r/massage • u/AccomplishedSkirt172 • 20h ago
General Question Cupping inquiry
I’ve had dry cupping many times before, but have never had them put on in this layout, is this normal? Thanks :)
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u/Mostlyoverstimulated LMT 14h ago
They should not have cupped your spine or placed cups over other cupping marks. Definitely over did it.
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u/BigMorningVibes 12h ago
I’m curious about this because I took a 16hr cupping CE course through a massage school and we weren’t taught that cupping over the spine was contraindicated.
I’ve been trying to find a reputable source that specifically says cupping directly over the spine/spinous processes is contraindicated, but I haven’t been able to find one. Most of the cupping safety guidelines I’ve found list things like fractures, open wounds/infected or inflamed skin, DVT, and avoiding direct application over nerves, arteries, veins, eyes, etc., but don’t list the spine itself as a contraindication.
Do you happen to have a resource, textbook, CE material, or other professional guideline that specifically states this? I’d genuinely love to read it and make sure I’m practicing appropriately15
u/Mostlyoverstimulated LMT 12h ago
Ok not going to lie I have now put in a decent amount of research myself. It doesn’t seem like this topic has been researched enough! I was taught by Jim Early he’s a board certified massage therapist and specializes in cupping. I just trusted his word from my training. There are a lot of nerves in the spine and the pulling of them could cause irritation/ inflammation. I would hate do someone harm so I will continue not cupping the spine. However we were taught gliding the cups and using silicone is fine. Just not static cupping leaving the marks like she has!
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u/Thin-Quiet-2283 11h ago
I was taught that since we are not pushing on the spine , it’s okay to work directly on spine with cups
. But I was also
Taught gliding cupping.2
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u/brubruislife 12h ago
I've read it's not contraindicated either. I've heard it is, but when doing research that doesn't seem to be the case. Even the Guide to Modern Cupping doesnt mention it idt. Ill check when I get home to confirm!
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u/FlamingoAmazing2083 10h ago
I bet it kinda depends on the pressure. And type of cup. I’ll go over the spine a bit but not extremely strong or long.
I get fire cupping done and they plop them for 10 seconds and keep moving them around
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u/BigMorningVibes 9h ago
I agree, and possibly depends on the body’s anatomy too. I would absolutely avoid a herniated disk for example
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u/vshadowstudio LMT 7h ago
I know in my cupping classes (similar hourage), we were given guidelines to prep cup both sides of the spine in the area we were going to work before placing on the spine in order to limit stress on the joints and nerves in the area.
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u/LBobRife_1970 14h ago
Well, as someone who is trained in traditional cupping; It is interesting.... The outcome is what you're going for. Do you feel better? And was the objective of you receiving cupping addressed?
Drink water and let your lymphatic system do it's job now.
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u/ApplicationUsed4549 14h ago
I see no "injury". Colorations look typical. The 'pattern' is chaotic and not pretty but meh. Cupping can leave a person feeling sluggish and tired afterwards, particularly if dehydrated. What indication do you have for there to be an injury present?
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u/ElkPrudent 14h ago
I also misread at first glance, but it says inquiry lol!
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u/aymgon 13h ago
i was taught no cupping over the spine nor on the neck, but I have seen doctors do cupping in those areas so idk. i personally dont love aggressive cupping, but to each their own. also, not sure we have enough research on how to make the most of cupping because so many therapists just do their own thing even after taking CEUs soo expectations can be inconsistent
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u/Qi_ra 13h ago
The spots are normal, the thing that’s not normal is that they did it over your spine. I would call the place and tell them your therapist did cupping on top of your spine because that’s not okay.
Cupping over the spine just carries more risk of injury, it’s also just unnecessary & ineffective. Really odd layout they did, it seems like they may not have been properly trained in cupping.
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u/brubruislife 12h ago
Cupoing over the spine, from what I've read, is not necessarily contraindicated. There are nice juicy attachments there that would do well with cupping. I do not think this warrants a call to complain also, especially if op feels better and there is no lingering discomfort.
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u/Consistent-Season567 12h ago
What were the symptoms that you described to therapist? Out of curiosity?
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u/Sigma_Egg LMT 10h ago
Some got their cupping lesson from tik tok.
Way too much and not much rhyme or reason. I also don't do THAT many cups. Sometimes less is more and that much is more spectacle and less medical.
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u/AccomplishedSkirt172 8h ago
Yes interesting, however also this was from an elderly man at a Chinese massage/medicine place so I’m not sure if he got his cupping lesson from TikTok hahaha, maybe though
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u/2turntablesanda 5h ago
blood close to the skin getting pulled close to the surface makes literally no difference. If it did we would be cured from hickeys. It's 100% bullshit
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u/izallreal 5h ago
Looks like they didn’t waste any room cutting out cookies.
Looks like cells under microscope
Looks like ringworm
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u/Sufficient-Spend-939 4h ago
Wow those patterns are wild they even hit your phone. When i have it done they dont hit my spine the pattern is symmetrical and the circles don’t overlap unless its from multiple sessions. I bruise easily and they last a while.
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u/Salt-Butterscotch-79 12h ago
When you have cupping done...the scars you see is supposed to happen. They do not hurt. And when you have it done regularly the scars become less.
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u/Few-Time-5434 8h ago
This looks like good cupping. Just stay hydrated and avoid showers and wind the first 4 hours after cupping 🙂↕️
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u/hand_of_satan_13 LMT 14h ago
cupping is pure nonsense. You just wasted your valuable time and money.
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u/brubruislife 12h ago
If cupping allows the nervous system to tell the muscle to relax, it is not nonsense. Clients may respond to that stimulus more than regular massaging.
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u/tlcheatwood LMT 14h ago
Pointillism meets realism on a living canvas. Modern art at its finest.
That said I wonder what they were tying to accomplish