What is cupping?
Cupping uses cups — usually plastic or silicone — placed on your skin with a little suction pump. Think of it a bit like a vacuum gently lifting the tissue. That lift draws fresh blood into the area and helps release the fascia that can be holding onto pain and stiffness.
How it works
The suction does a fair bit of work:
- Draws fresh blood into the area
- Helps clear out old, stagnant blood from past or ongoing injuries
- Releases fascial restrictions
- Nudges along your body’s natural healing
- Calms inflammation
What it can help with
- Tight, tense muscles
- Back and neck pain
- Recovery after a hard session
- Stubborn fascial restrictions
- Inflammation and swelling
- General muscle recovery
What to expect
I’ll pop the cups on and apply the suction — you’ll feel a gentle pulling sensation, and most people find it surprisingly relaxing. Sometimes the cups stay put, sometimes I’ll glide them across the skin with a bit of oil, depending on what you need.
Afterwards you might notice some round marks. They’re not bruises — they’re just the extra blood drawn up to the surface, and they fade over a few days. The colour actually tells me a bit about what’s going on in the tissue underneath.
