20 Nov Cupping (my first time)
Have you ever wanted to try something, but you weren’t quite sure what it was or if it would hurt? That was me with cupping. I had seen people parading around the city, flaunting their “I just got cupped” marks like a wellness badge of honor, but could never bring myself to do it. Floating Lotus reached out and offered me a complimentary service, so I mustered up the courage to finally do it. Below are a few common questions about the practice and my experience with it.
WHAT IS CUPPING?
Cupping is an ancient form of alternative medicine in which a therapist puts special cups on your skin for a few minutes to create suction. It dates back to ancient Egyptian, Chinese, and Middle Eastern cultures.
WHAT IS THE PURPOSE?
After reading up on it, it can help with so many things: acne, inflammation, high blood pressure, muscle aches, sciatica, mentrual cramps, migranes, anxiety, depression. The list goes on and on and on.
WAS IT PAINFUL?
The million dollar question, and also my main concern. Surprisingly, it wasn’t painful. The most I felt was a bit of pressure when the cups were first placed, but I got used to that feeling fairly quickly and the slight discomfort subsided within minutes. It also did not hurt when the cups were taken off. And, although there was bruising/marks they didn’t hurt to touch at any point during or after the process.
WHAT WAS THE PROCESS?
Upon arriving to Floating Lotus I was asked to fill out a questionnaire about my medical history and any current concerns. After reading over my answers, my practioner asked a few more questions. I walked into a dimly the studio that had a massage table. I undressed from the neck up and lay face down on the table. My back was rubbed with a CBD oil blend while I was told what to expect. I could hear the cups being warmed (which is what helps create the suction). The warming lasted a few seconds before the cup was strategically placed on my back. This was repeated several times. The cups were not cold or hot. They were not painful, like I mentioned earlier, all I felt was a little pressure and skin tightening. Once he was done, my practicioner left the room for what seemed like 15 minutes. I lay on the table, face down the entire time, drifting into my thoughts. Once he returned he removed each cup, one by one. Again, no pain.
HOW LONG WAS THE PROCESS?
The entire process lasted about 30 minutes.
DID YOU NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES?
I slept VERY well that night (and I had been suffering from insomnia). When I woke up the next morning I felt a weightlessness, sort of like a calmness in my mind/heart/spirit. I imagine, much like any other form of holistic medicine, you would have to continuously go to receive maximum benefits.
HOW LONG DO THE MARKS LAST?
My marks lasted about 4 days. They were significantly lighter on day 4.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
Cupping can typically cost between $90-250 depending on where you go.
WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN?
Absolutely. I tend to rely on Eastern healing methods more than Western ones and would, without a doubt, try cupping again.
*I received my cupping service complimentary from Floating Lotus. However all views and ideas were formed on my own accord*