Cupping therapy is a technique in which the practitioner places cups on the skin to create negative pressure through suction. The negative pressure decompresses and gently lifts the skin and superficial layers of muscle and fascial tissues to stimulate blood circulation and relieve pain caused by muscle tension, injuries, and inflammation.
Cupping therapy has its roots in ancient Egyptian and Chinese medicine. The material cups are made of, and the techniques used to apply them, have evolved over time. In ancient times, cups were made of bamboo, horn, brass, or glass. Today, cups are made from glass, silicone, or polycarbonate plastic.
Benefits of Cupping
- Relieves Pain
- Relieves Soreness Caused by Exercise, Injury, or Surgery
- Reduces Muscle Tension
- Promotes Healing
- Promotes Relaxation
In addition to the above benefits, combining cupping therapy with massage allows access to the deeper layers of muscle and fascia more quickly, improving the efficacy of deep tissue massage.
Does cupping therapy hurt?
It should definitely NOT hurt! It can feel like a slightly stingy, tugging sensation. I have an assortment of cups of varying strengths, and I always start with a light cup to acclimate you to the treatment. I use primarily dynamic cupping, which means I keep the cups in constant motion. This reduces the likelihood of cupping marks while still providing the benefits of cupping. If an area is particularly stubborn, I use static cupping, which means I’ll leave 1-4 cups in place for a few minutes. I use clear, medical-grade silicone cups, allowing me to monitor the quality of the tissue under the cup and to quickly adjust the level of suction to ensure you are comfortable. A little discomfort may be fine, but if you are ever in pain, please speak up and let me know!
What about those weird marks?
Cupping marks are not bruises. The suction created by cupping therapy can bring plasma, interstitial fluids, and lymph to the surface, creating the circular marks that are associated with cupping. Cupping marks should fade in 1-4 days. However, if the vacuum is too strong, excessive vasodilation and bruising can occur. I work diligently to ensure that the cups are providing the right level of suction to get good results while also making sure you are not bruising.
What are the cups made of?
I use clear medical-grade silicone “mushroom” style cups. They’re easy to apply and release – I simply squeeze the mushroom-shaped handle at the top of the cup to do so. A gentle squeeze results in lighter suction; a stronger squeeze creates heavier suction. The mushroom style cups are superior to other cups in that they don’t require flames, heat, or a pump, and they do not break if they’re accidentally dropped.
My cups are also platinum-cured, which means they have a high tensile strength and can stand up to repeated use and sterilization. I have several sets of cups, which means I have plenty of time to wash and properly sterilize my cups after each use.
How does cupping therapy compare to massage therapy?
Cupping therapy is the perfect complement to massage therapy.
One of the ways in which massage therapy works, specifically deep pressure massage and trigger point therapy, is the application of compression. This temporarily restricts the flow of blood to the superficial layers of muscle and tissue. Once the compression is released, the blood flow returns, delivering oxygen, nutrients, and enzymes to the tissue while carrying away metabolic waste.
Cupping therapy is similar in that it increases blood flow but does so by decompression and lifting up the tissue. It also distracts the nervous system by providing a unique sensation, disrupting the transmission of pain signals to the brain at the spinal cord.
I’m including cupping in my massage therapy treatments to target specific problem areas. Down the road, I may offer cupping as a stand-alone treatment option.
Contraindications
There are times when cupping is not recommended, so be sure to keep your therapist up to date on your health. Some contraindications including the following:
- Cancer
- Organ failure, especially heart, kidney, or liver
- Hemophilia/blood disorders/vascular disease
- Patients taking anti-coagulant medications
- Patients undergoing anti-platelet treatment
- Patients using a pacemaker
- Thrombophlebitis/Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Open wounds/skin conditions (psoriasis, eczema, dermatitis)
- Fractures or breaks in osseous (bone) tissue
- Auto-immune conditions in active flare-up state
Pre and Post Cupping
For best results, be sure to hydrate sufficiently before and after cupping therapy. Hydration, good nutrition, movement, and plenty of rest are key to ensuring your body’s natural metabolic processes are supported.
Sources
- Furhad S, Bokhari AA. Cupping Therapy. [Updated 2022 May 8]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Retrieved October 10, 2022, from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK538253/
- What is cupping therapy: Cupping FAQS. Global Cupping. (n.d.). Retrieved October 10, 2022, from https://www.globalcupping.com/cupping-faq