Learning Objective: Learner will learn an enhancement protocol focused on the back region integrating a cups and hands-on method

Gliding Cupping Massage for the Back is a combination of cups and hands, utilizing positive and negative pressure. The service allows a client exposure to Cupping Massage Therapy with a focus on the back region. The back allows for an array of techniques to be utilized to benefit the client. 

Back Sequence

Step 1.1: Prepare Your Client

• Stand at the head of the massage table and expose back with proper draping protocol.
• Press 2 to 4 drops of the chosen Pure Essential Complex Oil onto the occipital hollow, shoulders, middle back, and lower back. 
• Perform effleurage glide with hands from lower back to occipital hollow and end with compression at occipital crest. 
• Pause and practice for 5 minutes.

Step 1.2: Hands-on Effleurage

• Apply prescribed Bellabaci Professional Massage Oil liberally.
• Perform Hands-On Effleurage on the back. 
• Purpose: lubricate the region to allow for a smooth glide of the silicone cups and palpate region to determine the muscular condition to allow for customization of treatment. Effective for warming up and calming down the muscle tissue. Allows the hands to determine areas of tightness.
• Perform three times.                                          
• Pause and practice for 5 minutes.

Step 1.3: Kneading

• Perform Kneading: stand on right side of massage table and knead with your hands on the left side of the body, starting at gluteus medius and work up into the upper shoulder and back to starting point. 
• Purpose: kneading enhances the fluid movement in the deeper tissues and can help soften and broaden superficial tissues. Kneading helps reduce adhesions and stretch muscle tissue and fascia.  
• Perform three times.
• Move to left side of massage table and knead the right side of the body. 
• Perform three times.
• Pause and practice for 5 minutes.

Step 1.4: The Cup Effleurage

• Perform The Cup Effleurage: stand at the head of the massage table and use a soft Body Cup with weak suction pressure, glide with a moderate speed from upper to lower back directly on the left erector spinae muscle using Triangle Hand Position. When reaching the lower back, create a circle over the Gluteal to “make a U-turn” to come back up to the start point. This ensures a smooth and continuous movement. 
• Purpose: the vacuum suction and gliding of the cup rolls the skin, pulls and moves connective tissue which loosens muscle tissue while promoting blood flow. The effect is comparable to cross fiber and skin rolling techniques. 
• Perform three times.
• Perform on the right erector spinae muscle for three times.
• Pause and practice for 5 minutes.

Step 1.5: Circles

• Perform Circles: stand at the head of the massage table and divide the left side of the back in to 3 sections; upper, middle and lower. Use a Body Cup with weak to medium suction pressure, glide with a moderate speed creating big circles on the 3 sectioned areas using Triangle Hand Position. After performing the last lower back circle, glide the cup up to the neck area on the erector spinae and do not break contact. 
• Purpose: circle pattern creates a gentle stretch and warming of the muscle tissue and broadly covers the surface area. 
• Perform three times. 
• Repeat process on right side for three times.
• Pause and practice for 5 minutes.

Step 1.6: The Spine Clearing

• Perform The Spine Clearing: stand at the head of the massage table and use a soft Body Cup or Super Cup and slowly drain the spine with weak to medium suction pressure, gliding from the cervical vertebrae ending at the sciatic region or as low as permitted and then glide straight back up to starting point using Triangle Hand Position or Goal Post Hand Position. Ensure that you have full contact on the back as you glide the cup.
• Perform four to six times. 
• Pause and practice for 5 minutes.

Note: cupping is a rare method where negative pressure can be applied to the spine. Apply only positive pressure from the hands around the cup on the erector spinae. 

Caution: do not perform this if the spine is too bony.

Step 1.7: Taking Out the Trash

• Perform Taking out the Trash: stand on side of massage table and use a soft Body Cup or Super Cup with a weak to medium suction pressure, drain very slowly the lymph from the mid-line outwards using a Goal Post Hand Position, starting at the lower back and move towards the upper shoulders. Release suction with the cup when reaching the side, before air can enter the cup to avoid any noise and gently glide back to starting point with your hand only. This step is to move the lymph closer to the lymph nodes on the sides and between the ribs.
• Move to other side of the massage table and perform Taking Out The Trash on the right side of the back. 
• Purpose: creates space which allows for ease of movement for rib cage expansion and breathing. Draining will promote toxin removal from the body. 
• Pause and practice for 5 minutes.

Step 1.8: Vibrations

• Perform Vibrations: stand at the side of the massage table and use the soft Body Cup or Super Cup with a weak to strong suction pressure. Jostle the cup by squeezing the cup in the center of the cup along on the left erector spinae muscle with a Thumb-Fingers Squeeze Hand Position glide with a moderate speed, guide and glide with opposite hand. Begin at the base of the spine and glide up to the neck. Trail with the opposite hand gliding on the body. 
• Purpose: effective for relieving tight muscle attachments and muscles, reducing stress, and improving circulation.
• Perform three times.
• Perform Vibrations down the right erector spinae muscle for three times. 
• Pause and practice for 5 minutes.

Step 1.9A: The Fish Bite

• Perform The Fish Bite: stand on the side of the massage table and use the Body Cup or Super Cup with a weak to strong suction pressure, perform a squeeze and release action along the left side of the erector spinae muscle with a Thumb-Fingers Squeeze Hand Position glide with a moderate speed, from lower back to neck, never losing full contact; guide and glide with opposite hand. This movement is slow and methodical. 
• Purpose: stimulating the immune system by encouraging blood and qi flow. 
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• Perform three times. 
• Perform on the right erector spinae muscle for three times. 
• Pause and practice for 5 minutes.

Step 1.9B: Two-Handed Fish Bite

• When using the Super Cup, stand on the side of the massage table and use Two Handed Thumb-Fingers Squeeze Hand Position to squeeze and release to mitigate hand-fatigue.
• Pause and practice for 5 minutes.

Step 1.10: The Boat

• Perform The Boat: stand on the side of the massage table and use Body Cup or Super Cup with medium to strong suction pressure, twist the cup along the left erector spinae muscle, starting at the lower back and workup to the neck with a Thumb-Fingers Squeeze Hand Position; guide cup glide with a moderate speed with L-Shape Hand Technique. 
• Purpose: lifting and twisting action will loosen tight muscle tissue.
• Perform three times. 
• Perform on the right erector spinae muscle for three times.
• Pause and practice for 5 minutes.

Step 1.11: Figure of Eight or Infinity Sign

• Perform Figure of Eight or Infinity Sign: stand at the head of the massage table and divide the full back into 3 sections, upper, middle and lower. Use Body Cup or Super cup with medium to strong suction pressure glide with a moderate speed using Triangle Hand Position, perform an infinity sign or Figure of Eight over the 3 sections. Start at the midpoint of spine and create the Figure of Eight. This is a continuous movement once lower back circle is completed, glide back to starting point over the erector spinae muscle and into the occipital hollow.
• Purpose: calm down the muscle tissue.
• Perform three times.
• Pause and practice for 5 minutes.

Step 1.12: The Three Smiles

• Perform The Three Smiles: stand at the head of the massage table and use Body Cup or Super Cup with weak to medium suction pressure, “draw” a half circle with a Triangle Hand Position around the left scapula for three times, glide below the neck and perform three smiles and glide around the right scapula glide with a moderate speed. This movement is continuous and flows from one half circle into the next. 
• Purpose: for shearing and elongating effect on the trapezius, latissimus dorsi, and rhomboids.
• Perform three times.
• Pause and practice for 5 minutes.

Step 1.13: Cervical/Thoracic Circles

• Perform Cervical/Thoracic Circles: stand at the head of the massage table and use the Body Cup or Super Cup with weak to medium suction pressure, perform a circle over the cervical and thoracic vertebrae glide with a moderate speed with a Triangle Hand Position. Drain into the neck.
• Purpose: circle pattern creates a gentle stretch and warming of the muscle tissue and broadly covers the surface area. 
• Perform six to eight times.
• Pause and practice for 5 minutes.