Cupping, The Chinese Method for Lymphatic Drainage
What cupping is, how fixed and gliding cupping differ, what the marks mean, and the lymphatic-focused body and facial treatments we offer at the spa.
Ancient Chinese Cupping for Lymphatic Drainage
Traditional Chinese Medicine gave us cupping, a technique many people use for relaxation and overall wellness. We get asked about it often, so here is what it is, what to expect if you try it, and what we offer at the spa instead.
As always, celebrities have been getting the treatment for a while, including Jennifer Aniston. There is a famous back photo showing the cup marks. (A kinder, gentler method exists – read on.)
What is Cupping?
Developed thousands of years ago in China and Egypt, cupping uses glass, plastic or bamboo cups on the skin to create a gentle vacuum that draws the skin and tissue up into the cup. Practitioners use it to encourage circulation and to help tight, tired areas feel looser.
If you think of most bodywork as pressing down on muscles and tissue, cupping is the opposite: the cups lift the skin, tissue and muscle upwards. Many people find this feels relaxing and helps with a sense of lightness and ease.
Cupping is also popular as a lymphatic technique, used to encourage the movement of excess fluid, which is why it often comes up alongside lymphatic drainage.
What Happens During a Cupping Session?
Cupping is most commonly done on the back. For those of you scared by Internet photos of extreme cupping, breathe. A session is supposed to be relaxing, without discomfort.
A cup is placed on your body and you may feel a tingling sensation. In the gliding method, the practitioner moves the cups across the skin to encourage circulation to the fascia. The cups may also be left in place for a short moment.
Your skin may turn red or purple where the cups were. This is common, usually lasts a few days and shouldn’t hurt. If there are any marks, wait for them to disappear before having another session.
Why People Try Cupping
People commonly try cupping for:
- Stress and tension
- Tight, achy muscles, especially in the back
- Feeling tired or run down
Research on cupping is still limited, so think of it as a relaxation and wellness practice rather than a treatment for a health condition. If you have a medical concern, talk to your doctor first.
Are There Different Types of Cupping?
Different methods are available, including fixed and gliding (or “moving”).
When the cups are fixed, one area of the body is the total focus. The cups are not moved once they are placed.
In gliding cupping, the practitioner uses an oil or cream so the cups can slide across the skin. This is the most common style in a spa setting.
Lymphatic Treatments at Bella Reina Spa
Bella Reina Spa does not offer cupping or massage, but we do offer lymphatic-focused treatments. Our Body Bliss exfoliation includes lymphatic dry brushing and warm towel compression, and the Platinum HydraFacial adds lymphatic drainage to lift and contour the face. For questions, call the spa at 561-404-7670.