What’s all this talk about cupping?

Cupping is an ancient therapy, used thousands of years ago, originally by the Egyptians to treat pain and disease. It was also used by ancient Chinese and Greeks. In these times, cups were made of bamboo or horns.

Today, cups are used which are made of glass, plastic or silicone.  There are cups made of different shapes, colors and sizes for a variety of uses.  When suction is applied to the skin, it creates a negative pressure and creates an increase in blood and qi, also known as vital energy, to an area of injury or containing disease.  It draws toxins and disease out from within the body’s deep tissues. This suction, draws stagnant blood and toxins to the surface where they can be eliminated through the body’s circulatory system.  There are a variety of cupping methods: wet, dry, stationery cupping, flash or dynamic cupping and massage cupping, all depending upon the therapeutic condition being treated.

Cupping is a non-evasive & very safe treatment used by physical therapists, acupuncturists and massage therapists to treat conditions such as asthma, diabetes, neuralgia, high blood pressure, fever, pneumonia, anxiety, fatigue, headaches, orthopedic & sports injuries, stomach diseases, fibromyalgia, plantar fasciitis and sciatic pain. It is also used for cellulite treatment, sinus and TMJ treatment, and infertility.  Even facial rejuvenation treatments may be offered, to renew and restore collagen, and to reduce fine lines and wrinkles.

The effects of cupping are deeply relaxing and detoxing, as the therapist ends the treatments by draining lymphatic fluid, to increase the body’s natural healing. It’s important to drink plenty of water after cupping therapy, just like any other massage, to fully flush toxins from the body.

It is highly advisable to only receive cupping therapy by a certified cupping therapist* who has been trained in proper cupping methods.  The certified therapist is also trained in contraindications (conditions in which cupping should not be received) as well as advisory precautions for before and after treatment.

Call Strongsville Massage with any questions or to book your cupping therapy session (you can also book online or through our app).

*The International Cupping Therapy Association (ICTA) provides cupping certification to licensed professionals to ensure the public’s safety.