Windsurfing is a type of natural treatment in which suction cups are used to improve blood circulation in a body location. For this, the suction cups create a vacuum effect, which sucks the skin, resulting in an increase in the diameter of the blood vessels in the exact location. As a result, there is a greater oxygenation of these tissues, allowing the release of toxins from the blood and muscle more easily.
Thus, this treatment is often used in the treatment of cellulite, as increased blood circulation can reduce the appearance of peel orange skin. In addition, windsurfing is also widely used as a natural way to combat muscle pain, as the pressure difference caused by the vacuum delocates the skin of the muscle and increases the amount of blood, having a relaxing action.
Check out other natural ways to relieve muscle pain.
Main benefits
Suction cup treatment can be indicated to eliminate back pain caused by muscle tension or contractures, swelling in the arms, legs or feet, joint pain, and is also a good complement in the treatment of cellulite.
That's because its key benefits include:
- Increase in local blood circulation;
- Elimination of muscle contractures and trigger points;
- Strengthens blood vessels;
- Increase the production of synovial fluid within the joints;
- Relax and calm the body and mind.
The most suitable therapists for suction cup treatment are those trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, the acupuncturist and the physical therapist who specializes in acupuncture or who are aware of this type of technique.
This treatment is also widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and is often associated with acupuncture to treat various health disorders in order to reenergize the meridians through which the Ki vital energy passes. See the benefits of acupuncture for health.
How to do windsurfing
For treatment with suction cups, leave the area to be treated uncovered and apply an oil or moisturizer to the skin to allow the suction cups to slide through the skin.
The suction cups should then be placed in the treatment area. The 3 most common ways to apply suction cups to the body are with:
- Silicone cup: just press the silicone cup with your fingers and then put on the skin, because of the vacuum that forms inside it the skin is sucked and the suction cup gets stuck;
- Glass cup: lift a candle and place the flame inside the glass and then place the glass on the skin. The vacuum forms when the oxygen from inside the glass is consumed by the candle and so if applied quickly on the skin, it sucks it;
- Electronic suction cup: simply place the suction cups in the place you want to treat and then connect the appliance to the vacuum force you wish to use. Slowly the skin is sucked and the suction cup gets stuck in the skin.
It is also possible to use the suction cups associated with other techniques such as acupuncture needles inside each suction cup, medicinal plants, with bleeding or with water, for example.
How much time to apply
The duration varies between 5 and 15 minutes and individual sessions can be performed to combat back pain, or up to 8 sessions performed once a week for 8 consecutive weeks.
When the suction cup is put under too much pressure or left standing for too long, blood bubbles may appear on the spot and if this happens the treatment should be stopped immediately.
Contraindications of windsotherapy
Although it is relatively safe, treatment with windsurf therapy has some contraindications and therefore should not be applied in people who have:
- Thrombosis, thrombophlebitis or hemorrhagic disorders;
- Varicose veins;
- Wounds;
- Fever;
- Fracture at the site to be treated.
In addition, treatment with suction cups should also be avoided during pregnancy, especially if there is no medical supervision.
Some situations that are not absolute contraindications but that need more attention when using this type of treatment are: people with uncontrolled high blood pressure, soon after practicing exercises and their application in areas that do not have a good muscular layer, having more prominent bony extremities.
How is the treatment and what can happen after
The treatment can be done with the person lying on a stretcher where 1, 2 or several suction cups are placed in the place to be treated. Suction cups can be placed only on top of a contracture in the back or can slide through all the muscles of the back.
As windsurfing may favor flaccidity, this treatment should not be done exclusively to eliminate cellulite nodules, but should be used in a protocol that involves the use of firming creams and devices such as radiofrequency. Understand how radiofrequency acts against cellulite.
If windsurfing is performed during the menstrual period after treatment, menstruation of the woman may be more intense than usual, may appear purple in the treated sites and urine may become a little darker than usual.
How to reduce pain and purple suction marks
When a large amount of vacuum is used the treatment site may remain sore for about 5 days, but it may be noted that the person will have purple marks on the body, as soon as the first few minutes of application of the suction cup, observe the redness and purplish color that appears.
So, to prevent this from happening, what you can do is to decrease the pressure of each suction cup and not let it stay in one place. A good strategy for the skin not to be marked or sore is to use little pressure inside the suction cup and apply oil to the skin and constantly move the suction cup over the area to be treated.
Taking a warm bath and massaging the region that has been treated with mosqueta rose oil is an excellent home treatment to prevent pain and purple marks on the skin after treatment.