They’re not bruises — they’re your body’s healing in motion.
She sat down with her sleeve slightly rolled up.
“I had cupping last week at a place near work,” she said, a bit shyly.
“People kept asking if I got attacked by an octopus.”
Then she added:
“Honestly though… I haven’t felt this loose in my shoulders in months.”
Welcome to the most misunderstood treatment in modern wellness — cupping therapy.
To some, the marks look strange.
To others, they look like evidence that something real happened.
And to the body?
They’re a message:
Circulation has returned. Tension is moving. Healing is happening.
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What is cupping, really?
Cupping therapy is an ancient healing practice where special cups are placed on the skin to create suction. This draws blood, lymph, and oxygen into areas that are stuck, stagnant, or tense.
I use silicone or glass cups depending on the area and your needs — often as part of a personalised massage or deep tissue treatment.
But unlike regular massage, which compresses the muscle, cupping lifts the tissue — gently separating the layers of skin, fascia, and muscle to create space, movement, and release.
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What do the marks actually mean?
The round marks that appear after cupping aren’t bruises — they’re not caused by trauma or broken blood vessels.
They’re petechial patterns formed by:
•Old stagnation rising to the surface
•Waste products being drawn out
•Localised detox and improved microcirculation
•The body’s natural immune and inflammatory response
The colour tells a story:
•Light pink – healthy circulation, minimal stagnation
•Dark red or purple – deeper congestion, possibly chronic tension
•Yellow/greenish fade – normal fading of old congestion
And the best part?
They usually fade within 3–7 days, and each time you get cupped, the marks become lighter and shorter-lasting — proof that your body is clearing out what doesn’t belong.
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How does cupping feel?
Clients describe it as:
•A gentle pulling or lifting sensation
•Oddly satisfying, like the tension is “unplugging”
•A deep but non-painful stretch from the inside out
•Relaxing once you settle into it
Many say it’s more freeing than massage alone — especially for areas where the muscles are stuck deep or the pain feels locked in place.
I often combine cupping with massage to:
•Release tight fascia
•Improve lymphatic drainage
•Free up scar tissue or adhesions
•Target deep back tension or shoulder knots
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When should you book a cupping session?
•Chronic back, neck, or shoulder pain
•Deep muscle knots that don’t shift with massage alone
•Sports recovery or delayed onset soreness
•Poor circulation or swelling
•Desk posture, shoulder slumping, or “tech neck”
•General fatigue, detox, or immune support
Cupping is also helpful for anxiety or emotional tension — especially when it’s felt in the body as tightness or overwhelm.
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But is it safe?
Yes — when done by a trained practitioner who listens to your body and adjusts intensity and duration.
I always:
•Ask about your comfort level
•Monitor how your skin responds
•Explain what to expect post-treatment
Aftercare is simple: stay warm, drink water, and avoid cold exposure or intense workouts for 24 hours.
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Final thoughts: Your body holds onto everything — until you show it a way to let go.
Cupping may look unusual, but it works because it speaks a different language — one your body understands perfectly:
“It’s time to move again.”
“Let go of what’s been stuck.”
“Start healing from the inside.”
Don’t be afraid of the marks.
Be curious about the release.
📍 Golden Cross House, Room 203, 2nd Floor, London WC2N 4JF
📞 +44 7786 971943
🌐 www.londonmassage4u.co.uk
