What is Cupping Therapy?
You probably remember the photos from the Olympics: Michael Phelps and dozens of other elite athletes covered in perfect purple circles, looking like they'd been in a fight. Those marks were from cupping therapy, and they sparked a wave of curiosity that hasn't slowed down since. Now you'll see cupping marks on NBA players, MMA fighters, and CrossFit competitors. There's a reason elite athletes invested in this thousands-of-years-old technique: it works for muscle recovery in a way nothing else quite matches.
The technique itself is simple. Special cups, usually silicone or glass at our Saddle Brook spa, are placed on the skin and suction is applied. That suction lifts the skin and underlying fascia upward, pulling stagnant blood to the surface and creating space between layers of muscle and connective tissue that have basically gotten stuck together. It's the opposite of massage. Where massage pushes down, cupping pulls up. The combination can release tightness that even the most aggressive deep tissue work can't reach on its own.
Quick myth-bust on the marks: they're not bruises. Bruising means tissue damage. Cupping marks are just discoloration from old blood being drawn to the surface where your circulatory system can flush it. The darker the mark, the more stagnation was happening in that area. They typically fade in 4-7 days, sometimes up to two weeks if the area was particularly stuck. They're painless, even right after the session.
Benefits of Cupping Therapy
- Boosts local blood flow which accelerates muscle recovery and tissue repair
- Releases stuck fascia in ways traditional massage simply can't reach
- Provides serious relief for chronic neck, shoulder, and lower back tightness
- Helps with respiratory issues by opening up the chest and intercostal muscles
- Stimulates lymphatic drainage, which supports the body's natural detox process
What to Expect During Your Session
You'll lie face down for most of the session, since the back is the most common treatment area. Your therapist will apply a layer of massage oil to the area, then place the cups one by one. There are two common approaches: stationary cupping (cups stay in place for 5-15 minutes) and sliding cupping (cups are moved across the muscle in long strokes after suction is applied). Both feel a little strange at first, like a deep but completely painless pulling sensation. Most clients say it's surprisingly relaxing.
Your therapist may also combine cupping with hands-on massage in the same session, working the surrounding tissue while the cups create suction elsewhere. When the cups come off, you'll likely have those classic round marks. Don't be alarmed, they're a sign the treatment did its job. Drink plenty of water afterward to help your body process everything that was released. Most clients walk out feeling lighter, looser, and much more open across the back.
Who Should Get Cupping Therapy?
Cupping is the move for athletes serious about recovery, weekend warriors who can't shake a stubborn knot, and anyone with chronic upper back or shoulder tension that other treatments haven't fully resolved. We see a lot of marathon runners, CrossFit athletes, lifters, and tennis players from across Bergen County, including Saddle Brook, Garfield, Lodi, Hackensack, Maywood, Fair Lawn, Paramus, Rochelle Park, and Elmwood Park, who add cupping to their monthly recovery routine. It pairs incredibly well with our Deep Tissue Massage, the cupping releases what the deep tissue work can then fully unwind. Athletes specifically should also explore our Sports Massage. And for the full recovery day, finish your visit with time in our steam sauna to keep the circulation moving.