Cupping Therapy - How Does It Work?

Under the umbrella of our Sports Massage services is a treatment called Cupping Therapy. Of all our different massage treatments, cupping tends to look the scariest to the uninitiated, who are unfamiliar with what it is or how it functions. We get it; the suction cups can look a bit intimidating, and the bruising may seem odd, but once a patient experiences the transformative process and benefits of cupping therapy, they quickly understand why it's been around for many millennia, across different cultures, as an effective treatment for pain, stress, and detoxification.

How Does It Work?

At its core, cupping therapy is a straightforward process. Cups, typically made of bamboo, glass, ceramic, or plastic, are applied to the skin to create a vacuum of air pressure. This vacuum draws the skin and superficial muscle layer into the cup, stimulating circulation, relieving tension, and removing toxins from the body. Cupping is particularly beneficial for increasing blood flow, reducing scar tissue formation in the fascia (the protective layer of tissue around the muscle), and improving mobility in affected areas.

Cupping Therapy in the Modern Era

Cupping has become more popular in recent years, as the treatment's exposure is more far-reaching than ever. Famous athletes like Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps and NBA Phenom Luca Doncic wear their cupping treatment bruises like badges of honor during meets or matches. More high-profile figures have added cupping to their holistic health routine, so naturally, more people are curious about the treatment. While popular with athletes, professional and amateur alike, anyone can enjoy the bodily benefits of cupping therapy!

Cupping Therapy helps: 

• Provide pain relief: The cups are used for muscle and joint pain, including back, neck, and shoulder tension. Their vacuum suction increases blood flow to the affected area, promoting faster healing and speedier, drug-free pain relief. 

• Improve circulation and detoxification: Cupping therapy stimulates blood flow and enhances circulation. Improved circulation delivers oxygen and nutrients to tissues and helps detoxify them by removing metabolic waste. 

• Stress Reduction: The cups' gentle suction can help release muscle tension and promote a sense of calmness and well-being, which makes them particularly beneficial for individuals dealing with anxiety and stress. 

• Athletic Performance: Cupping therapy can help athletes maintain peak physical condition by reducing muscle soreness and promoting faster recovery from workouts or injuries. But you don’t need to be a professional athlete to appreciate the recovery/physical performance benefits of cupping!

Cupping Therapy in Houston

At Elevation Massage & Spa in Houston, we’ve seen an influx of inquiries into cupping, and we’re happy to see so many new faces interested in this ancient but highly effective treatment. 

If you’re interested in giving cupping therapy a try, it’s great to supplement it with some of our other massage services, such as TMJ massage, Deep Tissue massage, Muscle Scraping, or CBD massage. 

Book Your Session Today!