Reduce the Jiggle: How Cupping May Help Treat Cellulite

Cellulite is the bane of women all over the world – overweight or slim, young or old; it seems that eliminating that orange-peel-skin is next to impossible.

There are lots of expensive creams available that are marketed to reduce cellulite, but most of them are ineffective or have only a temporary effect on the appearance of cellulite.

Of course, improving your diet and exercising regularly should be the first step in getting rid of your cellulite. Reducing excess fat from the body through a healthy lifestyle will also reduce cellulite, and staying hydrated and getting plenty of sleep helps to improve the texture of skin.

Other therapies that are worth trying are cupping and acupressure massage. These are traditional Eastern medical techniques used to treat a wide variety of issues, and there’s evidence they can be helpful in reducing cellulite too.

What is Cellulite?

Cellulite occurs when fat cells are trapped in the layer of connective tissue underneath the skin. This causes the skin surface to dimple and pucker. It’s more noticeable in women because they have thinner connective tissue than men – it’s thought that up to 90% of women suffer from cellulite, regardless of weight or fitness levels.

The buttocks and thighs are the areas most commonly affected by cellulite, but it can occur in any area of the body.

The appearance of cellulite is accentuated on pale skin, and it may be made worse due to hormonal factors, age, genetic factors, poor diet, and smoking.

What is ‘Cupping’ and Acupressure Massage?

Cupping is a traditional medical therapy used in many cultures, in which special cups are suctioned over the skin for a few minutes. This is thought to improve circulation, promote drainage of the lymph nodes to flush toxins, reduce pain and inflammation, and promote relaxation and general wellbeing.

Cupping is a safe therapy as long as it’s administered by a trained therapist in hygienic surroundings with sterile equipment. There are DIY cupping kits available on the internet, which are not recommended. Cupping does bring blood to the surface of the skin, resulting in discolouration similar to a bruise. These marks will usually disappear within a few days to a week.

Acupressure massage has been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. It’s thought that stimulating certain pressure points on the body eliminates energy blockages and can be used to treat a number of health complaints.

Acupressure massage also stimulates blood flow and helps to restore balance in the body. It can be used alone or in combination with cupping or other therapies.

How Do Cupping and Acupressure Help Reduce Cellulite?

Cupping and acupressure massage may help to reduce cellulite in three ways:

• They help to stretch and relax the hardened connective tissue beneath the skin, increasing elasticity and helping reduce the dimpled appearance of cellulite.
• They promote healthy circulation of nutrient-rich blood, rejuvenating the skin and underlying tissues.
• They stimulate the flow of lymph, part of your body’s natural detoxification system. This helps dissipate fluid retention that emphasises the appearance of cellulite.

Some studies have shown that cupping does help to promote lymph drainage and results in a measurable reduction in cellulite with few risks or negative side-effects.

Other Ways to Reduce Cellulite Naturally

If you’re having cupping therapy for cellulite reduction, talk to your therapist about lifestyle changes you can make to assist the process. Some things you can do include:

• Eat a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise aiming to reduce excess fat if you’re overweight.
• Incorporate weight-training exercises to stimulate blood flow in areas affected by cellulite.
• Drink plenty of water to reduce fluid retention and flush out toxins
• Try dry skin brushing in-between treatments to stimulate blood flow, remove dead skin, and improve the texture of your skin.
• Work towards balancing your hormones with natural supplements and therapies.

Got Trouble with persistent cellulite? Contact us today to see whether cupping can help reduce your jiggle.