Let me just start by saying, I love cupping! Click here to read why. Sunny’s cupping sessions are extremely effective for tight muscles but it’s not for everyone. If you are super tight, this is one of the best things you can do to release stubborn muscle tension, deeply detoxify and help with blood circulation.
Sunny is truly a force of nature. She is one of the few therapists who can do over 7 hours of bodywork in one day and she chooses to maintain this schedule 4 days a week. She loves what she does and cares so much for all of her clients. Her style is quite unique. She typically uses quick, deep strokes with her elbows, knuckles and fingers. She uses her whole body as leverage, oftentimes climbing on top of the table (while you are facedown).
In addition to her body and hands, Sunny also likes to incorporate a lot of tools during her sessions such as a percussor massage tool, infrared heat blanket, hot packs, hot towels, eye pillows and more. She also offers 30 minute full back cupping sessions.
Most therapists who incorporate cupping into their massages are typically using a handful of cups during the massage, moving them around and leaving them on for 5-10 minutes.
Sunny does a full “stand alone” cupping session, typically incorporating 40-70 cups, and leaving them on for between 10-20 minutes. If you are super tight, this is one of the best things you can do to release stubborn muscle tension, detoxify and increase blood circulation. While the cups do not hurt, you will feel your skin being pulled and tightened by the suction of the cups and it can be quite uncomfortable. If you are in pain in any way at any time, please alert Sunny right away as she can loosen the cups. Please note…you will bruise. The darker the bruise, the more tense you were in that area and the more toxins that are being pulled up and out of the body click here to read more on the cupping colors and what they mean.
While the bruising looks intense, it fades quickly and is typically gone after a week or two. The bruising of the skin is regarded as a part of the therapy session and is related to increasing blood circulation. When the negative pressure is applied in the cups and the skin is drawn up, a lot of the tiny blood capillaries in the superficial layer of muscles and skin are broken. This drives the body to treat the area as a bruise and to start the healing process. Ancient healers considered these bruises an indication of the success of the therapy session as it represents the release of toxins from the body.
There are other minor side effects that you can experience after cupping therapy like dizziness and headaches. Be sure to drink plenty of water after your cupping sessions and avoid hot baths, saunas and hot tubs for at least 24 hours.
If you are super tight and hold a lot of tension in your shoulders (like me), getting cupping sessions every 2-3 months is an excellent supplement to your massages. Also, if you prefer deeper work, cupping is a great alternative or adjunct treatment.
Sunny’s cupping sessions are 30 minutes in length and cost $70 (no member discounts apply) and can be tacked onto a 1.0 hour massage.
Post-Cupping Healing Process
