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Arnica in the Lab

Laboratory experiments on animals suggest arnica may have the ability to kill bacteria and reduce inflammation, according to researchers at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center’s Integrative Medicine Department, though more research is needed to see if these results can be replicated in humans.

Arnica, according to another research, may help to reduce bruising and expedite wound healing after surgical treatments. In a 2010 study, a topical ointment containing 20% arnica was shown to be more effective than placebo or low-concentration vitamin K creams at reducing bruising.

One Herb, Many Applications

Arnica is available as creams, ointments, gels, and oils. According to massage therapist Dianna Dapkins, creator and owner of a firm that sells arnica-infused massage creams, oils, and lotions, arnica gel products are mainly alcohol-based and provide a marginal benefit over other forms. Arnica creams are a little better, although they usually only have a little quantity of the herb in them. Arnica oil, according to Dapkins, is most effective when it is concentrated.

Dapkins further points out that the geographic region in which the arnica flower is cultivated has an influence on its efficacy. “The greater the altitude, the better.” “Flowers cultivated in Switzerland or the Rocky Mountains will have stronger anti-inflammatory effects,” she claims.

Massage to Facilitate Drainage

Many conventional and efficient massage techniques need upward movement to the occipital ridge and gentle pressure of the neck. Integrating downward motions into head, neck, and face massage can help to empty cranial lymph and provide a lot of value to soft tissue work.

Head and neck drainage follows the cervical spine down to the anterior neck, superior to the clavicle, and toward the central clavicular notch. The sternocleidomastoid drainage chain connects the drainage chain superior to the clavicle as anterior drainage flows down the sternocleidomastoid. One day, take a look around and see how many people have puffy faces and necks. Some people merely have congestion above the collarbone, while others have more severe congestion affecting the upper thoracic region.

How Cupping Therapy Can Help

Vacuum therapy is an excellent method for lymphatic liquefaction, drainage, and soft tissue release. The process of liquefaction is the transformation of a solid into a liquid. Congestion of the face and body can be caused by thicker lymph, which restricts drainage and causes further congestion, similar to how a highway bottleneck traps automobiles for miles.

Application of heat before vacuum therapies can also help soften very thick, old congestion. A warm towel wrap or steam on the face and neck prior to treatment works well to begin both liquefaction of lymph and vasodilation of blood vessels in the skin and it feels great, too.

Either manual cups or a machine can be used on the face and neck. Low-suction vacuum machines have been part of basic esthetic equipment for decades, and lymphatic drainage is the foundation of many facial treatments and facial massage movements. Massage therapists are now incorporating vacuum therapies into bodywork, and working on the face during the session will quickly become a client favorite.

Headaches

Headaches are a common complaint brought to our massage tables, and vacuum therapy soft tissue release techniques and vacuum drainage combine well to address the myriad of causes. Observe the tissue inside and around the cup to detect adhesions or discolorations, using deeper suction for muscular tension and lighter suction and pumping for drainage.