Megan asked me: what is cupping? Cupping is an age-old healing practice that uses suction to gently draw the skin up into cups, bringing fresh circulation to the area being treated. The suction and negative pressure can relax muscles, improve blood flow, and calm the nervous system, which also makes it helpful for managing high blood pressure.
I’ve seen cupping help with back pain, cellulite, migraines, fatigue, and rheumatism, and I’ve felt its energizing effects myself. One important caution: please don’t try it on yourself without training. Done incorrectly, most often by leaving the cups on too long, it can leave marks that linger. A proper impression should fade within two to seven days at most.
The inverse of massage
Think of cupping as the opposite of massage. Instead of pressing down into the body, it gently pulls the skin and tissue upward. I often pair it with acupuncture, and my favorite technique is moving cupping: I apply a little oil or cream, place the cups over the target area, and glide them across the region, usually the back, to help break up connective tissue.
An ancient practice
Cupping has deep roots. Ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures used it for thousands of years. The Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest medical texts in the world, documents Egyptian cupping as far back as 1550 B.C.
Consider cupping if you’re seeking relief from stress, pain, allergies, fatigue, colds or flu, back pain, anxiety, muscle aches, skin conditions, or fever. With professional care, it’s a safe and effective treatment.
Be well,
Carmen