Usage precautions.
Cupping is a gentle wellness tool, but one that calls for a few precautions. Read carefully before your first session — and in case of any medical doubt, always consult a health professional.
Navigate at your own pace.
Foreword.
Uplife cups are wellness devices. Their use is a matter of personal care, in the lineage of the traditional tools of Chinese medicine (báguàn).
Important — In case of a chronic condition, ongoing medical treatment, or doubt about your state of health, consult your doctor before your first session. This document does not replace personalised medical advice.
Contraindications.
The use of cupping is contraindicated in the following situations:
- Coagulation disorders — haemophilia, anticoagulant treatment (Sintrom, Préviscan, Eliquis, Xarelto, etc.), taking aspirin as a blood thinner
- Severe anaemia
- Severe heart failure or pacemaker (cardiology opinion required)
- Active cancer, particularly on or near the tumour area
- Acute infectious diseases with a fever above 38.5°C
- Open wounds, burns, active eczema, psoriasis flare-up on the application area
- Deep vein thrombosis, marked varicose veins on the area
- Extreme bone fragility (severe osteoporosis)
- Recent placement of a medical device under the skin (pacemaker, port-a-cath, defibrillator)
Pregnancy.
Using cupping during pregnancy is possible, but with strict rules:
- First trimester — abstention recommended, unless directed by a practitioner qualified in TCM
- Second and third trimesters — use possible on the shoulders, neck, upper back areas only
- Areas strictly forbidden throughout pregnancy — lower back, sacrum, abdomen, inner thighs, legs (risk of stimulating uterine points in TCM)
- Suction always gentle (maximum 2 pumps), duration 5 minutes maximum
Breastfeeding — use possible with no particular restriction on the back and shoulders. Avoid the breast area.
Children & teenagers.
The use of cupping on children is not advised before age 12. Between 12 and 16, use is possible under adult supervision with:
- Very gentle suction (1 pump maximum)
- Duration limited to 3 minutes
- Areas limited to the back and shoulders
- Immediate monitoring of the skin (excessive redness, discomfort)
From age 16, use becomes comparable to that of an adult, with continued vigilance during the first sessions.
Sensitive & reactive skin.
Cups create a suction that can, on thin or reactive skin, cause more pronounced marks (purplish bruising). It is a sought-after effect in traditional TCM, but one that can surprise in modern practice.
To minimise the marks:
- Gentler suction (1 to 2 pumps instead of 3)
- Reduced duration (5 minutes instead of 10)
The marks fade naturally within 3 to 7 days depending on the skin. They are not pathological.
Areas to avoid.
Whatever your situation, certain areas of the body must always be avoided:
- The face (except specific cosmetic cups, not included in the kit)
- The eyes and the immediately periocular area
- The throat and the neck vessels (carotids)
- The breasts (nipples and areolae)
- The genitals
- Areas tattooed less than 6 months ago
- Moles, suspicious pigment spots
- Any area with a wound, a skin infection or acute inflammation
Duration & frequency.
| Profile | Duration per area | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Beginner | 3 to 5 minutes | 1 to 2 times a week |
| Intermediate | 5 to 10 minutes | 2 to 3 times a week |
| Regular practice | 10 to 15 minutes | 3 to 4 times a week |
| Recommended maximum | 15 minutes per area | once a day, never twice on the same area |
Beyond 15 minutes, the benefit is no longer greater, and the risks of significant marks or discomfort increase.
After the session.
In the 24 hours following a session:
- Avoid — very hot baths, sauna, steam room, prolonged sun exposure on the marks
- Avoid — intense physical exertion, high-intensity sport sessions
- Avoid — excessive alcohol consumption, very heavy meals
- Favour — plentiful hydration (1.5 to 2 litres of water)
- Favour — rest, gentle warmth on the treated areas (blanket, warm clothing)
- Favour — light meals, fruit, vegetables, soups
When to consult?
Consult a health professional without delay if:
- Sharp pain persists more than 48h after the session
- You feel dizziness, nausea or faintness during or after the session
- You develop a fever within 24h of the session
If in doubt, never hesitate to stop the practice and consult. Wellness is not won in a hurry, and medical advice is always preferable to a risk taken lightly.