Will cupping therapy leave me with big, red spots? Or…will it look like I got into a fight with an octopus and lost?
What is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy is an ancient therapeutic practice that has been used for thousands of years across various cultures and civilizations. Its history can be traced back to ancient Egypt, China, and the Middle East. First, practitioners would select the appropriate type of cup, often made from materials like bamboo, ceramic, or glass. Then, a small flame was briefly inserted into the cup to create heat and partial vacuum. The cup was quickly placed on the patient's skin, and as the air inside cooled, it created suction, causing the skin and underlying tissue to be drawn up into the cup. This suction would often result in the characteristic circular marks or "cupping marks" on the skin. Today, cupping therapy is practiced worldwide.
What conditions can Cupping Therapy improve?
Cupping is employed by practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine, naturopathy, massage therapy, and holistic medicine to address a range of conditions, such as:
pain management
muscle tension
inflammation
stress relief
Cupping is very helpful for athletes and people recovering from surgery!
How does Cupping benefit the body?
Immediate blood flow to the tissues (which brings oxygen and nutrients that allow muscles to work better and the body to repair tissues faster)
Negative pressure on tissues, that is, lifting the tissues. This alleviates tension in muscles through movement, and separates the layers of muscles allowing much better blood flow between the layers and better distribution of the oxygen and nutrients they need for repair (See #1)!
Cupping can move the tissues underneath the skin in a way that a massage therapist cannot do with hands alone.
Cupping feels great!
Do you always get big, red spots with Cupping?
No, you do not. There are two different methods of cupping: static and dynamic. Static cupping is more likely to leave red spots than dynamic cupping.
What’s the difference between static and dynamic Cupping?
Static Cupping - Cups are placed on the body and left in place for 20-30 minutes. This method of cupping will generally leave red spots.
Dynamic Cupping - The cup is attached to a machine (I use the Ace Medi-cupping machine - see below) which creates the vacuum with suction. The machine can be set to a pumping motion which draws skin up into the cup in short intervals or it can be set for a gliding motion which draws skin up into the cup as it moves smoothly along the skin, lifting muscles and creating a ripple effect. Dynamic cupping generally does not leave red spots.
Are red spots bad?
Nah, these red spots are harmless! If you end up with some red marks, it’s just a sign that the blood is concentrated in these areas and bringing lots of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues which will help them work better and repair faster!
How long will red spots last?
The spots will fade on their own in a few days. So you might want to plan your beach vacation accordingly or be prepared to tell lots of stories about how you met an octopus and became friends (or enemies).
Interested in trying Cupping Therapy?
