top of page
Search

How to Use a Cupping Set at Home (Safely)

Writer: Travis Montique
Travis Montique
4 days ago
2 min read

Cupping is one of the treatments patients ask about most at Ocean Ki Wellness, and home cupping sets are now easy to find. Used gently, a home set can help between visits with tight shoulders, a stiff upper back and sore legs. Here is what we tell patients before they try it.

How cupping works

Cups use suction to lift the skin and muscle instead of pressing down on them. Many people feel this loosens tight areas and improves circulation. Research on cupping is still growing, but several studies have found it can reduce neck and low back pain in the short term.

Silicone cups vs. pump cups

  • Silicone cups are soft, easy to squeeze and great for gliding over lotion or oil. This is the best choice for beginners and for using on yourself.

  • Pump cup sets use a hand pump to create stronger suction. They are better left to a partner who has been shown how to use them, and they are more likely to leave marks.

See the set Dr. Jen suggests on our At-Home Picks page, or see Dr. Jen's pick on Amazon.

How to use a cupping set at home

  • Apply a little massage oil or lotion to the area.

  • Squeeze a silicone cup, place it on the muscle, then release so it gently grips the skin.

  • Glide it slowly along the muscle for 3 to 5 minutes, or leave it in one place for no more than 5 minutes.

  • Start with light suction. It should feel like a deep stretch, not pain.

  • Remove a cup by pressing the skin at the edge to break the seal. Never pull it straight off.

About the marks

Cupping often leaves round marks that look like bruises. They are usually painless and fade over a few days to a week. Lighter suction and gliding make marks less likely.

Who should not use cupping

  • People taking blood thinners or with a bleeding or clotting disorder

  • Over broken skin, rashes, varicose veins or recent injuries

  • Over the belly or low back during pregnancy

  • Over the front of the neck or any bony area

If you are not sure where to start, ask us to show you at your next visit. Pair home cupping with Dr. Jen's Joint Comfort supplement plan if you deal with ongoing stiffness.

Book a visit at Ocean Ki Wellness in Middletown or Warwick, Rhode Island.

As an Amazon Associate, Ocean Ki Wellness earns from qualifying purchases. This article is for education and is not a substitute for advice from your own health care provider.

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page