Cupping Therapy

Plastic cups are placed on areas of tightness such as upper back, lower back or shoulders. A pump is used to create a vacuum inside plastic cups, which pulls the tight muscle into the cup and gives it a good stretch. This lengthens and releases tight muscles whilst increasing circulation to the area to further relax the muscle. Cupping feels similar to the gentle suction of a vacuum cleaner on the skin. The cups are left on the body for around 5 minutes and the area can feel warm as the blood flow to the area increases and relaxes. Cupping will leave a round pink-dark mark on the surface of the skin, which generally takes 2-5 days to clear. This is due to the increase in circulation to the area; cupping does not damage or break the skin. Cupping can be very beneficial for stubborn tightness in the upper back and shoulders and to release built up tension in the lower back and hips. It can be used to release tight ITB, a common complaint amongst sporting enthusiasts and cyclists. Your therapist can incorporate Cupping Therapy into your remedial massage treatment to free areas that may be too sensitive to massage or too stubborn to respond to touch alone.