Why vacuum massage is needed and how to do it at home

What is vacuum massage

This is a mechanical massage technique using negative pressure. Air is pumped out of the can, a vacuum is created, and the skin is drawn inward. The difference between the pressure in the bank and the tissues of the body provides a healing effect.

After the procedure, red circles often remain on the skin - extravasates. Unlike ordinary bruises, here the vessels remain intact, but their permeability increases.

As a rule, extravasates appear only after the first procedures and can last from 2 to 7 days.

Why do vacuum massage

Cupping massage helps:

Improve blood circulation and oxygen supply to tissues.
Get rid of cellulite and lose weight faster.
Reduce swelling by removing excess moisture.
Restore the location of collagen fibers in the skin and improve the functioning of fibroblasts - the cells responsible for collagen production.
Relax the muscles, remove the feeling of stiffness.
Accelerate muscle recovery after heavy loads and injuries.
Reduce pain.

Only a professional massage therapist can guarantee a positive effect.

Alexey Moskvin masseur of the highest category of the Yusupov hospital

A specialist with medical education can perform vacuum massage both at home and in a hospital. The doctor examines the patient's medical history and, depending on the goals set, selects the necessary massage technique.

If you don't want or can't go to a massage therapist, experiment. A life hacker will help you get the most out of your home vacuum massage.

Who shouldn't do vacuum massage

According to Alexey Moskvin and physician and magical-skin.com expert Tatyana Plotnikova, vacuum massage is contraindicated for:

lesions of the skin and soft tissues;
problems with blood vessels: thrombosis, cerebral atherosclerosis, aneurysms, varicose veins;
blood clotting disorders, tendency to open bleeding;
benign or malignant tumors of the skin and internal organs;
diseases of the heart and lungs;
paralysis;
colds and high fever;
pregnancy;
diabetes mellitus.

What are the cans for vacuum massage

There are several types of cans with which you can do a home vacuum massage:

Regular glass jars

In such cans, a vacuum is created by burning oxygen.

This method is quite dangerous. An inexperienced person can heat the edges of the cans and burn the skin. Therefore, it is better to look for more modern options.

Glass jars with pear

First, squeeze the pear, and then apply the jar to the skin.

Silicone or rubber cans

In such cans, a vacuum is created when the body is compressed. They are used for dynamic massage.

Cans with a mechanical pump

The air is pumped out by a pump through a special valve on the can. Therefore, you can easily adjust the pressure, and to remove the can, just open the valve. The set with the pump often comes with a flexible hose for self-installation of the cans on the back.

Cans with magnet

These are jars, supplemented with magnetic tubes, which are pressed tightly against the skin during the procedure. The magnet is said to improve the effect, but there is no evidence for this.

Where can and can not be placed banks

Banks are placed on flat surfaces of the body without bone protrusions. The diameter of the cans depends on the selected area:

back, chest, abdomen, buttocks - from 50 mm and more;
cervical collar zone, limbs - 33–44 mm;
face, feet, hands - 11–22 mm.

These are approximate values. The sets contain cans with a diameter of 110 mm and more, as well as very small ones - 4 mm. Large cups are suitable for large areas such as the buttocks. Small cups are used to massage the face: they provide a gentle effect and do not leave marks.

You shouldn't put banks:

on the elbow and knee bends;
under the armpits;
in the groin;
on the mammary glands;
on the navel;
on the sides of the neck, where large arteries pass.

Also, Tatyana Plotnikova does not recommend placing cans on the upper thighs and abdomen during menstruation, since it is undesirable to stimulate blood circulation in these areas.

How to prepare your body for a vacuum massage

Cleanse your skin with regular soap or scrub.

Then warm up the desired area. Stroke the skin for about 5 minutes, do straight and circular rubbing.

Lubricate your skin with massage cream or oil. You can use olive, almond, peach, grape seed, jojoba, and other unscented vegetable oils.

How to do vacuum massage

There are two types of massage:

Static … You put the can on and leave it alone for a while. The desired area works well, but red circles may remain on the skin.
Dynamic, or sliding … The jar is first attached to the skin and then moved. The massage has a less deep effect, but allows you to capture a larger area and does not leave purple spots.

How to do static vacuum massage

Prepare your skin as described above. Release the air from the first can and secure it. The fold inside should be no more than 1.5 cm.

Place the cans at a distance of 5-10 cm from each other.

The first session should be done small - 3-5 minutes per area (back, hips, and so on). You can gradually increase the exposure time to 15–20 minutes, adding no more than 5 minutes per session.

A person should not feel pain and severe discomfort. If not, remove the cans.

When the time is up, press down on your skin and gently lift the edge of the can. The pressure will equalize, and the can will fall behind on its own. Well, or just open the valve, if there is one.

If excess oil remains on your skin, wipe it off with a soft towel or blot with paper.

It is best to abstain from food for an hour after the procedure. Vacuum massage does not affect physical activity.

Tatyana Plotnikova doctor

How to do a sliding vacuum massage

Prepare your skin. Place the rubber can on your skin through two fingers. Press down on the top to release air, and quickly remove your fingers from under the can.

Banks with a pump are placed in the same way as for static massage.

Smoothly, without tearing it off the skin, lead the jar along the massage lines, and then come back. You can move straight, zigzag, figure eight, or spiral.