Cupping Therapy | Massage and Hypnosis McKinney

Todd Herbst • September 4, 2020

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What you need to know about 

cupping therapy.

Cupping Therapy

I have been getting some questions about using cupping in my practice here at Quantum Medical Massage and Hypnosis so I wanted to give you a quick overview on the cupping technique that is used with some massage therapies to help you decide if it is right for you.


As always, let me know in the comments below if you have any questions and I’ll be happy to answer them for you.

What is cupping therapy?

Cupping therapy is a form of alternative medicine that has regained popularity over the past decade.


Modern day cupping therapy involves using glass jars, or Silicone cups and applied to the therapy area of the skin.


While they can be left on for a few minutes according to the therapy needed and slowly lifted off the skin.


I use the silicone cups in a fluid movement to manipulate the fascial system to increase blood flow to the affected area to promote healing, flexibility and energy movement.

How did cupping start or who “invented it”?


The history of cupping as a therapy goes back thousands of years.


There is evidence of its use in ancient Egyptian writing and ancient Greek writings. Arabic culture started to use cupping as a regular therapy after the prophet Muhammad recognized its use as a healing process, where it eventually spread to Europe.


But what we know of modern day cupping in America comes from ancient Chinese medicine dating back to 300BC.


Its use in Chinese medicine coincides with the use of Qi in the body. Qi is the energy movement throughout the body in perpendicular energy lines.


By the use of acupuncture and cupping the Qi energy could become “unclogged” and energy could flow normally. This flow of energy is what Chinese medicine uses for the body to heal itself.


The patient should be able to see fast results and quick recovery from cupping as a non-invasive technique energy release technique.



Book and Teacup

What are some of the benefits of cupping therapy?

The main benefit of cupping is to loosen the muscles around the cupped area and increase blood flow to these muscles to promote healing.


A side benefit for many is to help relax the nervous system. When coupled with massage therapy the benefits to the body are magnified. 


Cupping is used to treat neck pain, back pain, sore muscles, indigestion, injury recovery, anxiety, headaches and even migraines. Some people find relief from fatigue, joint problems and rheumatism.


In fact, there are numerous areas all over the body cupping can be used to aid in healing and health.



I see celebrities and professional athletes who have used cupping. Is this a fad or is this something I should do too?

Obviously, you should do something because you think it will probably help you and not because someone famous did it. But that being said, the rise in popularity of cupping means that it does work for many people.


If you have any of the medical issues above and want to seek out natural ways to treat them, either before you see a medical doctor or even during your current medical treatments, then cupping may be something to add to your medical massage therapy.


*** If you are currently seeing a medical doctor for a known issue it is always a good idea to get their opinion before starting any new treatments.

Swimmer in Pool

How is cupping used in conjunction with massage therapy?

This is a great question.


One of the goals of massage therapy is to loosen the fascia and connective tissues that reside just below the skin layers.


When we are stressed, anxious, nervous, tense, or anything similar the body reflects this by tightening up the fascia and connective tissues.


Sometimes we stay in such a state of tightness that when we do finally relax our body has trouble loosening up.


This can lead to a whole range of pain points in the body.


The fascia is an interconnected series of fibers that are between the skin layers and the muscle layers. This facia is very susceptible to tightening up and creating these individual pain points and knots.


Massage therapy usually focuses on releasing this facia tension, connective tissues, and muscles to increase blood and energy flow leading to healing and better health. 


This is why you likely feel that glow and relaxation all over your body after you have been to a massage session with Billy. He knows exactly what and where on the body to bring this euphoria about for you.


If you find you have certain areas that are really bothering you or feel incredibly tight or hard to move, cupping may be something that would help.



Read my short story about neck and shoulder pain.

Billy Kelley

Talk with Billy after you book your appointment and see if this ancient healing technique is right for you.


In the meantime, leave a comment below.

I'd love to hear from you!






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