The massage oil blend I mention in this video is 3 parts cold-pressed castor oil and one part jojoba oil. Castor oil has anti-inflammatory properties and Jojoba oil is good for the skin. I want to thank Crystal Stoots in Roanoke, Virginia for sharing the formula for this oil blend with me.
For cupping on the back I often use the largest or next to the largest cup. It is fine to work directly over the spine if you are using flexible silicone cups.
Start with moderate suction and work up and down the spine then up and down over the rest of the back. After working up and down move the cups side to side over the back.
Check in with your client about the amount of suction and whether they experience any pain or discomfort. If there is pain or discomfort use less suction and/or move the cups slowly.
If the cups move slowly over an area it will often be an area of discomfort or pain. There often can be discomfort on the lateral sides of the low back, just lateral to the quadratus lumborum. You will find that as you move through these areas the cups will start to move more easily and your client will report less discomfort.
When your client is comfortable with one cup moving over their back you can then work with two cups moving the cups in different directions.
Dr. Mally’s Massage Cupping DVD and massage cups are available at https://massagelibrary.com/product-category/massage-cupping/