The Best Cup Therapy Set

Buying Guide

Holistic therapies have become popular in recent years as an alternative to medical treatments for easing aches and pains. But these remedies are nothing new. In fact, some of them date back centuries.

One of those practices is cupping, which made its way to the West from China and the Middle East. In this therapy, a cup is placed next to the skin with the goal of pulling more blood into the skin. There are a variety of ways to do this, including:

• Suction cupping: This procedure involves using suction to pull the skin away from the body.
• Wet cupping: Prior to placing the cup, the skin is pierced, allowing blood to flow into the cup.
• Fire cupping: With this type of dry cupping, a glass cup is heated using a flame to remove the cold from the body. The heat also removes oxygen from the cup.

The science on cupping varies, but more research is needed. Studies have tried to determine how cupping works to relieve pain, and have discovered that the process dilutes the capillaries and increases blood flow closest to the skin.

However, the idea that cupping releases toxins from the body is not clearly proven. It is possible that the improved blood flow could help toxins move out of the body more quickly. One study suggests that wet cupping, which includes removal of the blood, could help the kidneys eliminate heavy metals.

In essence, cupping can serve as a deep tissue massage because it creates pressure that works your muscles and fascia. If you enjoy the therapy, any health benefits you get are an added bonus. Some believe the therapy helps reduce inflammation and relieve pain, both of which are important to your overall quality of life. But, as with any therapy, it’s important to check with your physician before getting started.

Although people typically go to a massage therapist or acupuncturist for cupping therapy, there are now sets you can use at home. These come with an extension hose that let you apply suction without help, which means you can administer your own treatment.

• Before you start any cupping session, wash and shave the area you’ll be treating. Body hair can weaken the suctioning power. However, don’t do this within four hours before you plan to have your cupping session because your skin may still be sensitive from the shaving process.
• It’s important to be well-hydrated before you start your cupping session.
• Most sets come with a variety of cup sizes. This will give you the option of setting up a treatment that fits your needs.
• Some cupping sets come with manuals, but often these simply instruct you on maintaining your cupping set. You can find videos and books that go more in-depth on cupping techniques.
• The material of the cups makes a big difference in performance. Most at-home sets use plastic cups, but it’s important to look for one made from high-quality materials to ensure you’ll get the durability you want. You’ll probably also need cups with smooth edges to keep the experience as comfortable as possible.
• If you plan to use your cup therapy set away from home, you’ll need a carrying case for it. You might not have to take your entire set with you, which can make it more portable.
• For administering therapy on your own, you’ll need to be able to control the pump, as it’s attached to hard-to-reach areas like your back. A long extension cable can make that easy.
• You’ll need to clean your cups between uses to keep them sanitary. Plastic cups shouldn’t be boiled, but a diluted peroxide solution can do the job.
• Handling the cups can be challenging if you choose a set that’s slick in design. You can find cups that are easy to grip.
• Some cups are stackable, which makes storage easy.
• Massage oil can help you get the suction you need. Many cup therapy sets come with massage oil, as well as a gua sha skin-smoothing tool that can help treat areas of the body that you aren’t including in your cupping treatment.
• Afterward, be sure to hydrate and rest. Drinking plenty of water will help flush out your lymph nodes, and this extra care will help the cupping marks fade more quickly.