When most people hear the word “cupping”, they may think of Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps when he revealed his fixation towards this technique by showing the world his large, purple, and painless welts on his back. Regardless if we’ve jogged your memory about Phelps and his cupping marks, or have piqued your interest in the this moment, we’re delighted to provide you with more information about cupping in this post.

History

Despite the recent uptick of cupping in complimentary therapies, the practice of cupping therapy has been around for thousands of years. With its origin in Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures, there is evidence of early cups made from hallowed out gourds, horn, shells, bone, and glass, with plastic, and silicone* cups becoming the preferred type used by many therapists today. No matter the material, the principle is simple: when a concave instrument (a cup) is applied to the skin and pressure (or heat**) is added, a seal to create a vacuum occurs. When the pocket of air inside the cup is replaced by the skin being pulled upward into its cavity, the created suction can remain “parked” (not moved) or glided (moved) over the skin.

*At Theralleve, we work with silicone cups which are pliable to the skin and a lubricant like an oil or lotion allows glide. We use cupping within both our therapeutic and relaxation massage treatments.

**Fire cupping, which uses heat generated by a flash of flame to create the vacuum seal, is not common practice in Alberta, and is not practiced by any therapist at Theralleve.

Classifications

According to Seminars for Health (a reputable educating body where our therapists received their Dynamic Cupping training) there are five classifications of cupping. These can be described as follows:

1. Wet cupping – the therapist will lightly scrape the skin so that blood can expel from the scoring and then apply the pressured cup on top. This is used in a lot of eastern culture cupping applications and requires a very specific license to practice in Canada.
2. Dry cupping – cups are applied directly to the skin without lubricant and remain stationary with the trained therapist using needles or not. Dry cupping can also include cups attached with tubes where the air is pumped out of the cup and can therefore, create a stronger suction.
3. Flash cupping – designed like it reads: quick application and release of suction – often used for stimulating the area.
4. Gliding/Massage cupping – this is where Dynamic Cupping, our current clinic-use category, is categorized. The technique is largely movement-based with the therapist applying both passive and active range of motion to areas of the body whilst gliding the cups. This is one of the safest methods of cupping*.

Benefits and Effects

One of the largest promoted benefits of cupping therapy is the outcome of an increase in blood flow to the affected area(s). When muscles and joints lack oxygenated blood, they tend to move less and/or perform their movements ineffectively. Adhesions can form and this is when connective fibers (also known as fascia) “stick” together and form “bumps” or “knots” in and around muscle and joints and this can lead to pain and restriction.

Unlike traditional massage, which generally applies a downward pressure onto the fascia, cupping lifts fascia upward which helps lengthen the tissue (“untangles” adhesions). Cupping works similarly with breaking down scar tissue because it breaks down the layers of haphazard collagen on the injury site and brings back health stretch.

 Other, anecdotally cited benefits, are increases in energy, decreases in blood pressure, and an increased immune response.

 However, cupping can also produce other results that are less desirable (though uncommon) and must also be discussed prior to treatment. Some of these effects include decreased energy, an increased sensation of dizziness, pain/discomfort during treatment, headaches, and local tenderness.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, like all things that are health-related, consideration of a client’s health history (past and present conditions, medications, injuries, experience with cupping, etc.) should absolutely be reviewed prior to a cupping treatment. As you have come to expect at Theralleve, we will ask you a lot of questions to make sure that cupping therapy makes sense for your needs and goals.

Cupping is not for everyone, nor is it suitable for every issue or concern. As such, if your therapist decides that it is not for you, don’t fret, as we will be sure to find the best solution to your physical health needs. Your health matters.