Cupping: What To Expect And Aftercare
Cupping is one of my favorite treatments outside of acupuncture —to give and to receive! Maybe this is why it’s so popular among my regular patients. Unfortunately, it has been hugely popularized and commodified in recent years, causing it to be appropriated, misinterpreted and stolen by people who have limited to no knowledge of its uses. When traditional practices become a fad in the US, it is almost always harmful to the culture. For those practicing or receiving cupping, I encourage you to take time to reflect more on this.
Here are some things you should know ahead of time if you want to have cupping:
• No cupping on areas of broken skin, rash or burn.
• No cupping for those with severe anemias, autoimmune conditions, bleeding disorders or recent history of chemotherapy or cancer.
Cupping Aftercare:
(Very similar to acupuncture aftercare)
• Plan to take it easy afterwards. Stay on top of hydration and avoid caffeine.
• No working out or alcohol for 12-24 hours.
• No shower, bathing or swimming for 12-24 hrs.
• Keep your cupping marks or bruises covered and protected from cold, getting wet and wind for the next 12-24 hrs.
• If you experience soreness, please refrain from the above activities for longer and hydrate more.
• Working out beforehand is ok!
What is Cupping?
Cupping is a treatment modality that can be found in many cultures. It is most notably traced back to Ancient Chinese and Egyptian medical practices. Traditionally cups were made from glass, horns, stone, metal or bamboo. Today, you will find cupping sets made from plastic, silicone, rubber and ceramic, though glass is still most commonly used. Cups are applied with suction of the skin and muscles. The suction, or negative pressure causes damage to the small, superficial vessels at the surface which creates the bruise or marks left behind. This causes an immune response —a flush of blood circulation, which often results in relief because many injuries or illnesses stem from poor or impeded circulation. Cupping was traditionally used in Chinese Medicine for respiratory conditions like cough, chest congestion, allergies, asthma, bronchitis as well as fever, heat stroke or other conditions where toxins accumulate in the body. Most recently cupping has become popular in the US for sports injuries.
Treatments like cupping, acupuncture, massage and even reiki or medical qi gong, move qi and blood which creates a natural detoxification process. This is why refraining from alcohol or other substances is important. Cupping can open up the muscle layer, break up tight fascia and free stagnation in the channels, which is why it feels so good afterwards, but this also means these areas are more open and susceptible to external pathogens like cold, rain and dampness. It is important to keep these areas protected as they take time to heal. So, although it may seem cool to walk around in a tank top showing off your cupping marks at brunch, please keep them covered up! It might actually be a little too cool!
What Does Cupping Feel Like?
If you have not experienced cupping before, it probably does not feel like anything you’ve ever felt before! I most commonly use glass cups in my clinic. The glass can feel cold/hard against the skin at first. I use a flame to create suction but most people do not feel the flame at all. I do supplement with flexible silicone cups for smaller areas or places that are too close to hair to avoid any fire hazards. Once it is attached it can feel like your skin is being pulled or grabbed. The cups can feel like they continue to tighten for a few quick seconds. Then they start to feel sort of heavy, like a deep pressure or tight hugging. Most people like how this feels but if it feels too uncomfortable or painful, you can always voice that to me! The cups stay on anywhere between 5-15 minutes depending on the color changes of the skin. If your skin appears to darken/redden more easily the cups will come off sooner. When the cups come off, there is this satisfying ‘POP’ sound, coupled with a release of the muscles. It is important to take your time to get up slowly after cupping as it does create a major shift in blood and qi circulation, and you can get a little light headed if you get up too quickly.
Different Cupping Techniques:
Sliding, moving or sometimes its called walking cups is when the cup is used as a negative pressure massage. Oil is applied to the body to move or slide the cups. This can help to move phlegm, congestion in the lungs and also break up muscle knots or fascia.
Flash cupping is a great modality for children because it does not tend to leave any marks. This is when the cup is applied and then quickly removed. This is repeated a few times on each area. I use this often for children with chest congestion, adults who’s bodies might be feeling too sensitive for other types of cupping or those who want the effects of cupping but want to avoid bruises on their body.
Percussion cupping can help when there is a lot of stagnate fluid or chest congestion. It can also a great technique for more deficient constitutions that standard cupping might be too draining for.
Herbal cupping is a topical herbal application that is applied to certain areas of the body or acupuncture points and channels. This is great for different types of cold and wind invasions.
There are so many cupping techniques!
How Long Do Cupping Marks Remain?
The average cupping mark remains anywhere from 3-7 days. Please keep in mind that every body is different. Those who bruise more easily might retain cupping marks for longer. Those with more stagnation or pain in the body might also retain cupping marks for longer. Every once in a while I have a patient who retains a light cupping mark for 3-4 weeks! This usually happens when someone has severe stagnation or pain in an area. Sometimes there are no marks at all. The results will always vary depending on the situation and the person.
I know there will be many more questions about cupping so please stay tuned for a follow up post on more cupping FAQ’s.
By Dr. Emily Grace Siy, DACM on November 19, 2021
Photos by Chanel Govreau