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If you can’t tell by now, I’m pretty obsessed with all things muscle recovery, cupping included. I’ve been getting cupping therapy myself every couple months for a year now. Probably not as often as I should. While the athlete recovery piece may be a debate, I have experienced first hand the benefits of cupping therapy.
Including one side benefit I never expected…
I’ve been going to the same licensed acupuncturist for a couple years. It all started when I was having back pain. I was at my wits end when chiropractic, stretching, or pain relievers were no help to manage the pain. I had resolved my pain would endure until finally acupuncture gave me the relief I was longing for.
The proof was in the pudding. By then I trusted in Traditional Chinese Medicine and in what my Licensed Acupuncturist (LAc.) had to say.
As my age became more apparent with my gym routines, things hurt more often. I realized, more than ever, the need to create counterbalance in my life to alleviate the effects of my workouts.
Enter cupping therapy.
I had heard of this healing modality, but until then, never considered I needed this form of therapy.
Prior to getting cupping for the first time, I was feeling particularly tight, immobile, achy, tense, and therefore, was more lethargic, lazy, and didn’t move as freely.
I booked an appointment to see the same person who hooked me on acupuncture. The same person who relieved me of so much pain before. Thinking, if he was able to help with a serious back injury, he can help me with what I got goin’ on now.
The Experience
To set the stage, it’s like getting a massage. You get undressed, lay on a therapy table, get under the sheet, until the therapist walks in. Before sliding some cups on my back, the therapist warms up my muscles and skin with a gentle massage with oil. This feels AMAZING.
Then… Ready, set, go.
A match is lit creating a vacuum in a cup (no plastic cups here) and the cups are placed along my spine to start.
The moment the glass hits my skin, I feel an immediate pressure. As my skin is pulled into the small glass opening via suction, I feel a tightening throughout the skin of my back. The first two cups are placed, then four more after that. Once all six are on, the first cup gets moved to a new area, and subsequent cups after that.
The therapist glides the glass cups along my back. He works from top to bottom moving the cups to new areas until my entire back is covered.
People always ask, “Does it hurt?” While I don’t think it hurts, it doesn’t feel great either. The feeling of suction is quite foreign honestly, and as the cups are moved around I felt the need to tense up. Afterward, the feeling of release, openness, and freedom to move set in. I felt light as a feather, ready to float through the day.
As far as the benefit I never expected?
Not only did cupping give me a full release throughout my body, I felt great for weeks after. Weeks!! Less tense, sore, and stressed. For that reason alone is why I keep coming back for more.
Left with so many questions, I asked my therapist, Oscar Talamantes, LAc. to weigh in on some specifics of what cupping is, how cupping therapy works, what these marks really are, and more.
How does cupping therapy work?
“Cupping is a therapy in which a glass cup is attached to the skin surface to cause local congestion through the negative pressure created by introducing heat in the form of an ignited material.”
What makes the skin dark? Is this not a bruise?
“The dark or red spots are localized petechiae or tiny blood vessels/capillaries breaking open. Bruises are hematomas that are caused by disease, trauma or injury to blood vessels that result in blood coagulation.”
Do you only cup the back?
“Depending on the patient, I will cup areas other than the back. Cupping can be done on the back, neck, shoulders, hips, glutes, legs, calves, arms and face. If the patient wants a general cupping session, I will cup the whole back to see where the disharmony is. Also, by cupping the back, you can stimulate internal organ functions. So you can actually strengthen the heart, lungs, liver, gallbladder, spleen/stomach and kidney functions. All internal disharmonies can be treated by cupping the back.”
What is your method called?
“I’ve been cupping for over 15 years. I don’t really have a name for the method I use. I usually will start with 4-8 cups on the body, then move them around, like Sliding method. But I move them little by little and I follow the color. “
Why are some marks darker than others?
“The areas that are darker usually indicate more stagnation. The more purple, the more blood stagnation. the more red, the more heat or inflammation. “
How does cupping speed up muscle repair and recovery?
“Cupping speeds up muscle repair or recovery by increasing the microperfusion, or extreme blood circulation, to the area. at the same time eliminating inflammation.”
Glass cups v. plastic?
“I prefer glass cups because I’m able to move them a lot easier. Plastic pumps are ok for small areas that don’t require much movement, like the neck or arms.”
How would cupping help athletes?
“Athletes are always looking for optimal performance. Cupping can enhance their performance by speeding muscle recover times, reducing any inflammation, enhancing blood circulation and microperfusion and increases lymphatic circulation (which helps detox and heal the body at the cellular level).”
Common reasons for cupping?
“Cupping is used for many reasons: upper respiratory infections, colds, flus, reduces swelling and pain, arthritis, reduces hypertension, fevers, headaches, muscle aches, enhanced sports performance, digestive issues, hepatic disorders, circulatory issues, and more. The most common are probably muscular, respiratory and digestive.”
Mental benefits?
“Due to the relief of pain there will always be a mental relaxation and reduced anxiety that coincides with the pain relief. Sleep is improved, which can also contribute to better energy and a relaxed nervous system. Focus and concentration may improve as well due to increased circulation to the brain and nerves.”
How often should someone working out regularly get cupping?
“Every 10-14 days.”
If you’d like to go visit Oscar Talamantes, you can find him at Hillcrest Community Acupuncture or The Fertile Turtle in San Diego, CA.
Have you had any benefits from cupping? What was your experience? Let me know in the comments below!
Disclaimer: All opinions are my own. This post is intended for educational, inspirational, or entertainment purposes only. I am not a doctor, the content on this blog is not intended to be substituted for medical advice.
