05/15/2023
There was a post in a large Facebook group by a therapist asking if it's okay to cup a pregnant client. The amount of therapists that said pregnancy is a contraindication is shocking.
The idea that cupping is any different than massage therapy in relation to pregnancy is probably wrong. I must say, that there are some real cautions with treating a risky pregnancy. Or a pregnancy that is complicated by other health concerns. And if you are a newer therapist, then It makes sense that you would choose not to treat. But pathologizing pregnancy does no one any good.
There are no effects to the lymphatic system from cupping or massage that are not present when going through daily life. Last I looked, most pregnant women are allowed to exercise, and exercise - the rhythmic contraction of the skeletal muscles - helps drive lymph capacity. Otherwise, there is no danger, cupping does not increase the amount of metabolites or anything else that is in the tissue already, so there cannot be danger of harm from there. More lymphatic fluid coming to the circulatory system is not a danger to the expectant mother unless there is another pathology happening. The body has a great capacity to filter out waste, I have never read a study that says this is dangerous (unless it is - if there are other health conditions).
Stagnant blood is a Chinese Medicine technical term, and unless you can define it, don't use it. We do not have the same idea in Western physiology, so please don't make a client believe their blood is not circulating. It is not helpful and makes the profession sound bad.
It is possible for a pregnant woman to have more blood clots. Absolutely. And she will be under care if that happens. Apply cupping with techniques that don't bruise her and you will be fine. Again, this is no different than exercise. Or just being alive. If a woman who is pregnant hits her shin on a coffee table, do you lobby to remove coffee tables in case she bruises? Of course not, yet that is exactly what this argument is. Let's do better. Let's question our teachers. Let's read some research instead of making wild claims....
