10 Things to Keep in Mind Before You Try Cupping Therapy

Cupping is fast becoming a rising health trend. Actors and sports professionals all swear by this ancient restorative therapy, so – could it work for you as well? The practice of cupping originates from traditional Chinese medicine, where it’s used as a rejuvenating therapy for thousands of years – long before celebrities were Instagramming their cupping bruises.

Advocates for cupping therapy claim that the practice reduces stress, speeds up recovery from strenuous exercise, and reduces inflammation. The therapy involves using cups made from silicone, glass, plastic, or bamboo to draw out toxins from beneath the skin’s surface. Individuals undergoing the treatment lie face down on a massage table while the practitioner places the cups on their back and draws the air out of the cup, pulling the skin inside.

If you’ve been on the fence about trying out cupping therapy, here are eight things to keep in mind before you book your first appointment.

1.    Different Methods

There are two types of cupping therapy available; “fixed” and “moving.” In fixed cupping, the practitioner places the cups along the length of your back, typically four on each side of the body. The practitioner leaves the cups in place for a few minutes until the skin inside the cup begins to show signs of blood nearing the surface.

In moving cupping therapy, the practitioner lubricates the skin with massage oil before placing the cup on the back. They then move the instrument around the immediate area to remove the toxins from your blood and skin.

Therapists draw air into the cups by heating the surface of the cup after it’s attached to your back. Silicone cups work by squeezing the walls of the instrument together, allowing the negative pressure to suck up the skin.

There is no official medical science to show that cupping works. However, individuals suffering from allergies, back pain, muscle soreness, stress, fatigue, and anxiety may find tremendous relief from a cupping therapy session.