A Beginner’s Guide to Cupping Therapy - 2023 | MassageCupping.com

Discover the Power of Cupping Therapy: A Beginner’s Guide for 2023

How to Learn Cupping Therapy
Discover the Best Ways to Learn Cupping Therapy in 2023

Table of Contents

  1. Manual Cupping Therapy vs Electronic Vacuum Cupping Therapy
  2. Cupping Therapy Starter Sets
  3. Cupping Therapy Online Courses
  4. Cupping Therapy In-Person Workshops

Each year, our customer service team handles thousands of inquiries from customers and students. By far, the most common questions we receive are “What is the best equipment to buy?” and “What is the best way for me to learn cupping therapy?

We’ve compiled a list of our best recommendations that will help guide your decision on what cupping therapy equipment and training is right for you. Read on for our best recommendations on how to get started with cupping therapy.

Manual Cupping Therapy vs Electronic Vacuum Cupping Therapy

Deciding what type of cupping therapy you want to learn is a crucial first step in your journey into the world of cupping. The two most popular styles of modern cupping therapies are ACE Massage Cupping Therapy and MediCupping VacuTherapy. Both styles were created by our founder, Anita J. Shannon, and utilize a fusion of techniques that combine medical massage with the ancient art of traditional cupping therapy. While ACE Massage Cupping and MediCupping both utilize many of the same techniques, there are some key differences between the two styles that you’ll want to consider. Since both styles utilize different equipment, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of both.

ACE Massage Cupping

Manual Cupping Therapy Cups
Manual Cupping Therapy Cups

ACE Massage Cupping therapy is an incredibly versatile, modern style of cupping therapy. The basic movements can easily be customized to accomplish a wide variety of techniques, from lymphatic drainage to deep tissue release. This complements many health modalities ranging from spa and medical massage treatments, to chiropractic, physical, and occupational therapies. By creating suction and negative pressure, ACE Massage Cupping therapy is used to soften tight muscles, tone attachments, loosen adhesions, lift connective tissue, bring hydration and blood flow to body tissues, and drain excess fluids and toxins by opening lymphatic pathways.

ACE Massage Cupping uses traditional cupping therapy cups that are pumped by hand via rubber bulbs or a pistol hand-pump. Since the equipment is manually pumped by hand, it’s simple to operate for most practitioners. The compact nature of the equipment is convenient when traveling to clients. Since there are no electronics used in ACE Massage Cupping, the noise levels are extremely low.

One of the biggest differences between ACE Massage Cupping and MediCupping comes down to suction levels. Since suction pressure is done entirely by “feel” when working with manual cups, ACE Massage Cupping cannot utilize an exact suction pressure when performing techniques. While this is okay for many clients, some treatments or conditions will demand a more precise level of suction pressure beyond what manual cups pumped by hand can deliver. We’ll explore the benefits of having a precise suction level a bit more in the MediCupping section.

Pros
  • Easy to operate equipment.
  • Equipment is compact and easily transported.
  • Equipment is easy to clean.
  • Low cost of equipment and accessories.
  • Low noise.
Cons
  • Hands can get tired due to repeated pumping of cups.
  • Unable to deliver precise suction PSI using manual cups.

MediCupping VacuTherapy

Electronic Vacuum Therapy Machines and Accessories
Electronic Vacuum Therapy Machines and Accessories

Like ACE Massage Cupping, MediCupping creates suction and negative pressure which is used to soften tight muscles, tone attachments, loosen adhesions, lift connective tissue, bring hydration and blood flow to body tissues, and drain excess fluids and toxins by opening lymphatic pathways. MediCupping uses an electronic vacuum cupping therapy machine to deliver suction to specially designed cups. This eliminates the pumping that is normally done by hand when working with traditional manual cups. The adjustable suction on the machine creates a soothing, consistent, and effective treatment without strain on the therapist or client.

MediCupping machines are larger and heavier than the rubber bulbs and pistol hand-pumps used with manual cups, but the cups themselves are of similar size in most cases. The machines we sell aren’t especially large or heavy, but they will require a bit more thought be put into safe transport when traveling to clients. Cleaning the cups is easy, if not easier than cleaning manual cups. However, cleaning the machine itself does require more attention to detail as it is an electronic device that can be damaged by water. To learn more about effective cleaning methods for all of our equipment, view our blog post on Cleaning Cupping Therapy Equipment. The machines we sell are very simple to operate, but can be more intimidating to users wary of electronics. We do include brief instructional videos that go over the basics of operation with all of the machines we sell.

Suction pressure supplied by an electronic vacuum therapy machine is incredibly consistent and precise. Our machines include PSI gauges that will allow the practitioner to monitor and adjust the PSI level during treatment. Some treatments and conditions will demand a precision level more complex than what manual cups pumped by hand can deliver, which is where an electronic vacuum therapy machine really shines This also allows the practitioner to record the suction pressure used for certain clients so that they can be returned to or adjusted up or down during future visits. Having a precise suction level can be crucial when working with clients with especially thin and easily damaged skin, such as clients with certain types of cancer. While not all clients will require such precision, having a device that can work with even the most fragile types of skin can be very valuable.

The final point of consideration when it comes to a vacuum therapy machine is the added noise. These devices use a vacuum pump that produces a continuous hum while in operation. While the volume level is not particularly high, it could bother clients who are especially sensitive to noise. A comfortable pair of noise-cancelling headphones can be a simple and effective solution to this issue. This is not a common issue for most clients, though, so this may not be of much concern for your practice.

Pros
  • Adjustable suction levels.
  • Safer on clients with easily-damaged skin.
  • Cups are easy to clean.
  • Significantly less tiresome when performing techniques.
  • Similar cost of accessories, such as cups and hoses.
  • Suction levels can be monitored and recorded for use in future sessions.
Cons
  • Could be harder to operate for practitioners who are uncomfortable with electronics.
  • Higher initial cost of equipment due to needing to purchase a machine.
  • Louder than manual cups.

Cupping Therapy Starter Sets

ACE Massage Cupping Starter Sets for Beginners

For beginners, we highly recommend purchasing one of the complete kits below. Each kit includes a variety of cups as well as an introductory online course.

MediCupping Vacuum Therapy Machines for Beginners

For beginners, we highly recommend purchasing one of the machines below. Each machine includes a variety of cups, hoses, and an introductory online course.

Electromagnetic Cupping Therapy Sets for Advanced Practitioners

One of our most popular products for 2023 has been our Electromagnetic Cupping Therapy TENS Device.

This cutting-edge device combines the power of electrotherapy, magnetic therapy, and ACE Massage Cupping to provide a comprehensive and rejuvenating experience. By harnessing the synergy of these therapeutic techniques, our device stimulates nerve and muscle tissue, enhances blood circulation, and delivers remarkable anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.

The silicone cups used by this device closely resemble the silicone mushroom cups used in traditional ACE Massage Cupping Therapy. This device does not include an intro to cupping therapy online course, so prior cupping therapy training is recommended.

Cupping Therapy Online Courses

Enrolling in one of our online courses is a great starting point to get started. We offer both styles of cupping therapy in online form that are suitable for beginners or existing practitioners who want to brush up on their existing skills at home.

All of our starter sets include a beginner-friendly intro course, so purchasing a starter set is recommended if you also need equipment. If you’ve already purchased cups, one of the courses below are the perfect introduction to get you up to speed.

Cupping Therapy Online Courses for Beginners

Cupping Therapy Online Courses for Advanced Practitioners

Cupping Therapy In-Person Workshops

Cupping Therapy Workshops for Beginners

For students just starting out with cupping therapy, we recommend any of our introductory workshops. You’ll want to choose a class that corresponds to the equipment you want to train with. Our cupping therapy workshops feature a hands-on approach that gives the class plenty of time to practice the techniques in a supervised environment with one of our industry expert instructors.

ACE Massage Cupping Workshops

MediCupping Workshops

Cupping Therapy In-Person Workshops for Advanced Practitioners


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