My First Cupping Experience

Ya neh… I like things, lol.

Last year this time I tried waxing for the first time and this year I’m back with another first, I added cupping to my full body massage. In true Kgoshigadi style, I didn’t completely know what it would do. I just knew I had a lot of tension on my shoulders mostly due to pole dancing and constantly carrying my body weight. I’m supposed to go for a massage at least once a month but I skipped a month. Don’t worry, I’m back to doing the right thing. Back to the subject at hand. What led me to this research was the stubborn marks that looked like they wouldn’t go away anytime soon.

Cupping massage is a form of alternative therapy that involves placing cups on the skin and creating a vacuum to draw the skin and underlying tissues upward into the cups. The cups can be made from various materials, including glass, silicone, or bamboo. The vacuum effect is typically achieved by using heat (fire cupping) or suction pumps (modern cupping). I experienced the silicon cup with the suction pump.

My Experience

After the top half of my body was massaged, they added cups to various parts of my back. She carried on massaging the bottom half of my body, while my upper back and lower back had cups for a few minutes. The suction felt like a pinch, and a few minutes later the pain from the pinch subsided. I felt it again when the cups were removed about 15 minutes later. The massage before the cups is helpful because it identifies the areas that needed the cupping the most. I’ve seen people cup the whole body (from head to toe), but the back was enough for me for the day.

Cupping is also believed to promote blood flow, relieve muscle tension, and stimulate the flow of energy (qi) in traditional Chinese medicine. Don’t be like me and not research the benefits before you try the technique, here are some pros and cons of cupping massage:

The Pros

1. Pain relief: My shoulders were quite tense and cupping helped to alleviate muscle pain and stiffness. After I got over the obsession of when the marks would go away, I felt less tension in my shoulders and back.
2. Improved circulation: The vacuum effect of cupping can enhance blood circulation, which may promote the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to tissues and organs. It also increases blood flow to the affected area and can facilitate the body’s natural healing process.
3. Relaxation and stress reduction: Cupping massage is often considered to be relaxing and can help reduce stress and anxiety. I was able to get uninterrupted 8 hours of sleep the night of the cupping massage and the 3 days later.
4. Detoxification: The massage lady asked me not to consume alcohol for 24 hours to support the detoxification. It is said that cupping can help remove toxins from the body, but there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim. I stayed away from my red wine for a week because I was very dehydrated after the cupping session.
5. May complement other treatments: Cupping massage is sometimes used alongside other therapies, such as acupuncture or traditional massage, to enhance their effects. In my case, the cupping massage was accompanied by a Lanna massage (a mixture of the Lanna and Thai massage).

The Cons

1. Bruising and skin discoloration: Cupping can cause temporary bruising or skin discoloration, the bruises on my back took a week to disappear. Thankfully it’s Winter.
2. Skin irritation: Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation or sensitivity after cupping, especially if they have sensitive skin or certain skin conditions like eczema.
3. Not suitable for certain conditions: Cupping is not recommended for people with certain medical conditions, such as bleeding disorders, skin infections, or varicose veins. Please research this part thoroughly and advise your practitioner before the treatment.
4. Limited scientific evidence: While cupping has been used for centuries in traditional medicine, there is still little scientific research supporting its effectiveness for various health conditions. If you need your mind to comprehend things mentally before you try it out, the testimonials might assist you here.
5. Discomfort: The sensation of cupping was uncomfortable for two days. The hot water from the shower was a daily reminder of the adventure.

Would I do this again? Yes. Maybe. I don’t know. The outcome was lovely, the shoulders and the back felt better almost instantly after the treatment. Recovering from the cupping, while on the journey to healing iron deficiency was a lot (story for another day). I’ve seen a few influencers on social media do DIY cupping, I wouldn’t recommend that at all. It’s essential to note that cupping massage should be performed by a trained and licensed practitioner to reduce the risk of adverse effects. The adverse side effects that could occur include infections, swelling, increased pain, and nausea if the cupping is not done correctly. As with any alternative therapy, it’s essential to consult with a healthcare professional before trying cupping massage, especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions or concerns.

Last but not least was he not freaked out? Nope, he loved the marks more than I thought he would. Lol, that’s all I’m saying. Bye!