Relatively unknown to most people living in the West until recently, suction cup massage or suction cup therapy is an alternative therapeutic method that has been popular in China since around 1000 BC. Some records indicate that variations of suction cup practices could actually be much older – possibly dating back to 3000 BC.
And for good reason. Massage with suction cups, has a number of health benefits that can often surpass the techniques of modern medicine.
One of the biggest advantages of treating alternative practices such as suction cup therapy, acupuncture or massage therapy is that these methods do not pose the risk of unwanted side effects, as pharmacological drugs or surgery do.
In fact, there is really no downside to treating alternative practices like this, as studies show that they can help stimulate immune function and speed up healing time without the use of any medication or even herbs. And these are just some of the benefits of suction cup massage.
Suction cup massage and its health benefits
Most of the validity of suction cup massage as an alternative medical practice comes from its long history of use over the past 3,000 years. Suction cup techniques have been widely used for the treatment of a number of disorders and symptoms, sometimes on their own, or at other times in conjunction with other alternative practices. It is common for suction cup massage to be used in conjunction with massage therapy, essential oils, acupuncture or even as a complement to “Western medicine” treatments.
What we do know from the limited scientific studies that have been done, is that massage with suction cups works by expanding the capillaries and increasing the amount of fluid that enters and leaves the tissues. In addition to this, suction cup massage seems to elicit a relaxation response in some people, meaning it is useful for reducing stress and its negative effects.
While there is much anecdotal evidence that this therapy may be effective and safe, to date there are very few clinical studies that have been conducted using humans, making it difficult to “prove” the many time-long benefits of suction cup massage.
That said, it’s worked for millions of people over many years, so here are five ways suction cup massage might be able to help you.
1. Suction cup massage helps reduce pain
One of the most common reasons why people turn to alternative treatment methods is because they are looking for a safe way to naturally reduce joint pain, and muscle pain.
After reviewing dozens of evidence from randomized clinical trials of suction cup therapies in patients with pain of any origin, a report published that this therapy significantly reduced pain in people with lower back pain compared to usual treatments, showed positive effects in the treatment of cancer pain compared to cancer drugs and painkillers, and helped relieve pain associated with breathing problems.
It is believed that suction cup therapy releases deep tissues within the body, relaxes tense muscles, and relieves stiffness associated with chronic back and neck pain, migraines, rheumatism, and fatigue. Some athletes have known the use of suction cup therapy to naturally improve performance and reduce stiffness, muscle cramps, joint pains and scar tissue caused by injuries.
Therapy goes right to the soft tissue by applying local pressure to weak spots and areas of inflammation. As blood flow within vessels and capillaries increases, tissues receive much-needed nutrients and oxygen.
Practitioners of this suction cup technique use pressure, heat, aspiration and needles above or below the site of injury, allowing energy to travel along the “channels” (meridians) that pass through the injury.
For help with pain reduction, suction cups are usually placed in the following areas: on the fleshy part of the shoulder blades, on the groin/back, by the neck (to soothe tension headaches, toothaches, or migraines), or around the lower back.
2. Promotes relaxation
It might seem counterproductive, but suction cup massage often helps relieve physical symptoms and allows people to enter a more relaxed state as it is a sedative of the central nervous system. This is similar to acupuncture, you can assume it hurts and is uncomfortable, but it actually seems to help most patients’ lower stress responses and therefore offers protection against anxiety and depression.
How can suction cup therapy offer relaxation? Just the act of lying down and taking charge during therapy sessions could have a positive effect on a person’s psychological well-being, which could be one reason it is used to decrease mental illness.
Once the suction cups are placed down and suck, you may need to remain motionless for up to 20 minutes, forcing the stillness and silence of patients who might otherwise lead a very hectic life.
Another reason this therapy helps relaxation, is because it helps raise the pressure on tense muscles, which offers a sense of relief just like you receive a deep tissue massage.
3. Suction cup therapy increases skin health
This therapy is used to reduce herpes, cellulite, acne and inflammation of the skin. While studies have not shown that it can necessarily help with weight loss, the fact that it tones and firms the skin, improving blood flow and capillary expansion, makes it the popular focus of attention among celebrities and people who wish to have toned skin.
As part of a skin lightening or cellulite treatment, the oil is commonly first applied to the skin before using the suction cups and moving them around, giving heat to the area along with various healing ingredients for the skin, depending on the type of oil used.
Because this massage improves blood flow and may help reduce inflammation, some studies have found that it is equally or even more effective in treating acne compared to antibiotics. A meta-analysis of six studies showed that, to improve acne, the cure rate with this suction cup therapy was better than the cure rate with prescriptions based on tanshinone, tetracycline and ketoconazole.
4. Helps treat breathing problems and colds
Often used to help nourish the lungs and is freed from phlegm or congestion, massage using suction cups can be helpful in speeding up the healing time of respiratory diseases such as the flu or the common cold. It helps improve immune function by moving blood and lymphatic fluid through the body, which are why it has been associated with reductions in chronic lung diseases (especially cough), allergies, infections and asthma.
The treatment of suction cups in respiratory conditions such as pulmonary tuberculosis is one of the oldest uses, and was used long before prescriptions were available.
5. Suction cup therapy improves digestion
Acupuncture and suction cups are two popular ways to improve digestion and reduce symptoms of disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). This could be mainly because they can decrease a patient’s stress response, which is highly linked to healthy digestive functioning.
Throughout history, suction cup therapy has been found to be beneficial for people with frequent stomach pains, diarrhea, and acute gastritis, loss of appetite, gastrointestinal diseases and water retention. For digestive disorders, massage is often performed in the following areas: around the navel, over the bladder, around the kidneys or stomach.
