An Introduction to Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy, an ancient practice rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is increasingly being integrated with modern massage therapy to enhance therapeutic outcomes. Ancient medicinal practices also led to the development of cupping therapy with its purpose to remove toxins from the body. It is currently used worldwide by people of varying concerns; athletes use cupping regularly as a method to increase blood flow and enhance performance. Today’s discussion provides an introduction to the practice of cupping therapy and how it may be helpful to you and your treatment goals.

What is Cupping Therapy?

• History and Basics: Cupping involves placing cups on the skin to create suction, believed to help with pain, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation, and overall well-being.
• Types of Cupping: There are various types, including dry cupping, wet cupping, and fire cupping, each with specific benefits.
  • Dry Cupping can be done with three methods:
    • Flash Cupping: Involving the quick and repetitive application of cups, with minimal retention. This reduces local congestion, and stimulates circulation over a broader area.
    • Sliding Cupping: This method requires massage oil or lotion, and the cup is applied and slid carefully across a certain area. This method can be slightly uncomfortable, but is effective on muscle adhesions and increased circulation.
    • Stationary Cupping: The cups are applied on the body and remain there for about 10 minutes. This method can target deeper muscles in the back, minimal movement can also help with relaxation.

How Cupping Compliments Massage Therapy

• Enhanced Blood Flow: While massage stimulates blood circulation through manipulation, cupping pulls blood to the surface, enhancing the circulation further.
• Deeper Muscle Relief: Massage works on the muscles through kneading and pressure, but cupping reaches deeper tissues, providing relief to chronic pain areas.
• Synergistic Pain Relief: Combining both treatments can help in releasing muscle tension, improving range of motion, and reducing pain more effectively than either therapy alone.
• Increased Relaxation: The suction from cupping helps in releasing toxins and encouraging lymphatic drainage, which, when paired with massage, can lead to deeper relaxation.

Safety and Considerations

• Who Can Benefit: Cupping therapy is indicated for those with localized ailments such as those suffering with: headaches, lower back pain, neck pain, and knee pain. Patients who have systemic illnesses such as hypertension, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, heart disease etc. have also seen benefits.
• Precautions: Certain contraindications are considered such as avoiding the method on broken skin, irritation or open wounds. Other conditions below are also contraindicated:
  • Kidney and liver disease
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Varicose veins
  • High or low blood pressure
  • Hemophiliac

* Please Note

Due to the nature of the method, cupping therapy may leave red/brown/purple marks on the skin. Much like a circular bruise, this is due to the broken blood vessels just beneath the skin. They can typically last 4 to 10 days, but will fade eventually. This is completely normal, and should be painless. Just something to keep in mind when considering this method of treatment.

Our RMT Diana Del Rosario is experienced in combining massage therapy with cupping therapy in her practice. If you are interested in receiving cupping therapy, or believe it may help you further reach your treatment goals, book a massage with Diana. Ask her about how she can integrate this method of treatment in your next appointment!

Written by: Diana Del Rosario, RMT