Is Cupping your cup of tea?
How does it work?
The technique uses a plastic cup and a small suction gun to create a gentle vacuum inside the cup. Lotion is applied to the area being treated and then a small vacuum is created. The cup can be left in one position “static” or moved slowly and consistently up, down and across the area “sliding” or “flashing”. We can perform movements with the cups in place and use a combination of the different techniques.
What about the cupping marks?
One of the first sightings of the circular red marks caused by cupping therapy was at the 2016 Rio Olympics on the swimmer Michael Phelps, more recently the shoulder of tennis player Ben Shelton and over the years on numerous celebrities as it can be a relaxing experience and used to produce a general sense of well-being. The marks can vary from person to person and can depend on the reason for treatment. Some of the techniques reduce the intensity or likelihood of any marks. The marks themselves can last between 3-10 days.
It’s not everyone’s cuppa.
Cupping is a safe technique and the upward lift of tissue means it can be used over areas that traditional massage techniques would not be suitable e.g., over the ribcage and along the spine. There are some exceptions; if you are taking anti-coagulant (blood thinning) medications. Areas with varicose veins, enlarged blood vessels or thromboses. We would not look to cup over cuts, brittle or inflamed skin and sometimes skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis may be irritated.
Cupping can form part of your sports massage alongside the more traditional techniques or it can be used as a treatment on its own depending on you and your treatment goals.
