Cupping & Gua Sha: Old School Healing for Modern Stress
If you’ve ever seen those wild circular marks on athletes or influencers and thought, “Um, did someone lose a fight with an octopus?” — you’ve already met cupping. And maybe you’ve scrolled past gua sha videos on TikTok, with people sculpting their faces like marble statues. But these tools aren’t just trendy; they’re time-tested ways to help your body feel (and even look) better.
So what’s the deal with cupping?
Cupping uses gentle suction to lift the skin and fascia, increase circulation, and basically give your muscles a fresh flush of nutrients and oxygen. It’s awesome for tight shoulders, stiff backs, or when stress has you feeling knotted up. Yes, you might get temporary marks — think of them as little badges of blood flow. They’re usually painless and fade within days.
Underneath the surface, cupping helps loosen adhesions (those sticky spots where tissues get stuck), draw out old metabolic waste, and even calm the nervous system. A lot of people say they feel lighter and breathe more easily after a session, almost like their whole body just unclenched.
And gua sha?
Gua sha is a scraping technique (don’t worry, it’s way more pleasant than it sounds) that uses smooth tools — often jade or rose quartz — to move lymph, release tension, and wake up sluggish circulation. On the body, it helps break up stubborn tightness. On the face, it can reduce puffiness and leave you glowing.
People have been practicing gua sha for thousands of years to address everything from headaches to muscle pain to sluggish digestion. It encourages microcirculation (tiny blood flow), which supports your body’s natural detox process. Plus, it feels amazing — like scratching an itch you didn’t know you had.
Why I love them
Cupping and gua sha are like a deep reset for tissues that hold onto old stress. They help your body clear out stagnation so fresh energy and blood can do their healing thing. They also just feel really good — and who doesn’t need more of that?
On top of that, they’re empowering. In many cases, I can teach you simple gua sha techniques to do at home, so you’re actively participating in your own care. Little by little, your body starts to remember what it’s like to move freely again — without so much tension or stuck-ness.
My approach
I keep things intuitive and tailored. Some days your body might crave the deep pull of cupping; other days, a slow, gentle gua sha to coax tension out. I’ll always check in with you first and adapt to what feels best. It’s not about chasing bruises or marks — it’s about helping your system open up so it can do what it was designed to do: heal.
Quick FAQ
Does it hurt?
Nope. Cupping feels like a gentle suction or lift — kind of like a reverse massage. Gua sha is more of a smoothing, scraping glide over the skin. It can get intense on super tight areas, but most people say it’s the best kind of satisfying.
Will I get marks?
Maybe. Those famous cupping circles are totally normal and not actual bruises. They’re little signs of stagnant blood being pulled to the surface so your body can clear it away. Marks usually fade in a few days.
Can I still work out afterward?Light movement is fine, but skip heavy workouts or hot tubs right after. Give your body a day to settle and soak up all that fresh circulation.