Cupping Therapy
A Powerful Alternative to Massage for Releasing Tight Muscles.
Cupping Therapy In Bedford
At The Body Sage Clinic in Bedford, we use myofascial cupping therapy to reduce muscle tension, improve movement, and relieve pain. It can be booked as a standalone treatment or used as a technique within Injury Therapy, Injury Therapy Plus, and Sports Performance Therapy, depending on what your body needs.
Cupping works by creating controlled suction on the skin, lifting the underlying muscle and fascial layers. This mechanical effect helps reduce tissue stiffness, improve local circulation, and restore movement in areas that feel tight, restricted, or stubbornly unresponsive to massage alone.
It’s a practical, anatomy-led technique. No rituals. No traditional frameworks. Just a physical tool applied with clinical reasoning to produce real change in tissue behaviour.
If you’re looking for cupping therapy in Bedford, our therapists will use it where it makes sense, and avoid it where it doesn’t.
What is Cupping Therapy?
Cupping therapy is a hands-on myofascial technique used to treat short, tight muscles and restricted fascia.
At The Body Sage Clinic, we use dry myofascial cupping, sometimes simply referred to as “cupping”. Suction cups are applied to the skin to gently lift and separate tissue layers. This can help:
- Reduce muscle tone and guarding
Improve range of motion. - Ease persistent tightness and discomfort.
- Support recovery when massage alone isn’t enough
Cupping can be particularly effective where tissues feel dense, immobile, or resistant to deeper pressure. For some clients, it works as an excellent alternative to massage. For others, it’s most effective when combined with manual therapy, stretching, and mobility work.
When used to lengthen short or overactive muscles, results can be fast and noticeable, especially when followed by appropriate movement or exercise.
How We Use Cupping at The Body Sage Clinic
Cupping may be:
- Booked as a standalone Cupping Therapy appointment, or
- Used as part of Injury Therapy, Injury Therapy Plus, or Sports Performance Therapy.
If your issue is more complex, long-standing, or linked to injury or performance goals, we may recommend one of those therapy options instead. If you’re unsure, choose the option that feels closest, we’ll guide the rest.
Techniques We Use
We primarily use two dry cupping techniques:
- Static cupping, where the cups are placed over an affected area and left in position for several minutes to allow the tissue to decompress and settle.
- Moving (gliding) cupping, where the cup is gently moved along or across the muscle or fascial tissue to improve tissue glide and reduce restriction.
The technique used will depend on the area being treated, the condition involved, and your comfort level. A small amount of lotion is used to improve the seal and allow controlled movement of the cup.
IS THIS THE RIGHT TREATMENT FOR YOU?
FAQs
Still have questions? Call us for a quick chat.
Is this the same as Hijama or wet cupping?
No. Hijama (wet cupping) involves making small cuts in the skin to draw blood. We do not offer this. Our approach is dry myofascial cupping, which does not break the skin and is used purely for musculoskeletal treatment.
Is this traditional Chinese cupping?
No. While cupping has historical roots in many cultures, our use is entirely clinical and mechanical. We apply cupping based on anatomy, tissue response, and movement restriction, not traditional or energetic models.
Does cupping hurt?
It shouldn’t. You’ll feel a firm pulling or lifting sensation, but it should remain comfortable. Pressure is always adjustable.
Will cupping leave marks?
It can. Temporary circular marks are common and harmless. They are not impact bruises and are usually painless. How much marking occurs varies between individuals and usually fades within a few days.
Is this the same as Fire Cupping?
The effects are similar, but the method is different. Fire cupping uses a flame to create the suction inside glass cups, while we use modern silicone or vacuum cups to safely control the pressure without heat or risk of burns.
I’ve seen athletes with circular marks, is this the same thing?
Yes. Those marks are from dry cupping, the same technique we use.
How long do the marks last?
This varies by person and application intensity, but they typically fade faster than impact bruises.
Can cupping improve flexibility and range of motion?
Yes. By reducing tissue stiffness and improving glide between layers, many people notice immediate improvements in movement.
Is there evidence supporting cupping therapy?
Research is ongoing, but there is growing support for cupping as a tool for reducing pain, muscle tension, and movement restriction. We use it as part of an evidence-informed, outcome-focused approach, not as a standalone cure.
Is cupping pseudoscience?
No, not as we use it. While traditional explanations vary, the mechanical effects of suction on soft tissue are well understood. At this clinic, cupping is a practical tool used to influence muscle and fascial behaviour, nothing more and nothing less.
Does body hair affect cupping?
Yes. Heavy body hair can make it difficult to achieve a good seal. In some cases, cupping may be limited or avoided in very hairy areas.
Meet Your Sports Performance Therapists
Trevor Hardwick – Founder & Lead Therapist
Trevor is the founder of The Body Sage Clinic and has over 15 years’ experience as a therapist, alongside a long-standing background in health and fitness. His approach is practical, hands-on, and grounded in evidence, with a focus on understanding why pain or dysfunction is present rather than simply treating symptoms. Trevor specialises in Injury Therapy, Cupping Therapy, and Dry Needling Acupuncture, and works with both acute injuries and more persistent, unresolved issues. While he continues to treat clients, he now also oversees the clinical direction and day-to-day running of the clinic.
Therapies: Injury Therapy, Sports Performance Therapy, Cupping and Acupuncture.
Eli Nselala - MSK Specialist
Eli holds a BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation and works with both athletes and non-athletes to support recovery, performance, and rehabilitation. His style is hands-on and practical, combining manual therapy with a strong understanding of musculoskeletal function and rehab principles. Eli uses a wide range of tools and techniques, including deep tissue massage, IASTM, and rehabilitation-based approaches, and enjoys working with complex injuries as well as helping active people stay resilient and performing at their best.
Therapies: Injury Therapy, Injury Therapy Plus, Cupping, and Sports Performance Therapy.
