Vacuum or cupping massage is a technique in which a mild suction - a partial vacuum - is created on the skin using a cup or a machine attachment. The method has a long history: cupping is known in traditional Chinese, Middle Eastern and Eastern European practice. In modern spas and massage rooms the usual tools are silicone or glass cups and electric devices with adjustable suction; the old fire-based methods are practically never seen in contemporary studios.
A session begins with preparation: the skin is cleaned and generously oiled so the cup can glide freely. The therapist then applies the cup, creates a modest vacuum, and moves it slowly along set pathways - down the back, along the flanks, over the hips or thighs. This dynamic version is called gliding cupping massage, and it is the most common form. Less often, cups are left stationary in one spot for a few minutes; the effect is then more localised and leaves the characteristic round mark. The sensation is usually unfamiliar: pulling, warm, occasionally a little sharp. It should not be painful.
People most often choose vacuum massage for tension in the back and shoulders, as part of an anti-cellulite programme, after athletic training, or simply because they enjoy the unusual, deep sensation. Many describe a wave of warmth afterwards, an easier range of movement, and a pleasant sense of release. At the same time it is fair to say that the evidence base for long-term effects is limited, and claims that cupping treats diseases are not well founded. Treat it as a wellbeing and muscle-relaxation procedure.
Be prepared for round pink or bluish marks on the skin afterwards. They are characteristic of the method and usually fade within a few days to a week, but that does mean booking vacuum massage immediately before a wedding, a beach holiday or a photo shoot is not the best plan. A session normally runs 20-40 minutes for a single area; working a broader region or combining it with classic massage brings the total to 45-60 minutes. A course is typically 6-10 sessions with at least a few days between them.
The list of contraindications is substantial. Vacuum massage is unsuitable with varicose veins and thrombosis, bleeding or clotting disorders or while taking blood thinners, with thin and easily damaged skin, over broken skin, rashes, or flare-ups of eczema or psoriasis, with acute inflammation or fever, during pregnancy, with significant cardiovascular disease, with kidney stones, and with an oncological diagnosis. Cups are never applied directly over the spine, over moles, over the thyroid area, or over the projection of large blood vessels. If you live with a chronic condition, check with your doctor before booking.
A practical closing tip: for a first session, ask for lower suction and a shorter treatment - that tells you how readily your skin marks. Afterwards, drink some water, skip the hot sauna and strong sun for the rest of the day, and keep an eye on your skin over the following days. If the marks are very pronounced or tender, the intensity should be reduced next time.