Cupping is an alternative to massage, and detoxification used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. Fire is safely used to create a negative air pressure vacuum in the cups, which are then brought to the skin.
This suction is able to release muscle fascia, as well as rigid soft tissues to bring blood flow to stagnant skin, as well as withdraw toxins (opposite of massage, which presses the skin inward, the cups draw skin and tissue outward, creating space for blood, fluids, and energy flow.
When the cup is left in place on the skin for a few minutes, the skin may turn red, indicating that circulation has been brought to the surface. If stagnation does in fact exist, the skin will turn purple, like a bruise or hickey, equal to the amount of toxins within, which are being brought to the surface to be released. Massage cupping is an effective addition to many sessions, especially muscle tension, and smoking cessation. Cupping may be used in lieu of acupressure. One often feels a deep relaxing warmth during a cupping session and a tingling sensation that may continue after the treatment. Gua Sha uses a porcelain tool, brought strongly across the skin to achieve similar results.
