What is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy is an ancient healing practice that has been used in traditional medicine systems for thousands of years. It involves placing specialized cups on the skin to create suction and facilitate healing.
Today, cupping continues to grow in popularity as a holistic and natural way to address a wide array of health complaints like chronic pain, inflammation, blood flow issues, and overall wellness.
How Does Cupping Work?
In cupping therapy, glass, bamboo, silicon or plastic cups are applied to the skin and suctioned using heat or mechanical pumps to gently draw the skin, tissue, and fascia upwards into the cup. This suction brings blood flow to the area to facilitate healing.
There are several major types of cupping practices used today:
- Dry/Fire Cupping: Lighted materials like alcohol or herbs are placed in the cup to remove oxygen and create a vacuum as they burn out.
- Wet Cupping: The skin is pierced slightly to extract small amounts of blood before cups are applied.
- Massage Cupping: Oil is applied to the skin and cups are moved around for a deep-tissue massage effect.
Potential Benefits
When performed properly, some research has shown cupping can provide benefits like:
- Pain relief
- Lower inflammation
- Improved blood flow
- Relaxation of tense muscles
- Corrected digestive issues
- Enhanced immunity
The Risk of Cupping Marks
One common side effect of cupping is that it can leave noticeable circular marks or bruises on the areas where the cups were applied. These distinctive cupping marks usually last anywhere from 3 to 10 days before fully fading.
What Causes Cupping Marks?
Cupping marks form from the trauma and rupture of small capillaries just under the surface of the skin during the suction process. The pooling of blood and fluids is what creates the very visible circular bruises.
Essentially, bad cupping marks from bruising happen when the vacuum created by the cups bursts blood vessels near skin level.
Location Matters
Certain areas of the body are more vulnerable to bruising from cupping. These include fleshy areas with looser skin and more surface blood vessels, like the back, abdomen, shoulders and neck. Bony locations with tighter skin rarely develop marks.
The thickness and flexibility of tissues plays a role as well. Thicker tissue that can stretch well into the cups is less likely to bruise compared to thin dense areas.
Individual Factors
Some clients simply bruise easier than others. Things like genetics, age, anatomy, skin health, circulatory issues, and certain medications can increase bruising risk.
Older individuals may be more prone to cupping marks, as skin and tissues grow thinner over time. Areas of poor circulation also show marks with minimal cupping intensity.
Preventing Bad Cupping Marks
For those concerned about having noticeable bruises from cupping, there are some ways to reduce the chances of bad cupping marks forming.
Proper Cup Size Selection
Using cups that are too large for the treatment area can over-stretch skin and lead to unnecessary marks. Cups should fit properly without causing strain.
Limit Suction Intensity
Finding the right amounts of suction for each client is key. Overdoing it with too much pressure can easily rupture more vessels and create marks.
Do Not Treat Thin or Bony Areas
Applying cups to areas without enough fleshy padding or tissue to drawn into the cup is another cause of bruising. Focus treatment only on suitable muscled locations.
Apply Oil Before Treatment
Ensuring skin has a protective layer massage oil helps allow tissues to smoothly move into cups without excessive friction tearing vessels.
Gently Move Cups
Quickly dragging stationary cups along the skin can lead burst capillaries. Light static contact or very slow gliding motions are better.
Consider Pressure Gradients
Alternating cups with higher and lower pressure prevents accumulating damage in one space that may form marks.
Examine Skin Afterwards
Checking for broken capillaries or warning signs of bruises means steps can be taken to minimize further brusing if needed.
Suggest Arnica After Treatment
The herb Arnica montana is clinically proven to help prevent bruising when applied soon after traumatic impacts to skin and vessels.
Treating Bad Cupping Marks
If bad cupping marks still develop unexpectedly, there are solutions to help minimize their appearance and duration.
Cold Therapy
Applying cold packs constricts blood vessels to limit continued bleeding under the skin into marks.
White Flower Oil
This traditional Chinese remedy contains Arnica to prevent bruise formation plus blood-circulating and analgesic oils to speed healing.
Aloe Vera Gel
The cooling and skin-conditioning properties of aloe vera gel can provide relief while marks heal.
Turmeric Pastes
Anti-inflammatory turmeric combined with liquids like lemon juice or apple cider vinegar makes pastes to support bruise recovery.
Pineapple Enzymes
Eating pineapple or applying it directly thanks containing the enzyme bromelain assists with metabolizing damaged blood under the skin.
OTC Creams
Over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams with ingredients like hydrocortisone provide anti-inflammatory relief as swelling resolves.
Massage
Gently massaging areas encourages fresh blood and lymph circulation to carry away stained fluids pooled in spaces.
Patience
While unsightly initially, cupping marks fully run their course and fade over time naturally. Avoiding direct sun exposure helps.
Professional Cupping Without Marks
In the hands of very skilled professional cupping practitioners, it is possible to facilitate excellent therapeutic benefits while minimizing or avoiding typical cupping bruises.
This is achieved through mastered control of suction intensity, leverage of limb positioning for drainage, sensitive sliding techniques instead of stationary placement, and client screening best practices.
With many holistic health devotees and athletes alike receiving regular cupping sessions for self-care, finding properly certified cupping therapists is key for both safe and effective treatment results.
FAQs
Do cupping marks go away?
Yes, cupping marks fully fade over time, usually within 3-10 days depending on their severity. Avoiding sun exposure can help marks heal faster.
Can you prevent bruising from cupping?
Proper cup size selection, limited suction intensity, massage oil application before treatment, gentle cup movements, and avoiding thin bony areas can all help prevent bad cupping bruises.
Why did my cupping bruise so badly?
Excessive suction intensity, improper location selection, underlying circulatory issues, old or damaged capillaries, blood thinning medications, and genetics can all cause easy or excessive bruising from cupping.
How can I cover up cupping marks?
Using concealer makeup, wearing scarves or clothing that covers treated areas, or limiting exposure until marks heal are the best ways to conceal cupping bruises.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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