Cupping

Cupping involves placing small cups, traditionally glass but often silicone or plastic in home kits, against the skin and creating suction inside them, either with a pump or by squeezing a silicone cup before placing it. The suction pulls the skin and the tissue just beneath it upward into the cup, which is the opposite sensation from a massage tool pressing down, and it is often used on the back, shoulders or thighs.

Home cupping sets typically include several cup sizes and a hand pump, and are used either stationary, held in one spot for a few minutes, or gliding, moved slowly across a muscle with a bit of oil or lotion to reduce friction. People reach for it as an alternative or addition to rolling and percussion massage, particularly on areas that feel tight but are hard to dig into with pressure alone.

It is normal for cupping to leave temporary circular marks on the skin that fade over several days, and starting with lower suction and shorter hold times helps avoid marks that are darker or more uncomfortable than intended. Cupping should be avoided over broken skin, varicose veins or areas with a recent injury, and anyone on blood thinning medication should check with a doctor before trying it.