Massage and Cupping Therapy

On Tuesday I had the most incredible 1st time experience with cupping therapy paired with massage therapy provided by Alyssa Dillaman.

I booked a session with her because I was experiencing a persistent pain in my shoulder (from overuse and just crushing it at CrossFit lately hahaha) , and to have her relieve another persistent pain in my right IT band from tri-training.

She's her own boss babe and works out of a space inside Mint, a boutique Spa, as a licensed massage therapist.

With over 9 years of school and experience, she has mastered the technique of body work massage and is a magnificently gifted wellness provider.

She truly loves her job and love helping to give her clients the best needed care.

She specializes in deep tissue work, cupping therapy, Swedish, pregnancy, sport and stretching during my work. She listens to her clients needs and requests and provides exceptional service.

I had the pleasure of spending 60 minutes with Alyssa to have a massage paired with cupping therapy. She provided the information on the treatment below:

What is cupping therapy???

Cupping is a therapy grounded in ancient traditional medicine. It uses negative pressure to improve the circulation of blood and lymph. The goal is to help the body rid itself of stagnant toxins. We all have toxins in our bodies, especially in today’s climate. Toxins come from the foods we eat, the air we breathe, and the water we drink. Toxins are also released in the body’s regular processes like cellular respiration, which produces metabolic waste, and muscle regeneration (especially if you work out regularly), which produces lactic acid.

The lymphatic system is the best way our bodies get rid of toxins and fight disease. You learned about this in science class in middle school. Many of the lymphatic vessels sit just under the surface of your skin. Cupping brings the toxins in your body straight to these vessels so they can do their work faster and more efficiently. The end result? Your tight muscles, chronic pain, and other mental and physical stressors are alleviated. Your body can heal itself naturally more easily.

It’s not only for athletics it for everyone, it can help with so many things! It’s also a great detox too with your massages, also can help with cellist too everyone has this issue it pull up the muscles in your leg up and drained your body too! Also can help with water weight on your stomach too (bloated) !

What does it feel like???

This helps relax and open muscles. Alyssa knows where every fiber in your back belongs and can pinpoint the kinks and “triggers”. In fact, when she's massaging your back, she's feeling for the spots of where she should place the cups. As she slowly begins to place the cups on your back, she never really stops massaging. Alyssa is constantly feeling for the next spot to place a cup.

As the suction from the cups takes hold, there is no pain. I repeat: I experienced no pain. It simply felt like an extension of the massage ans like the muscle was being "lifted from the pain trigger".

At the end, I did have 2 super light marks on my chest and back from the suction.

Why massage treatment.

I'm a frequent flyer for massages. I used to belong to a membership-based program but got annoyed at the inconsistency of service.

I have since been popping around to CMT for specializes sports massages and am building quite the Rolodex.

Alyssa made her way EASILY into the treasured contacts section! I am BEYOND THRILLED to have found her. I didn't once feel like I was getting "a body rub" or wasting my money. The pressure and massage methods she used were FREAKING SPOT ON. She targeted my shoulder and IT band in ways that I'm not able to "self-massage" and worked out all the tension and tightness.

After it was all finished, I felt INCREDIBLE and absolutely PAIN FREE- THE SHOULDER pain was non- existent and the IT pain- GONE AS WELL.

If you're interested in cupping therapy BOOK a session with her:

Use Happy Body or tell her Bethany send you for a referral code and special rate!

Call, email or text to set up your session. Alyssa Dillaman

804.882.0009

alyssadillaman@gmail.com

MINT, A Boutique Spa

1811 Hugenaut Rd

Midlothian, Va 23113

(Last set of buildings on the left in the back)