Why Everyone Should Try Cupping
After years of rock climbing and yoga, my shoulders began to take a beating. Yoga poses that were once fluid and painless were now starting to cause discomfort in my body. I was struggling to pull up on a difficult rock climb and even had issues pushing into handstands. I have always been a huge proponent of bodywork and massage therapy but had never ventured into the cupping world.
the history of cupping
In recent years, cupping became mainstream by Michael Phelps, however cupping was developed thousands of years ago as a form of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Cupping involves placing plastic, glass or bamboo jars directly on the skin and suctioning out the air, by creating a vacuum. The overall purpose of cupping is to assist with circulation in the body, relieve pain in certain areas and remove toxins in the body.
how cupping works and what to expect
When the cups are placed, there are varying degrees of pressure (depending on your comfort level). In my experience, I prefer to have heavier pressure for the best results. The most common area for cupping is on the back or shoulders, however, it is becoming more widely used on the legs, hamstrings and arms. Don’t be alarmed by the red, blue or purple circles that linger on your body post cupping. This skin discoloration can last up to two weeks but could clear up in as little as a few days. After my first cupping experience, the skin discoloration and circles lasted for almost 10 days! I was told the darker the circle, the more that area was in need of increased circulation.
This cupping skin discoloration lasted roughly 7 days. You can still see small cupping marks on my arm and shoulder.
Many athletes have raved about the use of cupping and how it helped heal injuries and alleviate pain. However, one of the biggest benefits of cupping is the relief it provides for many health conditions. In addition to the removal of toxins in the body, it also stimulates blood flow and Qi (or life force) to the injury or pain point in the body. It also helps patients with illnesses, muscle pain, anxiety, allergies, aches and other pains.
why cupping has worked for me
Cupping has been extremely beneficial in my life and has provided pain relief and healing from previous injuries. I typically try to get a massage and cupping monthly and have found that my body feels equipped to get back into rock climbing and different yoga poses. My shoulders feel (almost) back to normal and pain free!
It’s important to note that the first treatment can be more intense, so plan to take it easy the first time. Additionally, cupping is not meant for those who bleed easy or have skin ulcers. Pregnant women should also talk with their doctor before pursuing cupping treatments.