Massage Cupping

What is Massage Cupping?

Cupping is a therapeutic technique that uses suction created inside a cup placed on the skin. Cupping has a long history of use in Chinese medicine and other traditional healing systems and may be used on its own or incorporated into massage and bodywork.

At Journey to Wellness, Massage Cupping may involve stationary or moving cups and can be adapted according to the area being addressed, your comfort, and your goals for the session. Different types of cups and cupping techniques may be used depending on the treatment.

When incorporated into therapeutic massage, cupping provides another way of working with the muscles, fascia, and other soft tissues. Rather than applying pressure into the body, the suction created by the cup gently lifts the skin and underlying tissues. Within Chinese medicine, cupping has traditionally been used to promote circulation of qi and blood and address areas of stagnation.

Massage Cupping may be incorporated into a Therapeutic Massage session or an Acupuncture session. If you are new to cupping, your practitioner may recommend beginning with Therapeutic Massage and discussing whether cupping would be an appropriate addition to your care.

What Can I Expect with Massage Cupping?

When a cup is applied, you will usually feel a pulling or tightening sensation as suction is created. The sensation should remain within your comfort level and can be adjusted at any time.

Cups may remain stationary for a period of time or may be moved across the skin using a massage medium. Your practitioner may use one technique or a combination of techniques depending on the area being treated and your goals for the session.

Cupping can sometimes leave temporary circular marks or discoloration on the skin. The appearance and duration of these marks vary considerably from person to person and even from one area of the body to another. When they occur, they generally fade gradually over several days.

Some people experience temporary tenderness or soreness following cupping, particularly after more focused treatment. Your practitioner will discuss appropriate aftercare with you based on the treatment you received.

Should I Receive Massage Cupping?

Massage Cupping may be considered when you are experiencing areas of muscular tension, stiffness, or discomfort, or when a different approach to soft-tissue work may be helpful. Some people also simply prefer the sensation and response they experience with cupping compared with more traditional massage techniques.

Cupping is not appropriate for every person or every area of the body. Treatment may need to be avoided or modified over areas of broken, irritated, infected, or inflamed skin; areas with certain vascular concerns; or when there is an increased risk of bleeding or bruising. Certain medical conditions, medications, pregnancy, recent procedures, or other health considerations may also affect whether and how cupping is performed.

Please share relevant health information and medications with your practitioner before treatment. Your practitioner can determine whether Massage Cupping is appropriate for you and modify the technique, suction, duration, or areas treated when necessary.

What Does the Research Say?

Research on cupping has expanded, particularly for musculoskeletal pain, but the evidence remains less established than for some other complementary therapies. Studies and systematic reviews have reported promising findings for pain, including some musculoskeletal conditions, but results vary and important limitations remain.

Cupping research can be particularly difficult to interpret because studies may investigate very different forms of cupping, including dry, moving, wet, or other cupping techniques. Treatment methods, duration, areas treated, and comparison groups also vary considerably. In addition, many studies have been small or have methodological limitations that reduce confidence in their findings.

Current research therefore suggests potential benefit—particularly for some pain-related concerns—but stronger, higher-quality studies are still needed to determine which cupping approaches are most helpful, for whom, and how long any benefits may last.

Research and Evidence on Massage Cupping:

1. Piyush Mehtaa and Vividha Dhapteb. Cupping therapy: A prudent remedy for a plethora of medical ailments. J Tradit Complement Med. 2015 Jul; 5(3): 127–134.

2. Huijuan Cao, Xun Li, Jianping Liu. An Updated Review of the Efficacy of Cupping Therapy. PLoS ONE 2012; 7(2): e31793.

3. Jong-In Kim, Myeong Soo Lee, Dong-Hyo Lee, Kate Boddy, and Edzard Ernst. Cupping for Treating Pain: A Systematic Review. Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2011.

4. Myeong Soo Lee,Tae-Young Choi,Byung-Cheul Shin,Jong-In Kim &Sang-Soo Nam. Cupping for Hypertension: A Systematic Review. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypertension. 2010.; 32(7): 423-425.

5. Myeong Soo Lee, Tae-Young Choi, Byung-Cheul Shin, Chang-ho Han, Edzard Ernst. Cupping for stroke rehabilitation: A systematic review.  Journal of Neurological Sciences. July 15 2010; 294(1-2):70-73.

6. HONG Yongfeng, WU Jianxian, WANG Bin, et al. The effect of moving cupping therapy on nonspecific low back pain. Chinese Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. April 2006.