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More massage therapists than ever are embracing additional complementary approaches for healing. Likely a result of the increasing popularity of massage therapy and, thus, the greater demand for highly trained practitioners, cupping has sparked interest in many massage therapy practices. While there isn’t an abundance of scientific evidence proving cupping’s effectiveness, its ability to promote circulation is well-known to practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Bodyworkers wanting to learn more about the tradition of cupping can experiment with the massage cupping techniques described below.

For a basic understanding of what cupping is, its general variations and the theories supporting its use, read TCM Cupping and Massage: Part I.

Cupping Massage Techniques

Being familiar with several massage cupping techniques can help a bodyworker confidently include cupping in his/her range of services. Below are ten suggestions for effective massage cupping:

  1. The level of suction for running cupping should be gentler than that used for stationary cupping.
  2. Prior to applying cups for running cupping, administer plenty of oil to the area being cupped to facilitate smooth cup movement.
  3. When moving the cups, the movement should be smooth without the practitioner applying downward pressure, because that would inhibit the suction effect.
  4. The broad area of the back is one of the best surfaces for running cupping. The back can generally accommodate the larger cups.
  5. Imitating a long stroke with the cups can help drain fluid accumulation.
  6. Circular movements with a cup over a specific area can help release stubborn knots, adhesions and other types of rigid tissue.
  7. Applying a diluted essential oil to the skin immediately following running cupping will facilitate its absorption into the tissue.
  8. Long strokes along the ribs can improve ribcage expansion and benefit deep breathing.
  9. Vigorous circling with the cups on the gluteus maximus can help ease certain types of sciatica.
  10. Strong stationary cupping on the Lung Back Shu points can help relieve chest congestion, coughing and asthma.

Evidence

Although the clinical support endorsing massage cupping is sparse, centuries of successful case studies have perpetuated its use. Since cupping falls under the umbrella of Traditional Chinese Medicine, most of the research on this modality has been conducted within a TCM setting.

The variation known as wet-cupping has dominated a majority of cupping’s research, and wet-cupping does not fall under a massage therapist’s scope of practice. Wet-cupping is when the skin is pricked with a lancet, then covered with a cup to draw out the stagnant blood. Bypassing the research on wet-cupping, a couple of clinical trials evaluated massage or stationary cupping in isolation:

  1. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome – Chinese researchers observed the therapeutic effect of multiple, stationary cupping at the back-shu points on participants with chronic fatigue syndrome. By comparing their clinical symptoms before and after treatment with either cupping or acupuncture, the researchers found that cupping’s ability to reduce chronic fatigue symptoms far surpassed acupuncture’s effectiveness.
  2. Senile Dementia – Researchers evaluated the effect of running cupping (massage cupping) on participants with senile dementia. Running cupping was performed over the spine (the Governing Vessel channel) and along the sides of the spine (the Urinary Bladder channel). The investigators determined that running cupping improved dementia’s symptoms as evidenced by increased measures of bodily strength, memories, feelings and movement.

While these two studies represent just a small percentage of a bodyworker’s clientele, the empirical evidence supporting massage cupping has preserved its practice for centuries.

Using cups to massage the body can be incorporated into most bodywork sessions. By learning about this modality and practicing different running cupping techniques, practitioners can add another layer of therapeutic effectiveness to their treatments.

For information about cupping’s cautions and contraindications, look for the upcoming article, TCM Cupping and Massage: Part III.

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