Cupping massages: 15 health benefits

Cupping massages have become a trend, not only in people who feel muscle pain but also in athletes and fans of good health in general since the benefits it brings are diverse.

Now everyone wants to sign up for a cupping session, as the cupping massage is also called, but what few know is that, in reality, this type of massage is ancient and nothing new.

In ancient times it was believed that with the suction cups any type of spirit that causes diseases could be extracted. Its practice, it could be said, dates back to about three centuries before the Common Era.

For example, in Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, Mesopotamia, as well as in India, this type of massage was already applied, only that the materials varied. So the instruments used were made of clay, ceramic, or made of bamboo.

Currently, the suction cups are made of ceramic or plastic, generally, although there may be variations, since, some have decided to take a step back and return to certain old materials.

The application of cupping massages has been recorded by historians, and today it is known that many applied them at some point, including doctors, poets and philosophers. All these thinkers knew the importance of the art of rubbing parts of the body.

The cupping or cupping massage

Currently, it is more common to find certain spas or medical centers that offer cupping sessions, which is another of the names by which vacuum cup massages are known since this English word derives from the cup, which translates literally as ‘mug’.

According to what was pointed out by specialist Paola Vernaza, in her study on massage as an intervention technique in pain management, massage is widely used by physiotherapists due to the number of benefits it brings to the body, such as increasing temperature, improvement in circulation, muscle distension, among others.

For this reason, when cupping massages are practiced, what is done is to create a vacuum effect on the body. The suction cup remains attached and, when sucking, the pores open and the blood circulates more easily .

This is one of the main reasons why so many people are requesting cupping massages today.

Benefits of cupping massage

The cupping or massage with cups has a double aspect. On the one hand, its supporters consider that its application facilitates the opening of the body’s meridians, that is, pathways through which energy flows, as considered by those who practice acupuncture.

On the other hand, its strongest defenders point out that this type of massage is indicated for conditions, such as:

• Migraine relief;
• Arthritis;
• Rheumatic diseases;
• Fibromyalgia;
• Depression ;
• Infertility;
• anxiety ;
• Anemia;
• Hypertension;
• Hemophilia;
• Asthma;
• Allergy;
• Nasal congestions;
• Eczema and acne;
• Problems related to gynecology, among others.
• As It helps to decrease stress, so also minimizes the chance of Marie Antoinette syndrome.

Of course, cupping massage therapy also has detractors, who do not believe that this can be more than pseudoscience, that does not have academic or scientific support, despite the fact that each time, lovers of cupping massage are organized more and are grouped into partnerships.

The practice has been considered safe, but the fact that it has some side effects, such as itching, burning, and even skin infections cannot be underestimated.

Women who are menstruating or pregnant cannot take them either; Those who have muscle spasms or fractures are also prohibited from taking the cupping massage. Patients with metastases are equally excluded.

How are cupping massages done?

To do cupping massages, the skin must be uncovered and treated with cream or oil to hydrate it. This will also make it easier for the suction cups to slide on easily.

The most commonly used suction cups are silicone, glass, and electronic .

When they are made of silicone, they are applied to the skin, the vacuum effect is created by pressing the fingers and nothing else is required.

On the other hand, if the glass is made of glass, they place a lit candle with the flame inwards, then it is placed on the skin, since, in this case, the vacuum is created with oxygen.

Electronically administered cupping massages may be the easiest to apply, since it is enough to place it on the site to be treated, turn on the device, measure the force, and, gradually, the skin will be suctioned.

These massages have a duration that varies between 5 and 15 minutes of application. Treatment can be short or up to two weeks, depending on the case and the improvement.

Some practitioners of the technique use the suction cups adding their acupuncture knowledge, so, inside each suction cup, they insert a needle. Ultimately, it depends on the style of whoever does the application and the patient who wishes to undergo such treatment.