Perhaps you’ve heard the term “Chinese cupping”. You may have even seen the tell-tale signs of a recent cupping session- reddish-purple circular marks on someone’s back, shoulders, arms, or legs. But what does it involve, and what does it do?
Cupping therapy, in various forms, has been used across continents for centuries as a therapeutic tool to treat a variety of maladies. In its most basic definition, cupping therapy involves the application of cups to skin to create a vacuum via suction. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) cupping is believed to stimulate stagnant qi (life force). These cups are typically made of glass, and suction is created by lighting a fire in the cup just before application onto the skin for an extended length of time.
In a massage session, cupping therapy may be utilized to address muscle pain, reduce inflammation, increase blood and lymph circulation, and improve joint mobilization. These cups are typically made of plastic or silicon, and suction is created with the use of a hand pump, or by squeezing the cups. When applied to the skin, the vacuum effect draws the tissue into the cup increasing blood flow to the affected area while creating space between layers of tissue, both superficial and deep. Cups of varying sizes may be applied to any region of the body, and left to sit for a few minutes or moved along or across tissue fibers, depending on the therapist’s desired result.
A number of studies have shown that cupping can “benefit perception of pain, increase range of motion, and increase function and quality of life,” both for professional athletes and patients suffering with chronic pain. The advantage that cupping offers as a massage tool lies in the decompression it creates between multiple layers of tissue- from the skin through the fascial network, and into underlying muscles, tendons, and ligaments. This multilayer decompression allows the flow of fresh oxygenated blood and lymph to these areas, and improves internal and external glide of the layers of soft tissue. Increased blood and lymph flow by their nature may help reduce inflammation and assist in tissue recovery of the affected area; while decompression of layers of “stuck” tissue can help reduce pain and tension, and facilitate range of motion.
While it can be beneficial to incorporate cupping therapy in your massage session, it is also important to note that cupping is not for every body. Cupping should not be used on areas with open wounds, skin conditions, varicose veins, fragile or sensitive skin. People with anemia, skin conditions, blood clots, hemophilia or who are or may be pregnant should seek the advice of their physician first, or avoid cupping therapy.
Depending on your current overall health, indications and contraindications, and desired outcome, your qualified therapist can determine the appropriate cupping techniques to apply during your session for the best results.
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References
Thomas, LMT, Stacy. “The Emerging Science on the Benefits of Cuping.” Massage Magazine, Issue 270, November 2018, pp 56 – 59.
Kohlmeier, LMT, Paul. “Cupping for Lymphatic Drainage: An Exploration of Fast, Flash and Massage Cupping Techniques.” Massage Magazine, Issue 330, November 2023, pp 56 – 59.
Gorey, Gregory. “Cupping Explained.” BodySense Magazine, Autumn 2016. http://www.bodysensemagazinedigital.com/i/727614-autumn-2016/13? . Accessed 1 November 2023.