Ever considered putting cups behind your back for relaxation or healing, rather than for drinking? The ancient cupping therapy is both trendy and old. New Yorkers seem to love it. Guess what! Gwyneth, or any other celebrity for that matter, is not the only one who wears those telltale circles of red as badges. Let’s take a closer look at this fascinating therapy, and discover why it has won hearts (and backs!) in NYC. Get started.
What is a cupping session like? Imagine a cozy, dimly-lit, room filled with aromas of essential oils. You will be asked to lay on the floor while the therapist applies cups to your skin. These cups–often glass, silicone, or even bamboo–create suction against your skin. In traditional cupping, the cups are heated before being placed on the skin. Modern techniques use a pump. The result of cupping? The area is flooded with blood, and toxins and waste products are removed.
The sensation may be a little Dracula-esque but it is actually more like a deep tissue massaging. Some say that it feels like an air vacuum gently sucking out all the stress. These circular marks can last a few hours to a whole week. Wear them with pride, they’re your battle wounds in the fight to eliminate tension and toxins.
Now let’s discuss where you can find your NYC cupping fix. Finding a good spot to cup is not a difficult task. Numerous wellness centers, spas, and salons are offering this therapy from Manhattan to Brooklyn. It’s a great way to relax. Some describe it as a mild tickle when the cups pop out of your skin.
I’ll give you a quick piece of advice. Always consult a professional. You don’t wish to have uneven marks, like on a Dalmatian, or feel worse. A trained therapist knows where to place cups, how long they should be left on and the right way to remove.
Stop talking about how to do it and let’s talk about why. There are many benefits to cupping. This is often used for pain reduction, muscle relaxation and blood circulation. Are you aching from spending all day hunching in front of your laptop? Cupping may be the answer. Pro and amateur athletes alike swear by the cupping technique for better performance and faster recovery.
And it isn’t a modern fad. Cupping goes back thousands of year, with roots from ancient Egyptian, Chinese and Middle Eastern civilizations. You’d think a practice that has such a long history must have merit. Traditional Chinese medicine practitioners use it to balance the body’s yin yang and redirect energy in areas where it has stagnated or is stalled.
Last, but certainly not least, let’s say a few words to New Yorkers that are skeptical: you don’t have to accept ancient wisdom in order to reap the rewards. You may be searching for a way to unwind from a busy week in the city. Your new best friend could be cupping. It is something that you must experience first-hand to fully appreciate. Who knew suction can create such an excitement?
If you are feeling stressed out by the Big Apple, then consider booking a cup therapy session. Your body will surely thank you. And who knows? You might even wonder why it took you so long to try this. Try it. The point of life is to try new things. Even a little cup session could be a game changer.