Cupping: Mechanism and Benefits

Cupping creates suction and stretching, like getting attacked by an octopus. While a massage pushes into the muscles to break up muscle fibers and release muscle tension, cupping pulls the skin away from the muscles.

How Cupping Works

The suction from the cups works in several ways:

• Creates Space: It pulls the skin away from the muscles, creating space between the skin, fascia, and muscle. It also stretches and creates space for the fascia (the connective tissue).Increases 

• Circulation: It changes the flow of blood, drawing large quantities of fresh, nutrient-rich blood into the muscle and skin.

Physical Benefits

Cupping is often effective for releasing stubborn tension:

• Deep Tension Release: Have you ever had an area in your back you couldn’t quite release with stretching? Cupping can create that extra space, relieving tension throughout the back, neck, head, shoulders, and sciatic nerve.

Systemic Health Benefits

Cupping is also traditionally used to address internal imbalances:

• It’s good for cough, lung congestion, and fluid.

• It helps with preventing colds and releasing heat.

The Technique

Cupping can be done in two ways:

• Fire Cupping: Using a flame to warm glass cups, which consumes the oxygen and creates the vacuum.

• Pump Cupping: Using a manual pump to create a vacuum that draws the tissue into the cup.

Marks: The characteristic circular marks can last a few days to a few weeks, depending on the strength of the suction and how long the cups are left on the body.