Dry Cupping: What It Is, How It Works & What to Expect.
I’m now offering dry cupping as part of your sports or remedial massage treatment. While cupping has been practised for centuries across various cultures, it’s increasingly used in clinical settings today to support recovery, reduce tension, and improve movement.
Let’s break down what cupping therapy is and how it works?
What is cupping therapy?
Cupping is a manual therapy technique that uses suction to create negative pressure over the skin. This gentle lifting effect targets fascia and soft tissues, encouraging circulation, fluid exchange, and relaxation.
There are several forms of cupping therapy, each rooted in different traditions:
Wet cupping (Hijama) is traditionally used in Islamic and Chinese medicine and involves light incisions to draw out small amounts of blood.
Fire cupping uses heat to create suction within glass cups and is also commonly used in traditional medical practices.
Dry cupping (myofascial cupping) — the type I use — involves plastic or silicone cups and a manual pump to create suction, without any incisions or heat.
While wet and fire cupping are valid therapeutic approaches, they require additional training and are not part of the treatments I currently offer.
I use dry cupping as an integrated technique within sports and remedial massage, aiming to reduce muscular tension, encourage fluid dynamics, and support mobility. It’s not a standalone service — I’ll only include it when I feel it’s clinically appropriate and relevant to your goals.
And just so you know: there’s no extra cost if cupping is used — it’s included in your treatment.
How Does It Work?
By creating a vacuum over the skin, dry cupping lifts and decompresses the underlying soft tissue. This can help to:
Improve local blood flow and lymphatic drainage
Stretch fascial layers and superficial muscles
Support the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the tissues
Reduce pain and improve tissue glide
Because cupping is a passive technique (you’re not resisting or tensing), it often reaches deeper tissue layers without the discomfort that sometimes comes with direct pressure.
There are a few ways cupping can be applied, depending on your presentation:
Static cupping: Cups are left in place to target areas of restriction.
Gliding/mobilisation cupping: Cups are moved gently across the skin to influence fascia and circulation.
Active cupping (STR-style): You may be asked to move while the cups are in place to engage tissues and encourage neuromuscular input.
As always, I’ll only use this technique when I feel it’s likely to benefit your specific complaint.
What to expect during treatment.
Cupping usually feels like a mild pulling, stretching, or pressure — not painful, but noticeable. Some people describe a warm, tingling, or achy sensation in the treated area, especially if the tissues are sensitive. If needed, the cups can be adjusted or removed at any point.
Cupping might be used briefly in one area or integrated with other techniques such as soft tissue release or deep tissue massage, depending on your needs.
What to expect after treatment.
Cupping often leaves round marks on the skin — these are not bruises in the traditional sense but a natural tissue response linked to increased circulation. They typically fade within 3–7 days.
You may also feel a bit sore or “worked on” in the area for a day or two, similar to how you might feel after a deep massage or intense workout. I’ll guide you through aftercare so you know what to expect and how to support your recovery.
Is cupping right for you?
Cupping may be helpful if you’re dealing with:
Ongoing muscular tightness
Fascial restrictions
Reduced range of motion (e.g. in the shoulders, hips, or back)
Recovery after training
That said, it’s not suitable for everyone — and that’s completely fine. I’ll always assess whether cupping is appropriate for you based on your goals, health history, and current presentation.
If you’re curious about trying cupping or have questions about how it might support your treatment, just ask. We’ll discuss your options together and tailor the session to what works best for you.
