Lymphatic Cupping.

Soft silicone or pneumatic cups are placed on oiled skin and moved in directional strokes — toward lymph node chains — to create a negative-pressure lift on the subcutaneous tissue. The mechanism is the inverse of massage: instead of pressing tissue down, cupping pulls it up. This can encourage fluid movement in the subcutaneous layer and is sometimes used to address dense, immobile fluid.

As an adjunct to MLD for areas with dense fibrotic tissue (post-lipo nodules, cellulite), for general detox-adjacent wellness contexts, and for patients who find traditional MLD too subtle. It is not appropriate for acute post-surgical patients, is contraindicated in the first three to four weeks after aesthetic surgery, and should never be performed over bruised or actively swollen tissue.

Traditional stationary cupping leaves circular marks on the skin that can last one to two weeks. Dynamic cupping — the variant used for lymphatic work — is designed to minimize marking, but some visible redness and occasional bruising is normal. Significant marking means either the technique was too aggressive or stationary cupping was used (which is not appropriate for lymphatic protocols).

30 to 60 minutes. Cupping is often combined with manual drainage in the same session, with the manual work preceding the cupping to 'open the pathway' before the cups mobilize the target area. A cupping-only session is less effective than a combined session and should not be the core protocol for post-surgical recovery.

$70 to $130 per session as a standalone; often added to an MLD session for $20 to $50 extra. Cupping certification is less formally regulated than MLD certification, so pricing varies more widely by studio and therapist experience than by credential.

Is this stationary or dynamic cupping? Will there be marking, and how long does it typically last in your sessions? Is cupping appropriate for my specific case, or would MLD alone be better? If I just had surgery, how long until cupping is appropriate?