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  • Writer's pictureElizabeth Charlton

Facial Cupping Therapy - The origins of Cupping


Cupping has been practiced in the Far East, with it being very popular in China for what is thought to be close to 2,000 years. It is in recent years in China that this ancient practice has been given a platform as a rejuvenating therapy, making cupping popular all over the world. 

It was the Egyptians who introduced cupping to western medicine, it can be dated back to 1550BC in the Ebers Papyrus that cupping was used to remove foreign matter from bodies in need. 


Use of cupping for both cosmetic and medical purposes spread from Egypt to Greece. Cupping in Europe remained popular until around the beginning of the 20th century. Cupping's therapeutic uses gradually faded out with the rise of what is now known as pharmaceutical medicine.


Cupping is a wonderful treatment modality that offers many therapeutic benefits for those looking for non-invasive holistic based therapies. So how does cupping work?

Using soft silicone cups, vacuuming and suction lifting techniques are applied to the skin of the décolleté, neck and face. As these cups gently glide upon the skin, each time they lift skin up into the cup this creates a negative space. This creation of extra space stimulates new blood flow and increases the skin's microcirculation, bringing fresh nutrient rich blood to the surface, leading to an improvement in the skin’s overall complexion, aka a glow from within.

The lymphatic system is also stimulated, effective lymph drainage, aids in waste removal. Due to facial cupping increasing fluid movement and removal, this in turn, reduces fluid retention. Holding extra fluid in the face can be a cause of puffiness, especially round the eyes and jawline. 

Research has shown that cupping helps to break down tight connective tissue, easing these kinds of restrictions can soften the facial shape. Facial cupping has been known to plump the skin and soften facial expressions, whilst breaking down scar tissue. The easing of tension can also offer relief to a tight and tense jaw which can be associated with TMJ. 

The sensation of receiving facial cupping can be both relaxing and sedating, many clients drift off into a sleepy state, others can find the sounds and sensations caused by the cups quite unusual and amusing. 

We offer Facial Cupping Therapy at Emma Kenny Therapies in Cambridge, UK.

A woman having a facial cupping treatment.
Facial Cupping in Cambridge

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