In my never-ending quest to try new (and occasionally whacko) things, I went to a massage therapist today that specialized in cupping.  Cupping, you ask?  What the hell is that?  Well, in the most rudimentary of terms, it involves placing cups on your body and reducing air pressure to create suction on the skin.   I know, sounds weird, eh?  When you get a regular massage all that happens is compression.  When the massage therapist started using cups today, I felt pulling, tugging, stretching and yanking.  And it was amazing.

I’d heard about cupping a while back when Gwyenth Paltrow started doing it.  She’s such a trendsetter.  (And, yes, I know it’s been around for a zillion years … but Gwyennie is my touchstone.)

Long considered “traditional medicine”, there’s about a bazillion different versions of cupping too.  It’s been around since 3,000 B.C. and it’s found in many cultures worldwide. Yes, even Kansas.

With the exception of the semi-unsightly cup-marks on my back that make me look like I’ve been pelted with golf balls, I was happy with the results.  The endless kinks and knots in my back are magically gone.  The masseuse swears by it.  She’s been doing it for 15+ years.  I think she was just excited to try it on me since I was putty in her hands.  I would have said yes to anything.  (And, yes, that’s really my back in the picture.)

During the process, she kept commenting on how good it is to circulate blood flow around the muscles.  Makes sense, but who knew a suction cup could create so much ebb and flow within my body?

I’m all about new experiences and this one was very holistic and enjoyable.  The masseuse, Stephanie, was chatting and engaging.  The last time I tried something this new age-y, I had a colonic.  It was awkward, but beneficial.   At least with cupping, I didn’t feel obligated to shoot the shit with Stephanie during the procedure.  (Yeah, I went there.)