When people hear the word cupping, they often picture the dark, circular marks left on Olympic athletes or videos of someone placing glass cups on the body using a flame.
That technique is called fire cupping, and it’s one style of cupping therapy.
At Geek Girl Massage Therapy, I use silicone cupping instead.
Clients sometimes ask if one is better than the other. The truth is, they both have their place. They simply work a little differently and are often used with different treatment styles.
What Is Fire Cupping?
Fire cupping is the traditional form of cupping therapy. A therapist briefly places a flame inside a glass cup to warm the air. As the air cools, it creates suction that gently lifts the tissue beneath the cup.
The cups are usually left in one spot for several minutes, although some therapists also use moving techniques with glass cups.
Fire cupping is commonly used by many massage therapists and acupuncturists, and it’s the style most people recognize from photos and social media. It also tends to leave the darker circular marks that many people associate with cupping.
What Is Silicone Cupping?
Silicone cupping uses soft, flexible cups instead of glass. Rather than creating suction with heat, the cup is gently squeezed before it’s placed on the skin.
Because the cups are flexible, I can easily adjust the amount of suction throughout your session. They can stay in one place when needed, but they can also glide smoothly over the muscles using massage lotion.
That flexibility is one of the biggest reasons I enjoy working with silicone cups.
Why I Prefer Silicone Cupping
Over the years, I’ve found that silicone cupping fits my treatment style much better.
My goal isn’t simply to place a cup on a tight muscle and wait. I like to keep the tissue moving.
Unlike traditional glass cups, silicone cups let me glide across the muscles while continuing to massage.
I can combine massage techniques, cupping, and gentle stretching into one continuous treatment instead of treating them as separate techniques.
That doesn’t mean the cups are always moving. Sometimes I’ll leave them in a few carefully chosen areas for about 10 minutes while I work on another part of your body. For example, I might let the cups rest on your back while I massage your hips or legs. It gives the tissue a little extra time under gentle suction without making the entire session about stationary cupping.
I can also easily adjust the amount of suction as we go. If an area is especially sensitive, I can lighten the pressure. If another area needs a little more work, I can gradually increase it without interrupting the flow of the session.
For me, it creates a treatment that feels more natural and allows me to customize the session to what your body needs that day.
If you happen to have a silicone allergy, I also have plastic vacuum cups available so we can still incorporate cupping into your massage.
Does Silicone Cupping Still Leave Marks?
Yes, most of the time.
One of the biggest misconceptions about silicone cupping is that it doesn’t leave marks. It certainly can. I often see a mix of light and darker circles after a session.
How noticeable those marks are depends on several factors, including:
- The condition of the tissue
- How much restriction is present
- The amount of suction used
- How long the cups remain in one area
Some people leave with only faint circles that disappear quickly. Others may have a few darker marks mixed with lighter ones.
The marks are temporary and usually fade over the next several days, although everyone’s skin responds a little differently.
It’s also worth mentioning that darker marks don’t necessarily mean your muscles were “worse.” My goal isn’t to create dramatic circles. My goal is to help your muscles move better, reduce tension, and leave you feeling better than when you walked in.
Does One Work Better?
I don’t think it’s really about which technique is better.
It’s about choosing the right tool for the goal of the session.
For the type of neuromuscular massage I provide, silicone cupping allows me to work more dynamically while helping improve movement, reduce muscle tension, and address restrictions as they happen.
That’s why it’s the technique I choose to use.
Many talented therapists prefer fire cupping, and it works well for the way they practice. Silicone cupping simply fits the way I approach massage and gives me the flexibility to tailor each session to the person on my table.
Curious About Silicone Cupping?
If you’ve been interested in cupping but felt a little intimidated by the idea of flames or wondered whether you’d leave covered in dark circles, silicone cupping may be a great place to start.
I’d be happy to answer your questions, explain what to expect, and help you decide if cupping is a good fit for your massage.
