Cupping Therapy

Cupping therapy is an alternative therapy that has been used for hundreds of years, and has been traced back to ancient Egyptian and Chinese cultures. It involves placing cups on the skin to create suction; the negative pressure environment caused by the suction may cause a myofascial decompression to lift muscle fibers and increase blood flow to the affected areas.

What are the Benefits of Cupping Therapy in Denver?

There are two different kinds of cupping therapy: wet and dry. Dry cupping therapy uses a pumping method to draw the skin tissue up into the cup; with this method, the massage therapist may choose to slide the cups across the skin or keep them in place based on the client’s needs. Dry cupping can also be incorporated into any Sports Recovery session.

Cupping therapy has been shown to provide the following benefits:

Reduces inflammation

Cupping therapy helps reduce inflammation in the body. When the cups are placed on the skin, the suction created draws out any fluids from the body, including toxins, cellular debris, and stagnant blood. This improves circulation and promotes healing.

Improves circulation

Cupping therapy improves blood and lymphatic circulation in the body. When the cups are placed on the skin, they create a vacuum. This vacuum pulls the blood and cellular waste from the affected area, which allows fresh, oxygenated blood to circulate through the tissues. Improved circulation helps with pain relief, muscle recovery, and overall bodily health.

Reduces muscle tension and speeds up recovery

Athletes in particular are drawn to cupping therapy due to the benefits it provides for muscle tension and recovery. Cupping has helped many athletes experience a sense of bodily relief since it alleviates muscular knots and tension.

Olympian swimmer, Michael Phelps, utilized cupping during the 2016 Rio Olympics as a recovery tool for muscle soreness.

Cupping Therapy in Denver FAQs

If I receive cupping, will I get bright red circles or marks on my skin?

Not necessarily. Our LMTs are trained to customize the cupping for each individual. If you want deeper suction for a more aggressive decompression therapy, you will potentially receive red marks. However, many of our clients get “gliding” sessions whereby the cups are slowly run across the skin, pulling muscle tissues away for a gentler session without the static suction. Communication with your therapist about the level of suction you would like, before the session, is essential.

Is cupping a massage modality or is it added to a regular massage session?

Typically, our clients will add cupping to their therapeutic, sports, deep tissue or trigger point massage session. Cupping can be added to any modality except for prenatal massage. The therapist will apply the cups, allow them to suction on their own while they work on a different muscle group and then come back to the cups to perform additional techniques. As a decompression tool, cupping is highly effective. It can also be used with a sports recovery session at no additional cost.