What are those?! Cupping marks - what are they and what can they tell you about your body?
- movemethics
- Jun 7, 2024
- 2 min read
The shock on people's faces when they see cupping marks is quite remarkable (no pun intended). People often look at them thinking you must be in so much pain. And perhaps that is the case but not from the marks themselves. They are (mostly) painless reflections of what's happening underneath the surface of your skin. This long-lived Chinese method has found its way into Western practices serving incredible benefits in recovery and restoration of damaged tissues.
Let's talk about the famous marks it leaves on your skin!
So what are the marks? Are they bruises?
No, the mark are not bruises. Let me clarify the difference. The marks (similarly to bruises) are the result of breakage of small capillaries underneath your skin (hence the redness/darker change of colouring of our skin we can see) but unlike bruises they are not indication of muscle fibre damage.
Why are some marks darker than others?
The colour intensity of the mark indicates the level of stagnated blood underneath the cup. The bigger and longer the stagnation in the area, the darker the mark. The mark can also point out an injury, in particular an old one.
Graphic Source: Halipax
What is the blood stagnation and what contributes to it?
The blood stagnation, also referred to as 'blood stasis', is a combination of dead cells, static blood, old lymph, and cellular debris. The stagnated blood does not serve its function in delivering nutrition to cells and take out toxins through lymphatic system.
Inappropriately healed old or new injuries, dehydration, poor diet, lack of movement, lack of sleep, excessive alcohol drinking, excessive stress and trauma contributes to increase in blood stagnation.
Why do some of the marks also leave dark small dots and why are some marks slightly brown/yellow-ish (that may not appear the same in darker skin tones)?
Some online sources state that the small dark spots within the redness of the mark and/or the yellow/brownish tone of the mark may indicate the presence of toxins in the area. The spots may also indicate the small broken capillaries. After the hemoglobin gets reabsorbed the mark may lose its red tone appearing brown/yellowish in return.
How long will the marks stay visible? Is there anything I can do to make them disappear quicker?
That varies based on individuals and of course how strong the mark appeared in the first place. Soft fresh redness may disappear already within an hour after the treatment. Darker marks may take few days/up to a week to be completely gone.
Staying mobile and active, K-taping, foam rolling, taking warm baths and other methods that increase blood circulation can contribute to marks disappearing quicker.
Intrigued by cupping? Help your recovery today and book your appointment!
With Love,
Angie
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