cupping cellulite

Cupping Therapy for Cellulite – Benefits and Side Effects

cupping cellulite

Cupping therapy for cellulite has recently exploded as the ultimate treatment to combat this blemish. Used for millennia, cupping has many benefits but also side effects.

Cupping is a therapy that has ancient origins, it is documented for the first time in 1550 B.C. in Ancient Egypt in the famous Ebers Papyrus.

It then spread all over the world, Prophet Muhammad spoke of it, and they traditionally used it in Finnish saunas since the 15th century and is described by George Orwell in the essay How the Poor Die .

In China and Southeast Asia, cupping is a very common practice, sometimes you can meet therapists offering the treatment on the street. According to traditional Chinese medicine, cupping improves the flow of qi, the internal energy of the human body.

It can be compared to what we now call deep-tissue massage. It involves placing special cups in different parts of the body to create a suction effect that will benefit blood circulation and help relieve pain and inflammation.

Dynamic Cupping and Static Cupping

cupping cellulite
Traditional cupping with wooden cup

The therapist traditionally heats the cups to eliminate oxygen and create the vacuum, lets them cool and then applies them on the skin so that they adhere but nowadays cone cups are often used to create the vacuum without the need to use fire.

Traditional glass cups are left to act for about 3 minutes and then removed, it is recommended to apply an antibiotic cream or a bandage to prevent infections. As you have seen in the many photos available online, cupping leaves obvious signs that will disappear completely within 10 days. This is static cupping.

The silicone cups, on the other hand, are slid over the legs or the affected area and leave no marks. In this case we are talking about dynamic cupping.

Cupping has many benefits, it helps to heal eczema and acne, migraines, varicose veins but also other ailments such as anxiety and depression. In this article we will focus on the benefits of cupping to fight cellulite.

This technique is linked to acupuncture, in fact the same meridians are used and in some cases the two techniques can be used in the same session by placing the needles first and then the cup on top.

Cupping for Cellulite

cupping cellulite

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As we mentioned, cupping is useful for fighting inflammation, and cellulite is nothing more than inflammation of the adipose tissue.

There are no specific scientific studies that prove the effectiveness of cupping for cellulite but it seems that by reactivating the microcirculation, massive tissue oxygenation and tissue drainage are activated.

Thanks to this lymphatic drainage action, cupping is effective right from the first session for removing the pads.

Silicone cupping sets are sold on the market for those wishing to try DIY cupping but it is always recommended to go to a specialized center. Many spas offer the first session for free.

Other Benefits of Cupping

cupping cellulite

In addition to cellulite, there are other benefits of cupping for a wide range of issues.

  • Back and neck pain
  • High blood pressure and hypertension
  • Migraine
  • Varicose veins
  • Arthritis
  • Sciatica

Keep in mind that some people propose cupping for the treatment of cancer but there is no scientific study that links cupping to any kind of benefit for patients.

You probably heard about the death of Xu Ting, a famous Chinese actress who has decided to abandon chemotherapy and treat her lymphoma with cupping. It didn’t end well.

Cupping is certainly a technique worth trying for those with mild pain, and aesthetic problems such as cellulite, but certainly not as an alternative to medicine for the treatment of serious health problems.

Contraindications and Side Effects of Cupping

cupping cellulite

Among the negative effects of cupping, there are certainly bruises, infections, and burns, if hot cupping is used. But also panniculitis and embolism can occur. Cupping is not recommended for obese people, people with heart or kidney issues, and particular allergies such as dermatosis. Several doctors, such as Harriet Hall, have called this treatment unnecessary We strongly recommend that you ask your doctor for advice before proceeding with treatment.


Other Cellulite Remedies:


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