Cupping’s History

…often first thought of as “fire cupping” or “Alternative Chinese Medicine”

Cupping has documented presence in various cultures dating back to 5000 b.c.e. starting in Egypt. Over the years there’s been a multitude of first-hand experiences and medical studies done on the benefits of cupping. Cupping uses negative pressure to lift tissue: deeper results with a gentler approach. Cupping has taken many forms, including sucking air out of animal horns, using plastic bottles to create suction, creating a heat differential inside a glass bowl with fire, using the cups over acupuncture to increase pore receptivity, or over needles for wet (blood) cupping, and even silicone sports cups more common in modern day practices. Unravel Massage only uses dry cupping techniques, and can not speak to the benefits of wet (blood) cupping. Plastic vacuum cups and silicone sports cups like RockPods® seem to be the most frequently used forms of cupping seen in American medical practices. Sadly, many people using these tools are not properly trained in their application, which can lead to cupping getting an inaccurate reputation for pain, strain, and discomfort.

Typically, the cups are used stationary or glided dynamically over lubricated skin which has varied benefits; increasing circulation and purging toxins being the most cited. Some of the claimed benefits of cupping is it improved respiratory abilities (helpful with allergies, asthma, common cold, pneumonia, bronchitis), reduced inflammation. dispelled stagnation of blood and lymph and Qi (energy), and can even help with blood disorders (anaemia, haemophilia), rheumatic diseases (arthritic joint and muscular conditions), fertility and gynaecological disorders, skin problems (eczema, acne), and general physical and psychological well-being.
With fire cupping there is a small risk of burns, and “cupping kisses” marking is common, but other lower-pressure options such as bell cups or silicone sports cups can reduce intensity of pressure as well as the temporary appearance of popped capillaries.

Does cupping always leave bruises?

A common misconception is that the marks left behind from the negative pressure massage after some cupping sessions are the same as a blunt force trauma bruise. The dark circles sometimes left behind are actually ecchymosis*, or ruptured capillaries under the skin. Although they may feel tender (the same way muscles may after you go for a run), they are not the same as a bruise. At Unravel Massage, we call them “Holistic Hickies”, considering the mechanism is the same. These temporary marks can actually help demonstrate and map toxicity or tension in muscles or the body systems via color and patterns of the marks. Out of the different techniques available, fire cupping is the most likely to leave a mark that slowly fades for anywhere between a few days to two weeks due to the deep toxin-pull effects.

Ecchymosis(eh•chuh•MOW•suhs)

n.  The passage of blood from ruptured blood vessels into subcutaneous tissue, marked by a purple discoloration of the skin.

Does cupping have to hurt?

Not at all! In fact the opposite should be true. Cupping uses negative pressure, which may activate muscles or body systems the same way a workout or a general full body relaxation massage would. There is no reason why it should be painful. There is also a very low risk of being burned with fire cupping.

Is cupping just a fad started by Michael Phelps?

Actually, cupping has a very long history of being used medicinally. Typically, cupping is associated with Chinese medicine, where archeologists have found tools dating back to 1000 B.C.E. Egypt has the earliest written record in the Ebers Papyrus (3000 B.C.E.), which is one of the oldest medical textbooks. It describes Egyptians in 1550 B.C.E. using cupping. Even greek physician Hippocrates (circa 400 B.C.E.) used cupping for internal disease and structural problems.
Texts, tools, and practices of cupping is found all over the world, over the ages, as well as modern day usage. Whether it is saunas in Finland, athletes in the Olympics, or right here in Kalamazoo, cupping is a revitalized practice that can be found in a variety of locations.