The ancient practice of cupping therapy

   is found in traditional medicine systems on every continent worldwide. There are many different ways to employ the treatment, with the most common being Fire Cupping and Suction Cupping. Fire cupping uses glass cups applied to the skin using a flame placed momentarily inside the cup to create a vacuum as the heat dissipates. Some think of this method as a reverse massage. Instead of applying pressure, the fascia is drawn up into a vacuum created inside a cup over the targeted areas. The cups may stay in place for around 5-15 minutes and may or may not be painful or uncomfortable. If you would rather not have purple marks on your body, there are specific ways to use them that do not leave a mark that lasts for more than a day. 

  Depending on where they are placed, I have a love/hate feeling in relation to the cups, but the immediate relief that I get from pain in one of my knees is incomparable. 

  Used for a countless array of problems from illness to acute and chronic injury, cupping is a versatile and effective tool that can be therapeutic and diagnostic.

  This type of treatment is considered to be just one of the tools in the Thai Medicine basket and an art of healing that originated in the area that we now know as Thailand, but civilizations there date back to some of the earliest known in the world.

•What Can You Expect During a Thai Massage Session with Cupping Therapy?

In a typical Thai massage, also called the “lazy man’s yoga”, you will be dressed in flexible clothing to allow an unrestricted range of movement for the assisted stretching and poses similar to yoga which bring relaxation and a soothing effect on your joints and muscles. Your practitioner manipulates the tissues through your clothing, which obviates the need for a massage oil to lubricate the skin.

When cupping is necessary to achieve the desired effect for the client, the bare skin must be exposed for that, so we provide specialized clothing that you can wear during the treatment that will allow us to place the cups anywhere on the body without removing your clothes.

Unlike Western table massages, Thai massage isn’t just about lying passively, it involves movement and participation on your part to achieve joint and muscle pain relief. 

The Thai massage practitioner will be helping you by manipulating the lines within your body while the cups are in place. You may even perform a series of stretches, twists, and yogic poses after placing the cups arranged along the energy pathways of your body (referred to as Sen in Thai). Acupressure and compression techniques will be performed to help ease the blockages which correspond with the placement of the cups. The therapist will be using their hands, knees, legs feet and shoulders to stimulate certain pressure points. The silicone cups can be easily dragged along pathways. When the cups are used this way, they do not leave the purple circles on your body.

Some of the benefits of Cupping Therapy include:

• Tension relief
• Eliminates or reduces headaches
• Back pain relief
• Eases muscle and joint pains or stiffness
• Increases flexibility, mobility, and range of motion
• Stimulates blood circulation and your lymphatic drainage system
• Energizes
• Calms the nervous system
• Makes you happy

•What Makes Thai Massage with Cupping Therapy Different?

Thai massage’s origins can be traced back to Thailand over 2,500 years ago. People who lived there before that were likely already using Cupping therapy.  It is based on the concept that blockages along the pathways by which your life forces flow are preventing the smooth flow of energy which leads to pain and discomfort. By employing Traditional Thai Medicine including massage stretching, joint manipulation, cupping, and other tools, these blockages can be removed and optimal energy flow can be restored to bring you closer to perfect health.

Below are some of the key differences between Thai massage with Cupping Therapy from other massage therapies:

•You will remain fully clothed.

Unlike classic Western massages, Thai massage Cupping Therapy is done while you’re fully clothed. We provide specialized clothing for you to wear during your treatment. Sessions involve placing the cups on your bare skin and then moving your body into different positions and making various stretching exercises while being guided by the Thai massage practitioner.

•The session is performed on the floor with a padded mat and not a massage table.

Swedish massage with Cupping Therapy and other massage techniques are done while you lie on a massage table fully or partially naked. However, with Thai massage Cupping Therapy, you will lie down on the floor and remain fully clothed throughout the duration of the treatment.

•Oil or lotion will be used.

Traditional Thai massage doesn’t really need oil or lotion on your skin for lubrication. The Thai massage cupping sessions do require a little bit to create the seal on the rim with your skin. So, don’t worry, you will not be slathered in oil when the session is over either.

•It involves yoga-like poses and the application of direct pressure.

In other table massage modalities where cupping is used, you will likely only be face up or face down and will just lie down passively on the massage table throughout the entire session. In a Thai massage cupping session, the practitioner will manipulate and guide you in making various yoga poses and stretches to reveal the tightness in your body and improve energy flow.

Also, the therapist will apply direct, rhythmic movements and hand techniques on specific pressure points to bring comfort.

•Does Thai Massage with Cupping Therapy Hurt?

The intensity of the massage will actually be adjusted according to your preferences. Just make sure to communicate with your Thai massage therapists so they can gauge the intensity exactly how you like it.

In fact, even if you have some physical limitations, are pregnant, or have some medical issues, your Thai massage Cupping session can be tailored according to your situation and needs. So if you’re not that flexible, the Thai massage therapist will only make you perform the stretches as far as your body will allow.

•Final Thoughts

Thai Massage Cupping Therapy involves a holistic approach and can help address specific problems naturally without any medications or surgery. 

By understanding what it’s like to get a Thai massage with Cupping, you will be able to prepare yourself and fully enjoy the experience. If you’re looking for the best Thai massage cupping therapist in New York, check out Thai Massage New York City. They offer various Thai massage techniques such as Traditional Thai massage, Four Hands, Herbal Compress, and Couples Thai. You may also book a home visit if you’re too busy.
Ready to explore your options and enjoy the health benefits of Thai massage? Get in touch with us today!