My Fire Cupping Experience

Fire Cupping, looks scary right?

At first it was. It has taken me a handful of sessions over the past two years to confidently say that I enjoy the process of cupping and feel the benefits. There was actually one session, a year ago, where the cups were too tight (these were plastic cups that the therapist can manually extract the air from) and it bruised me, for weeks, days before my birthday and my trip to sunny Mexico. You can imagine the looks I got while I was abroad with Will and in turn I tried to cover up my back the entire trip.

After that session I swore I would never do cupping again, and then I met Adria.

I remember the first day I worked with her at lululemon. I had just come back from an adventure somewhere and I saw this beautifully confident girl holding a ton of clothes. She was either about to try on everything in the store or she was a newbie to our lulu family. I watched as she walked around the store gracefully putting the clothes away to perfection in their homes. At first, I thought she must be a transfer from another store because she looked like an expert. As she walked by with her huge smile I could feel a grounded and calming energy. I don’t remember who said "hi" first but I can tell you I felt an instant connection.

The day she posted in our group message about practicing her latest passion- Fire Cupping- I almost didn’t reply. I vowed that the last cupping experience I had received was the end. I had already tried 3 different therapist for cupping over a years time and to be honest I was ready to give up, I never felt the results I wanted to feel and began to believe cupping just wasn't for me. In this post she also requested time for a feedback after the session. This caught my eye because I love honest feedback and the opportunity for growth. So, I signed up and was very nervous as I had never had cupping done with fire.

When I arrived for my session I was honest and told her my previous experience with cupping.

I let her know that I prefer to know what is going on before it happens-- she was VERY GOOD at explaining. She also told me that the fire cups were different than plastic cups because you cannot squeeze air out of the glass jars so it is more natural.

She prepared me before she put them on my body and watched carefully over my body (yes, I watched her feet to see if she was close) to ensure they were not left on for too long. She gently massaged my back when we were finished and restored my confidence in cupping.

Since that time I have had many cupping sessions from Adria and we have had the opportunity to customize the sessions to my liking.

Most people simply do cupping sessions, where they come in and go straight for the cups on the body. Every time I would do that I felt like it shocked my body a bit. I move slow, just ask my husband, he always knows that I need more time to get ready or wake up on the weekends. I need a little warm up and over time I've learned that I prefer a mini massage before the cups go on. It is my way to communicate to my body that something is going to happen and it is time to relax and enjoy the process.

The thing I love about Adria is that she is a healer.

She understands that every person is different and that we all have unique needs. She does not have one way of doing something and she is someone who loves to learn. She prefers to feel the body before she does work. She wants time to connect and understand what is happening so that she can provide a healing experience.

Here are some questions you might have:

What is Cupping?

Cupping is an ancient Chinese form of alternative medicine in which a local suction is created on the skin. It is the term applied to a technique that uses small glass cups or other suction devices that are placed on the skin to disperse and break up stagnation and congestion by drawing congested blood, energy or other humors to the surface. One of the earliest documentations of cupping can be found in the work titled A Handbook of Prescriptions for Emergencies, which was written by a Taoist herbalist by the name of Ge Hong and which dates all the way back to 300 AD. An even earlier Chinese documentation, three thousand years old, recommended cupping for the treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. In both Eastern and Western cultures, cupping evolved from shamanistic practices that held the belief that illnesses and infirmities can be sucked out of the body

What are the Benefits?

The suction and negative pressure provided by cupping can loosen muscles, encourage blood flow, and sedate the nervous system (which makes it an excellent treatment for high blood pressure). Cupping is used to relieve back and neck pains, stiff muscles, anxiety, fatigue, migraines, rheumatism, and even cellulite.

This treatment is also valuable for the lungs, and can clear congestion from a common cold or help to control a person’s asthma. In fact, respiratory conditions are one of the most common maladies that cupping is used to relieve.

Cupping’s detoxifying effect on skin and circulatory system is also significant, with a visible improvement in skin color after three to five treatments. Cupping removes toxins and improves blood flow through the veins and arteries. Especially useful for athletes is cupping’s potential to relieve muscle spasms.

Cupping also affects the digestive system. A few benefits include an improved metabolism, relief from constipation, a healthy appetite, and stronger digestion.

What does cupping feel like?

Cupping is a different sensation for everyone. I like to describe it as a reverse massage. When the cup first makes contact with the skin it feels tight. At the half way point it feels more manageable and even has a nice sensation. When the cups are taken off it feels very relaxing- like you had someone pull your shoulders out of your ears. Upon my first few cupping sessions I felt a bit sore the following day but that hasn't happened in a while and I think it is because of the customization Adria has created for me. I also have more awareness to how I need to prepare and how to take care of my body after the sessions.

How to prepare before your cupping session:

Drink plenty of water before you go.

Pull your hair all the way up and out of the way.

No jewelry.

Breathe throughout the session (I also like to set an intention or repeat a mantra).

If possible clear your day afterwards so you can rest.

Things to do after your session:

Drink more water.

Avoid greasy or heavy foods- don’t make the body work harder than it has too.

Take a warm bath or spend some time in the sauna to help purge the toxins from your body.

Cover up-- this one has made a huge difference!After cupping the Meridian Line of your body is open and exposed so you will want to protect your body from outside elements.

Sleep as much as possible.

Cupping for me was a must try and now I think of it as a self care practice.

I believe in taking care of the inside of my body with nourishing foods and healthy liquids. I prefer to take care of the outside of my body with mindful workouts and yoga. Cupping brings in balance to my lifestyle and I highly recommend giving it a go. If you have any questions feel free to ask here or hit me up on Instagram. You can find Adria at Apotheque Spa in Oceanside, CA.

*I need to tell you that I am not a doctor and I am not responsible for your health just an advocate of it :)

xoxo,