{"id":55172,"date":"2017-01-06T07:15:48","date_gmt":"2017-01-06T12:15:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=55172"},"modified":"2022-04-27T04:20:55","modified_gmt":"2022-04-27T08:20:55","slug":"cupping-therapy-cupping-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/health\/cupping-therapy-cupping-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"I Tried Cupping Therapy and Here\u2019s What Happened. Know Before You Go"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"I
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As a heath reporter, there’s typically a very short list of things you\u2019re curious to try \u2014 but don\u2019t \u2014 for fear it\u2019ll make for a super<\/em> awkward story. (Think: Biting massages, underwater acroyoga, eating live octopus \u2014 giving these ideas away for free here, people!) But then, when you finally rip the so-called Band-Aid off and try it, it\u2019s sort of the best thing ever. In my last days of 2016, cupping was that crazy-in-a-good-way thing. (Seriously, if anyone hacked into my camera roll right now they\u2019d be horrified. But more on that later.)<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s back up, though. Unless you\u2019re all-in on Chinese medicine<\/a>, your first exposure to cupping was probably while doing a double take at Olympian Michael Phelps\u2019<\/a> red-and-purple spotted back. The most decorated swimmer in the world wasn\u2019t shy about showing his love for cupping, the ancient Chinese practice-turned-sports recovery technique for elite athletes everywhere. Phelps \u2014 along with fellow Team USA swimmer Natalie Coughlin<\/a> \u2014 hailed cupping as a secret weapon of sorts: reducing muscle tension, speeding recovery and improving overall performance. Gymnast Alex Naddour proclaimed<\/a> (sans #spon hashtag), \u201cIt\u2019s been better than any money I\u2019ve spent on anything else.\u201d<\/p>\n

So like any good over-the-hill former Division III athlete with the back of an 80-year-old man (read: career literally<\/em> hanging in the balance), I figured cupping was my last shot at greatness.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Hot or Hype? 5 Crazy-Expensive Health Food Trends<\/a><\/p>\n

Cupping Therapy 101<\/h2>\n

Of course, I knew nothing as I bared all for my impending 60-minute cupping massage at The Spa on Rodeo<\/a> in Beverly Hills. (Granted, probably the bougiest of all practitioners across the continental U.S.) My technician, Jennifer Cluck, a certified massage therapist and cupping practitioner with more than a decade of experience, agreed to talk me through every step.<\/p>\n

No, it wouldn\u2019t be painful. And no, there would be no blowtorches (though a totally-safe \u201cfire cupping\u201d technique is<\/em> used by some practitioners). Here, the procedure was simple: She would place glass or silicone cups around my major muscle groups, making a suction with the skin to increase blood flow to the area. She\u2019d then leave them there for 10-or-so minutes, referred to as stagnant cupping.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s kind of like a deep-tissue massage, but in reverse.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Or, you could opt for dynamic cupping \u2014 as I did \u2014 which has the technician create the same suction, but then continuously move the cups, dragging them toward the lymphatic system, the network of organs and tissues responsible for ridding your body of waste and toxins. (Note: This is the preferred technique if you\u2019re not ready to rock giant red circles on the red carpet a la Gwyneth. Or, if you\u2019re like me, fear scaring your coworkers at your holiday party the following week.)<\/p>\n

Cluck applied the first cup, a glass orb with a balloon on top that sucked my skin away from my body like a milkshake from a straw. Nope, not painful. Just slightly uncomfortable and very, very odd. She applied a half-dozen more, sliding them around my oiled-up back like chess pieces on a board. Some areas, where I held the most tension, produced an intense, pinching sensation. But moments after sliding the cup away, a release followed. \u201cIt\u2019s kind of like a deep-tissue massage<\/a>, but in reverse,\u201d Cluck explained. She focused on my low back and glutes, before moving on to my IT band (holy hell). Was she finally righting the area of my body no amount of foam rolling<\/a> and stretching could cure?<\/p>\n

Then I got greedy. \u201cCan we try a stagnant cup?\u201d I had a terrible knot on my right shoulder blade, and Cluck mentioned this would be the best way to address myofascial trigger points<\/a> and break up lactic acid. It would leave a darker mark, she reminded me (\u201cdidn\u2019t you mention spaghetti straps?\u201d). Truth was, I had that same knot on my left side (control group!) and I was secretly inspired to conduct a highly scientific study, right then and there. Cluck found the right-side knot immediately and my skin shot up inside the glass cup. She seemed excited, and I wanted to see. I had her turn on the lights and forced my iPhone into her able hands. \u201cTake lots.\u201d She complied, and handed my phone back to me. Oh my.<\/em><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Are You Foam Rolling All Wrong?<\/a><\/p>\n

https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/p\/_FQO0WhDwE\/<\/p>\n

The Science of Cupping<\/h3>\n

What was happening during Mission: Knot Eradication was more than just tension taming, though. According to Dr. Bobby Pourziaee, foot and ankle surgeon and owner of the Spa on Rodeo, there\u2019s also detoxification<\/a> at play. But before you roll your eyes at the thought of yet another detox trend<\/a>, hear the doc out.<\/p>\n

\u201cBy manually going in and moving things around, you\u2019re able to push toxins from those cells into the lymphatic system.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The use of cups allows for the stretching and opening of muscle tissue, creating space to drain toxins from your cells, he explains. \u201cBy manually going in and moving things around, you\u2019re able to push toxins from those cells into the lymphatic system,\u201d Dr. Pourziaee explains. \u201cYour body naturally does that \u2014 your lymphatic system is your body\u2019s filter. But this is a catalyst to give that natural detoxification process a boost.\u201d<\/p>\n

Define these so-called \u201ctoxins,\u201d you say? \u201cThey\u2019re either water soluble or fat soluble, and can come from the environment around you, processed foods<\/a> you eat, or chemical additives that accumulate in your blood,\u201d Dr. Pourziaee says. \u201cUsually if they\u2019re water soluble, you will naturally urinate them out within 24 to 48 hours. But the ones that are fat soluble stay in and around your fat cells. Those are usually the ones that need an extra boost to get out.\u201d<\/p>\n

And an experienced cupping practitioner can help guide them, he says. \u201cIn your upper body, your major lymph nodes are under your armpits, so most of the time the cups are moved toward that region. In your lower extremities, your major lymph nodes are in the groin area.\u201d<\/p>\n

While Dr. Pourziaee notes that cupping hasn\u2019t been widely studied, some smaller studies<\/a> have linked cupping to a reduction in short-term pain<\/a>. Most evidence to date is anecdotal, though, and some critics point to the placebo effect<\/a> to explain patients\u2019 perceived benefits.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>What You Need to Know About Teatoxes, the New Juice Cleanses<\/a>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

So Did It Work?<\/h3>\n

Consider me all-in, placebo effect or not. Immediately after the treatment, I Slacked my editors a barrage of OK hand emojis (also code to let them know I was alive). Then I proceeded to creepily selfie my battle wounds in the spa\u2019s ladies room. (Mostly NSFW, hence the stock photos in this post.)<\/p>\n

As my therapist noted during our session, my discoloration was fairly faint \u2014 a rosy red versus the deep hued markings you might see when Googling \u201ccupping marks.\u201d (Don\u2019t do that, by the way).<\/p>\n

“I was somehow completely spent, but also still completely pain-free.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u201cYou must live a very clean lifestyle,\u201d Cluck noted, before leaving the room. High<\/em> praise<\/em> for a health editor. I rotated my arms around to assess my non-double blind tightness test. My right shoulder blade moved freely, knot-free, while the left was still hot mess status. My notoriously achy lower back also felt less symptomatic than when I walked in \u2014 possibly a function of just lying there for 60 minutes? I\u2019d have to wait and see\u2026<\/p>\n

Later that day, I guzzled several liters of water (seriously, there was not enough water in the California desert to satisfy my thirst), and I peed no fewer than 20 times. Apparently, detoxification is hard work. So hard, in fact, that my lethargy compelled me to clear my workout calendar for that day and the next. I was somehow completely spent, but also still completely pain-free. I pulled out my phone, thumbed through the should-I-send-these-to-all-my-friends<\/em> photographic evidence, and checked the spa\u2019s availability for my next cupping massage.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Can Charcoal Help You Detox?<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Cupping
Photo: Pond5<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Know-Before-You-Go: Cupping Edition<\/h3>\n

Brave enough to get cupped? Here are a few things you should know:<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong> It\u2019s not as painful as it looks.<\/strong> If you\u2019re a glutton for deep-tissue massage, foam rolling<\/a> or firm elbow from time to time, you can rest assured you\u2019ll have a pain-free experience. That said, \u201cIf you have any really stagnant tissue, you might experience more soreness \u2014 but not usually lasting more than 24 hours,\u201d Dr. Pourziaee says. To make your session as comfortable as possible, therapists recommend arriving well hydrated. \u201cIf you have ability to steam and shower right before, that\u2019s also good to warm up the tissues.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIf you show faint marks \u2014 you might be a healthier person. But it\u2019s a very general thing.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

2. Those marks don\u2019t lie (for the most part). <\/strong>Darker marks can denote one of two things: Poorer circulation to that part of the body or higher levels of toxicity being brought up to the skin, Dr. Pourziaee says. \u201cIf you show faint marks \u2014 you might be a healthier person. But it\u2019s a very general thing. I wouldn\u2019t say someone is sick just because they\u2019re showing darker marks. It could just be that certain tissues are very stagnant and have been holding toxins in.\u201d The good news: Most people will experience the benefits of cupping immediately, within their first session, he says.<\/p>\n

3. You\u2019ve got options.<\/strong> While there are two popular variations: dynamic and stagnant, some therapists are open to doing a combination of the two. \u201cFor swelling in the limbs or the face, dynamic is better. For waking up tissue and recovery, stagnant is better,\u201d Dr. Pourziaee says. There\u2019s also \u201cwet cupping,\u201d which involves creating small, superficial incisions with a scalpel to draw out a small amount of blood \u2014 but that technique is less commonly offered in the U.S.<\/p>\n

4. Marks will last a day\u2026or much longer.<\/strong> Concerned how long those cupping marks will last? Dynamic cupping will produce fainter marks, typically lingering no more than a day or two, whereas stagnant marks might last anywhere from three days to a couple weeks, Dr. Pourziaee says. (Mine lasted two days and four days, respectively.) As with all things you really<\/em> want the answer to, there\u2019s no way to know how your body will respond until you try it.<\/p>\n

5. Build in some workout buffer room. <\/strong>Even if you\u2019re no \u201cFlying Fish\u201d Phelps, you\u2019ll want to time your cupping massage well. \u201cIf you\u2019re making this part of a training regimen, you definitely want your treatment within 24 hours of a really hard workout. And you\u2019ll want to give yourself 24 hours recovery from the treatment before performing again,\u201d Dr. Pourziaee says. As for how often to go? Your average person looking for detox and relaxation might want to go monthly, Dr. Pourziaee recommends. \u201cIf this is someone who\u2019s actively training, it will be more frequent than that.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Is Your Mobility Holding You Back? 5 Tests to Find Out<\/a><\/p>\n

6. It\u2019s not just body art. <\/strong>The face is also fair game, if you so choose. Some places, including the Spa on Rodeo, offer facial cupping rejuvenation to \u201cplump up fine lines and smooth wrinkles.\u201d The cups are much smaller but the concept is the same: lifting facial tissue to increase circulation. Facial cupping is also offered to patients suffering from TMJ, sinus infection and inflammation. And then there\u2019s cellulite cupping and belly cupping (for IBS and digestion issues), though again, clinical studies are lacking in these area of treatment.<\/p>\n

7. East and West will vary. <\/strong>In traditional eastern medicine, cupping is treated as part of a larger holistic practice \u2014 one that typically includes nutrition, herbal supplementation and other areas of a person\u2019s health and wellness. Offering cupping as a standalone treatment is a decidedly western thing. If you\u2019re unsure which scenario you\u2019re stepping into, simply call ahead to get the lay of the land. You can also ask about pricing, as it will vary considerably from place to place.<\/p>\n

8. Not everyone\u2019s a candidate. <\/strong>While cupping is generally considered safe for most healthy adults, it\u2019s always best to check with your doctor before you go. \u201cIf you have certain blood disorders it\u2019s not a good idea to do,\u201d Dr. Pourziaee warns. \u201cCancer patients, as a general rule, should also avoid it, as you never want to stimulate cancer cells to move from one area to another.\u201d<\/p>\n

Lastly, remember that practitioners should be vetted, too. While there isn\u2019t a centralized listing for therapists with cupping certifications, \u201ccertifications are offered at independent massage therapy, eastern medicine and cupping schools \u2014 and those schools keep lists of people who they have certified,\u201d Dr. Pourziaee says. When in doubt, ask the spa if their cupping therapist is certified. \u201cA non-certified therapist can potentially cause harm,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n

Not a Daily Burn member? Sign up at\u00a0dailyburn.com<\/a>\u00a0and start your free 30-day trial today.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It\u2019s the secret to Michael Phelps recovery and Gwyneth\u2019s detox routine. But does cupping therapy really work, and how long do those marks last? One writer goes in deep.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":55180,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[7,11],"tags":[209,321,50,144,66,206,74,82,88,282,145,341,349],"class_list":["post-55172","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health","category-health-hacks","tag-athlete","tag-back-pain","tag-foam-rolling","tag-injury","tag-massage","tag-mobility","tag-pain","tag-recovery","tag-soreness","tag-stress","tag-stretching","tag-tax1living-well","tag-tax2sports-medicine"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=55172"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/55172\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/55180"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=55172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=55172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=55172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}