You have probably seen in those famous photos of Gweneth Paltrow in the media, with cupping marks on her back. If you've never tried this ancient Chinese Cupping Therapy before it can be a little daunting, but once you understand the theory behind it the mystery of cupping marks is resolved.
Cupping has been around for more than 4000 years. The technique originally a glass cup ( but I find the modern day rubber cups more practical) is suctioned onto areas of the body and sits for 10 minutes. The cup stimulates bloodflow, lymph and Qi (energy) to the area and is a fantastic method for treating muscular pain and tension and also helps to clear toxicity from organs by working on specific meridian points.
Cupping marks left on the skin are an indication that stagnated blood has been lifted from an area of injury/dysfunction in a muscle. The vacuum effect draws old non-circulating blood, lymph and toxins to the surface and creates space in the tissues for oxygen and a speedy recovery. The less stagnation in an area the lighter to cup mark will be, they usually last about 3 to 5 days.
I find myself spotting cup marks on the beach and realising that they have been 'branded' by me! There is something satisfying knowing that the cup marks have eased someone's frozen shoulder, sciatica, stiff neck...
If you are in Mallorca, BOOK A CUPPING TREATMENT and experience it yourself !