18/08/2026
What does cupping actually do? 👇
In remedial massage, cupping is one of the tools we can use to decompress and stretch soft tissue.
Unlike traditional massage techniques that apply pressure into the body, a cup creates negative pressure, gently lifting the skin and underlying tissues. This can create space between tissue layers and provide a different type of stretch through the skin, fascia and superficial soft tissues.
Depending on the goal of your treatment, your therapist may:
🔵 Park the cups in one area for a period of time to provide sustained decompression and stretch.
🔵 Glide the cups across the skin to create a moving stretch through the tissues and work across a larger area.
Cupping isn’t a treatment strategy on its own. It’s a tool your therapist can incorporate into a broader remedial massage treatment alongside hands-on techniques, movement and other approaches based on what they’re trying to achieve.
And those circular marks? They’re a common temporary response to stationary cupping and can vary significantly from person to person. Darker marks don’t necessarily mean more “toxins,” worse tissue, or a better treatment.
The goal isn’t to leave the biggest marks — it’s to use the right tool, in the right way, for the right person.
Are you in need of some soft tissue care? Get in touch to book a remedial massage in our sports clinic! Private health fund claims available.