What to Expect During a Cupping Therapy Session

If you’re curious about cupping therapy — an ancient Chinese medicine treatment that’s been used for the past 5,500 years —  knowing what to expect can help you feel more comfortable before your first session.

During cupping, plastic or glass cups are placed on your skin to create suction to help with muscle tension, pain relief, and circulation — and it’s available here at Elemental Acupuncture in Bryant Park, New York City, and Tuckahoe, New York.

Take a moment as Dr. Bethany M. Leddy, a New York State licensed acupuncturist, highlights everything you can expect during a cupping session.

What to expect before your cupping session

Dr. Leddy starts by discussing your health history and the areas of your body you want to target. For example, she’ll want to know if you’re dealing with a sports injury, musculoskeletal condition, or infertility.

This helps ensure that your cupping session is tailored to your specific needs and can shape where the cups are placed and what other services may help you reach your goals. 

What to expect during a cupping session

During your cupping session, you’ll lie down in a comfortable position, usually on a massage table. 

The process

Once you're relaxed, Dr. Leddy applies oil or lotion to your skin to allow the cups to move smoothly. The cups are then placed on your skin, and suction is created by either heating the air inside the cup or using a pump. 

The suction (or heat) creates a vacuum and pulls the skin slightly up into the cup. This increases blood flow to the area.  The cups may stay in place for several minutes or be gently moved across your skin in a technique called running cupping. 

What it feels like

Cupping usually feels like a deep tissue massage. You might feel a tight pulling sensation, but it shouldn't be painful. After the cups are removed, you may notice circular marks on your skin, which is a normal result of the suction and typically fades within a few days. 

While the bruises don’t hurt, just keep them in mind when scheduling your cupping therapy session — in case you have upcoming events (like a wedding!) where you may not want cupping marks visible. 

What to expect after cupping

Following the session, you’ll likely feel relaxed and may experience relief in the treated areas. Dr. Leddy recommends drinking plenty of water and resting to help flush out toxins released during the treatment. If you experience any soreness, it usually subsides within a day or two.

Is cupping right for you?

You might have noticed many Olympians during the Summer 2024 games with cupping bruises, but they’re not alone. Professional athletes, including NFL players, swear by cupping. 

A review of 11 trials involving 498 athletes from various sports found that cupping therapy, applied 1 to 20 times, was reported to improve pain perception, improve range of motion, and reduce creatine kinase levels.

By reducing creatine kinase levels, you can help minimize muscle damage, promote faster recovery, and reduce pain and inflammation, all of which are important for athletes or anyone who’s undergoing physical rehabilitation.

You don’t have to be an athlete to benefit from cupping, though. You might consider cupping if:

• You experience chronic muscle tension or pain
• You’re struggling with underlying health issues, such as allergies, digestive issues, arthritis, or infertility 
• You’re recovering from sports injuries or intense physical activity
• You want to boost your overall wellness and detoxify your body

To learn more about cupping, give us a call at 646-872-1181. You can also use our online scheduling tool to book an appointment at the location of your choice.