An ancient tool for modern pain — here’s what cupping does for your muscles.
Cupping Therapy: Not Just a Trend
Cupping therapy has been around for over 3,000 years. This ancient healing technique has roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine, ancient Egyptian practices, and Middle Eastern healing traditions. And while it may look a little strange at first, the results speak for themselves.
At Western Colorado Therapeutics, I use cupping regularly in sessions — not because it’s trendy, but because it works.
How Cupping Works: Massage in Reverse
Most people are familiar with massage as a form of compression — pushing into the muscle to release tension. Cupping flips that idea on its head.
Instead of pressing into the muscle, cupping uses suction to lift the tissue. This decompression helps loosen fascia (the connective tissue around muscles), improve blood flow, and encourage stagnant fluids to move out of the body.
Here’s the analogy I share with clients:
Imagine your muscle is like a sponge inside a vacuum-sealed bag. It’s tight, compressed, and nothing can get in or out. When we apply a cup to that muscle, it’s like opening the bag — suddenly the sponge can expand again. That expansion allows fresh oxygen and blood to reach the tissue and promote healing from the inside out.
Why I Love Using Cupping in Massage Sessions
Cupping makes my work more efficient. I can cup one area (like your upper back) while working manually on another (like your neck or shoulders). That means more therapeutic benefit in the same amount of time.
It’s also incredibly helpful for areas that feel locked up or overworked — especially for people with chronic pain, limited range of motion, or repetitive strain injuries.
What to Expect During a Cupping Session
Sensation: You’ll feel a pulling or suction sensation — it’s not painful, but it’s definitely unique.
After: Some people experience circular marks where the cups were placed. These aren’t bruises — they’re just signs of increased blood flow and usually fade within a few days.
Result: Most people feel lighter, looser, and more mobile after cupping.
Who Benefits from Cupping?
We often use cupping therapy for:
Chronic back and neck tension
Limited range of motion
Myofascial restrictions
Recovery from workouts or athletic performance
Clients who feel “stuck” in their bodies
Curious to Try Cupping Therapy in Grand Junction or Basalt, CO?
If you're dealing with chronic tension, tightness, or just want to experience a deeper level of release, cupping could be exactly what your body needs.
Book your next session below and let’s bring your body back to balance.
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