized area.
This painless, non-invasive, gently pulsating "lifting and releasing" action is repeated on this localized area for a specific amount of time (say five minutes, for example) depending on several factors. The cup or cups (up to four cups can be used at one time) can be moved at any time to other localized areas of soft tissue, covering as much of the entire body as time and the treatment plan allows.
As you can see from the photo above, the size of the cups or wands goes from the very small and delicate for work on the face, to much larger cups and wands for the larger areas of the body such as the abdomen, hips, legs, etc.
And just what does this treatment accomplish? It helps the body function better in three primary ways:
Therapeutically, it affects nine of the eleven body systems: circulatory, digestive, endocrine, immune, lymph, muscular, nervous respiratory and urinary. It functions as a natural healing accelerator and does this in three primary ways:
1) DE-STAGNATION. It causes soft tissue to become more mobilized (gets it moving). The pulsating movement exercises connective tissue, fascia and muscles. They virtually "go to the gym" as they stretch and contract in sync with the rhythmic pattern of the low pressure pumping action.
2) DETOXIFICATION. By creating a low pressure area in the body, toxins and metabolic wastes are free to be released and disposed of through the lymph system. And blood, filled with oxygen and nutrients, rushes from underneath to the surface to energize the tissue in this area. This increase in circulation is visible as the skin quickly and temporarily changes to a pinkish or even reddish tone.
3) FLUID BALANCE. Finally, soft tissue decompression promotes fliud balance. When fluids equalize, swelling is reduced--as well as the discomfort that often accompanies it. This process shortens injury recovery time.
Though gentle and painless, this pulsating action penetrates quite deeply (up to several inches in some body areas) and has been found to benefit or correct many muscular and soft tissue problems
Though not yet widely known in today's American culture, decompression therapy has been a primary health treatment used by billions of people since ancient times.