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*Cupping sessions cannot be booked online.  Please email, or text West Island Massage Therapy at 508-996-1676 or mariannelmt@gmail.com


About Cupping Therapy

Cupping is a therapy that finds its roots in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Ayurvedic Medicine. We focus on using the suction cups within the paradigm of massage therapy. The effects can produce greater results faster that last longer.

Suction from the cups tugs the skin, tissues and muscles upwards to relax muscles, release connective tissue, and increase blood and lymph flow in ways that regular compression massage alone can't do. Cupping also helps increase the energy flow or Qi throughout the body, according to Chinese Medicine concepts. Massage Cupping is a fantastic deep tissue and myofascial release tool.

Negative pressure from the suction cups adds a whole new dimension as the suction and movement techniques combine as a deep and soothing approach to soft tissue manipulation.

Scars disappear, ROM improves, tissue softens and regains elasticity, lymph liquifies and moves, pain levels decrease, and blood flow increases to help move deep inflammation out of the tissues.


Massage Cupping can achieve powerful results in:
​Reducing Appearance of Cellulite
Pain Reduction
Joint Mobilization
Scar Reduction
Pre- and Post-Operative Therapy to​ Shorten Recovery Time & Enhance Surgical Results
Releasing Tight, Contracted Muscle Tissue
Contouring the  Body
Assisting with Weight Loss Programs
Athletic Performance Enhancement
Detoxification – Movement of Stagnation
Skin Toning and Firming

What are the dark circles?
​Will I have them?

Making cupping "marks" is not necessarily an objective in massage cupping, but it very often happens and will vary from person to person. Any temporary markings that may appear are therapeutic signs and nothing to fear.

Cupping increases blood flow, bringing fresh oxygen and nutrients to the tissues and helps to release and flush out toxins trapped in the tissues through the lymphatic system.

The marks can vary in color on the same person on different areas of the body. It depends on what is in the tissue in that area and if the cups are kept in motion or parked a few minutes. 

​The dark purple red color is old stagnant blood and toxins that was trapped in the tissue that has been pulled to the surface for the body to release. They will generally disappear within 7-14 days. 

CONTRAINDICATIONS (Why you should NOT get cupping.)
Cupping is contraindicated in cases of severe diseases, such as cardiac failure, renal failure, ascites due to hepato-cirrhosis and severe edema, as well as hemorrhagic diseases such as allergic pupura, hemophilia and leukemia, and clients with dermatosis, destruction of skin, or allergic dermatitis.

Cupping should not be applied on an area where a hernia exists or has occurred in the past.


If you are unsure whether or not a condition you have may be contraindicated, please first consult your doctor.

Contraindications include, but are not limited to:
blood thinners
hemophiliac
broken bones
dislocations
slipped disks
those undergoing cancer treatments such as radiation (check with Doctor)
sunburn
Pregnancy
ruptured, ulcerated, inflamed skin
Fever
dehydration.
Bleeding disorders
Acute stages of Psoriasis, Eczema, or Rosacea

WARNINGS:
Cupping Therapy affects the body the same as a deep tissue massage.  You may experience Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness that will be akin to a long hard workout.  However, the feel of cupping is not as intense as deep tissue massage. Thanks to the nature of negative pressure therapy, the work is deep without being painful although occasionally it can be uncomfortable.  Remember to check in with your therapist to make sure the therapy is within your personal comfort level.

​If you are diabetic, or have high or low blood pressure, shorter, lighter techniques are recommended and must be used for your overall wellness. Those with low blood pressure should warn the therapist ahead of time as you'll need extra time to rest before rising after a treatment and accommodations will need to be made.


Cupping sessions are $40+ depending on the number of areas being treated.

Add cupping to your massage session for $20+ depending on number of areas being treated.​

Text 508-996-1676 for appointments


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Gwyneth Paltrow showed up on the red carpet with obvious round cupping marks on her back. She received a lot of press and later explained to Oprah, “It feels amazing and it’s very relaxing.”
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Chinese swimmer Wang Qun with cupping marks. (Right) How cupping is applied. (Below) American Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps showing his cupping marks.(Photo : Getty Images)
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When cups are removed, they leave behind marks that vary from light red to deep purple. They will generally disappear within 7-14 days.
Notice to All New Clients:
Under no circumstances do I perform any kind of massage even remotely associated with sexual massage, ever.
Any comments and/or behaviors that are sexually inappropriate will prompt me to immediately terminate the session and charge in full for that appointment.  I am licensed by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a Massage THERAPIST and run my practice with the utmost professionalism and respect for my clients as well as myself. 

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Mariannelmt@gmail.com
508-254-2692