Circular red marks on the backs of celebrities—including Olympian Michael Phelps and actors Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston—are more becoming increasingly common due to the popularity of a muscle treatment called cupping. Today we’ll explore the benefits of decompression cupping therapy.
What is Cupping?
Cupping is a form of therapy that increases blood flow to the skin using suction from the placement of glass cups on the skin. In traditional Chinese medicine, cupping is used to increase Qi (pronounced “chi”), also known as life force. Cupping can be part of a massage or acupuncture treatment, and it leaves tell-tale circular red marks or bruises on the skin, which can last a week or more.
What is Decompression Cupping Therapy at Hand & Stone?
At Hand & Stone, we use a reverse compression technique called Decompression Cupping Therapy to improve circulation and relieve muscle discomfort. Instead of glass cups, our Registered Massage Therapists use silicone cups and a gliding technique that creates negative pressure on your muscle and skin tissues to rejuvenate them. This gliding technique reduces red cupping marks on your skin after treatment.
What You Can Expect During a Decompression Cupping Therapy Treatment?
Our Decompression Cupping Therapy treatment can be part of your favourite 25-minute, 50-minute, or 80-minute massage. During the cupping treatment, your massage therapist glides the silicone cups across your skin, focusing on areas that require the most tension relief. You may feel some discomfort or tightness during the treatment. This discomfort turns into a feeling of relaxation once the cups are removed. The treatment is enhanced with aromatic organic essential oils.
The Benefits of Decompression Cupping Therapy
A research review of 135 studies concluded that more study—using robust scientific methods—is required to truly understand the benefits of cupping. In the meantime, let’s look at the benefits commonly reported by people using cupping therapy.
The benefits of Decompression Cupping Therapy include:
- Increased circulation, metabolic response, digestion, and lymphatic flow.
- Reduced muscle discomfort, tension, and stress.
- Increased feelings of relaxation and well-being.
- Decreased headaches and mental fatigue.
- Decreased likelihood of red cupping marks after treatment versus standard cupping treatment (when using silicone cups and the gliding technique utilized at Hand & Stone).
We’re here to help you look and feel your best. If you’d like to try a new way to ease muscle tension, give us a call to book a Swedish massage enhanced with Decompression Cupping Therapy.
Feel great, look great with Hand & Stone Massage & Facial Spa.
Massage. Facials. Waxing. At Hand & Stone, our Registered Massage Therapists will help relieve tension, soothe tired muscles and ease headaches. Interested in our facial services? We know radiant, healthy skin reflects how you look and feel. Hand & Stone’s facials are performed by certified estheticians and we are proud to offer Dermalogica®, YonKa and Diego Dalla Palma products so you can enjoy a bright, beautiful complexion between regular appointments.
We’ll help you look and feel your best, affordably! Call today to schedule your appointment! We’re open 7 days a week with extended hours and gift cards are available for all occasions. Contact us today!