Cupping

[Swimmer]

Today, I had a long-overdue deep muscle massage and went to a new massage therapist. Unfortunately, my last MT, whom I love dearly, was too disorganized with her schedule and would occasionally stand me up. In any event, someone at work was generous to tell me about her MT, whom I saw today.

The new MT, after working on my tight shoulders/back asked if she could do cupping on my back and hips. AMAZING. Of course, now my back has several large hickeys on it but I feel like a new person. My backbone is straight again, too. She also worked on some really bad high hamstring tendonitis I've endured for years, and my hips. DOMS is already setting in. I'm going to spend the rest of the day napping and drinking water.

Needless to say, I've made another appt w/her in two weeks and plan to see her once a month for maintenance, once my hip/glute inflexibility is resolved.

 

[IslandRose]

Cupping feels great, the only bad thing is the bruising afterwards. I use arnica gel for the bruises. You can also buy the silicone suction cups used for cupping (check Amazon) and learn how to do cupping massage yourself on those areas you can reach (i.e. shoulders, legs, etc.). For the back you have to keep seeing the massage therapist, or get somebody else to help. Of course it is much better to see the MT, but it's good to know you can learn how to do it for maintenance at home.

 

[Swimmer]

I have some really good-sized hickeys on my back from it. Since I bruise easily, it really doesn't bother me. Arnica is great for muscle soreness, too.