What Is Cupping Massage Therapy?
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Cupping therapy is among one of the oldest massage therapy modalities. It can be dated back to 1500 B.C. and has been dated back to ancient Egypt and ancient China. It’s only more recently that cupping has been made popular, with credit due to Team USA Olympian Gold Medalist Michael Phelps. Mr. Phelps is known for his gold medal win with cupping marks all over his body. Ever since his victorious debut cupping has become an interest to athletes looking to enhance performance or prevent injury.
Cupping Massage Therapy is a modality that utilizes suction to pull the tissues in a vacuum-induced stretch. While it may look like it is stretching skin, what it is actually doing is stretching fascial tissue in that surrounding area. Since fascial tissue is all intertwined throughout the muscular-skeletal system without origin or insertion point like a muscle. This means that no matter where you cup in the body, it has an effect on everywhere. But of course, where you cup has the strongest stretch on the fascial tissue, regardless of the body’s kinetic chain structure.
The goal of cupping should be to release the fascial tissue in a particular method that allows the body to realign itself naturally. We recommend getting a sports massage to complement the cupping massage therapy to ensure longer-lasting results, both for the muscle and fascial tissue. We have found cupping massage therapy to be better than hands-on myofascial release.
You explain that cupping involves placing suction cups on the skin to stimulate blood flow and relieve muscle tension. It’s a method that has been used for centuries, not just a trendy wellness fad.
Myth #1: “Cupping Removes Toxins”
It’s true cupping massage therapy can help improve your circulation, but remove toxins, certainly not. To help prove this, let’s look into the practice that draws that exact toxic blood to the surface. In the Middle East and Asia, Hijama is a common practice. Hijama also known as bloodletting or wet cupping, is cupping after punctures are made by a needle, drawing out blood. It is thought to be that the blood that comes out is toxic. These cultures believe that this practice helps to detoxify the body, reduce inflammation, and improve autoimmune function, and pain.
Science says otherwise, studies in sports medicine have not proved that “toxins” are released from muscle or fascial tissue when tissue is stretched. Instead, research shows that techniques like stretching, massage, or myofascial release tend to improve blood circulation and lymphatic drainage, which then helps clear metabolic byproducts (like lactate) and other cellular waste. There’s no convincing evidence that “harmful toxins” are released into the body during cupping massage therapy. So next time when a massage therapist tells you to drink up water because of toxins being released into the blood, tell them the better reason for the water is to hydrate the recently manipulated tissue!
Myth #2: “Cupping Is Dangerous”
Addressing safety concerns, note that when performed by a trained professional, cupping is generally safe. Bruising seems to be the biggest concern for many, for some of our clients, seem to be potentially embarrassed by the mark made from the cupping. Some people worry about the bruising itself. Any marks or bruising that appear are temporary and not harmful. Any byproducts of bruising are sorted out by our immune system and are then metabolized out of our body entirely.
The only dangerous forms of cupping are Fire Cupping, types of cups used, and receiving cupping services by an untrained professional.
Fire cupping should be avoided, as it can physically burn an individual. but as a body mechanic enhancement tool, it lacks the ability to control the pressure that is best for the fascial tissue to stretch. This is why at Breathe Massage & Fitness our massage therapists only use spring vacuum cupping sets to ensure that we can feel the appropriate amount of pressure for your body’s custom preferences.
In regards to materials/types of cups to be used, plastic is highly recommended by us. It’s the most durable, with no chance of glass breaking and cutting you, and the most inexpensive. Here’s the exact brand of cupping sets that fits that description and the brand that Breathe Massage & Fitness use’s with our clients. Here’s the link to buy on Amazon. What we love most about these cupping sets is the hose that comes with it so if you need to cup yourself on those hard to reach area’s.
Please only receive cupping from a trained professional who has experience cupping. If cups get left on too tight for too long it can potentially cause severe bruising or even potentially bleeding. Some contraindications for cupping are:
- Pregnancy
- Open wounds or ulcers
- Fractures
- Bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia)
- Skin infections
- Varicose veins
- Arterial insufficiency
- Venous thrombosis
- Pacemakers or other implanted medical devices
- Severe anemia
Other considerations:
- Avoid cupping over areas with lymph nodes.
- Do not cup on the same spot repeatedly within a short period.
- Be cautious in patients with a history of bruising or easy bleeding.
- Inform your practitioner if you have any allergies or sensitivities.
Myth #3: “It’s Only for Celebrities or Extreme Athletes”
Cupping Massage Therapy is not just for those who live life to the fullest. Everyone can benefit from cupping therapy, even those with a sedentary lifestyle can benefit greatly. Since there’s no way to target fascial stretching in particular areas, that means everyone needs cupping. Especially those with poor posture if they have the desire to correct their poor posture. Releasing the fascial tissue also can help with muscular imbalances since the fascial tissue is intertwined between muscle fibers. This is why cupping is an excellent complementary therapy to things like physical therapy and massage therapy. However, cupping should be part of a broader treatment plan rather than a singular standalone cure.
Final Thoughts
Cupping is far from pseudo-science, it has proven to hold true to the test of time itself. Cupping is here to stay and we highly recommend finding a professional who practices cupping therapy. If you don’t know any practitioners, come on down to Breathe Massage & Fitness for some cupping therapy and a sports massage. You’ll not just feel better, but you’ll reap the immediate benefits of improves range of motion, and you’ll get the longterm benefits of improved circulation. If you still have questions about cupping or want to know if it can help you give us at a call at 720-689-6900 or email us at info@breathemassagefitness.com
If you’d like even more detail on the debunking of cupping massage therapy check out our youtube video of Breathe Massage & Fitness’s head massage therapist discussing his thoughts on this topic. This article was also written by the same massage therapist.
