What is Cupping?
Cupping has been in practice for centuries all over Asia, yet only recently entered the international spotlight when Michael Phelps displayed visible cupping marks during the 2016 Olympics. Overnight, the practice became trendy.
The Chinese terminology for cupping is ba guan. It feels similar to deep tissue massage although it actually works in the opposite way. Instead of putting pressure on the muscle, it creates a vacuum that gently suctions the skin and superficial muscle layer. It takes pressure off the muscle, creates space for new blood flow, and promotes a healing response.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), pain and disease are caused by a disturbance in the flow of qi and blood, which results in blockages within the body. By drawing impurities to the surface, cupping invigorates blood circulation to the applied area which relieves pain & tension, decreases inflammation, and removes toxins . TCM practitioners also use cupping as a diagnostic tool to help locate the root cause of someone’s pain based on the coloring (in Chinese terminology sha). For example, red indicates healthy circulation, purple indicates moderate to severe stagnation, and a pale-lighter red indicates a deficiency. Overall, cupping helps to reduce pain and muscle tension, improve range of motion, regulate immune response, improve inflammation, and accelerate healing.
From a Western medicine POV, cupping causes vasodilation and increased perfusion, which loosens connective tissue or fascia and accelerates the elimination of waste toxins from our body. Research suggests that the increased local blood circulation created by cupping actually improves microcirculation by promoting capillary endothelial cell repair and accelerating granulation and angiogenesis in the regional tissues. In layman’s terms, cupping’s increased blood flow works to break up local obstructions and create an avenue for toxins to move out of the body. As a result, cupping is a successful detoxification therapy in the treatment of upper respiratory and immune conditions.
Sliding and stationary are the two most common cupping techniques. Stationary cupping is the placement of cups in specific areas, where they are left in place for 8–10 minutes. Sliding cupping is the movement of cups across muscle pathways with the assistance of body oil. There are two kinds of cups: plastic cups which are applied by a suction pump, and glass cups which are applied when a flame placed inside the cup consumes oxygen to create a vacuum.
Side effects associated with cupping are fairly mild. You will experience local bruising and your skin should return to normal in a few days. Arnica cream will expedite the healing process.