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Sports Massage
Targeted work for active bodies — prepares muscles for training and supports recovery after it.
60 / 90 min · From 550,000 ₫
Services
Cupping Therapy in Da Nang
Gentle suction that lifts rather than presses — a different way to approach tight, stubborn muscles.
Pressure: Medium
At a glance
- What it is
- Modern suction cupping with silicone, plastic or glass cups, using static and sliding techniques on the back, shoulders and legs. Often combined with massage.
- Best for
- Runners and cyclists with tight hamstrings, calves or the outer thigh (IT band region) · Gym members who carry tension in the upper back, shoulders and lats after training · Desk workers and digital nomads with stiffness between the shoulder blades
- Pressure
- Medium
- Sessions
- 30′ – 300,000 ₫ · 60′ – 550,000 ₫
- Where & when
- Adella Spa, Da Nang · Daily 09:00–20:00
Most massage works by pressing down into the muscle. Cupping does the opposite: a cup placed on the skin creates negative pressure that lifts the skin, connective tissue and fascia away from the muscle beneath. Many people describe the sensation as a deep, pulling stretch — unusual at first, and surprisingly pleasant once you settle into it.
Our Cupping Therapy in Da Nang uses modern cups — silicone, plastic pump-style or glass — so the suction can be adjusted precisely to your comfort. Your therapist may leave cups in place (static cupping) or glide them across oiled skin (sliding cupping), usually over the upper back, shoulders, hamstrings and calves, where runners, gym-goers and travellers tend to feel the most tension.
Cupping is most often used alongside hands-on work such as sports massage rather than on its own. It is a wellness and recovery practice, not a medical treatment, and it is not a substitute for advice from a doctor or physiotherapist.
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The technique
How modern cupping works
Each cup is applied to the skin and the air inside is reduced — by squeezing a silicone cup, using a hand pump on a plastic cup, or compressing a glass cup with a rubber bulb. This creates negative pressure, which draws the skin and superficial fascia up into the cup. The effect is a decompression of the tissue layers rather than the compression you get from thumbs, palms or elbows.
Static cupping means the cups stay in one place for a short time, typically over broad, dense areas such as the trapezius, rhomboids or erector spinae alongside the spine. Sliding (moving) cupping uses massage oil so the therapist can glide a cup along the length of a muscle — for example up the hamstrings or across the upper back — combining suction with a stroking, myofascial-style movement.
Suction strength is adjustable and is set according to your feedback. Light suction feels like a gentle pull; stronger suction gives a more intense, tight sensation that should never be sharply painful. Your therapist will check in during the session and release or reposition a cup at any time you ask.
Many people find that lifting the tissue in this way leaves an area feeling looser and warmer, and that it makes the muscle easier to work with massage afterwards. Research on cupping is still limited and mixed, so we describe it honestly: a traditionally used, generally comfortable technique that many clients enjoy as part of their recovery routine.
Who it is for
- Runners and cyclists with tight hamstrings, calves or the outer thigh (IT band region)
- Gym members who carry tension in the upper back, shoulders and lats after training
- Desk workers and digital nomads with stiffness between the shoulder blades
- Travellers who feel tight after long flights, bus rides or days carrying a backpack
- People who find very firm massage pressure uncomfortable but still want deep-feeling work
- Anyone curious to try cupping in a calm, professional setting with clear explanations
Target muscle areas
- Upper back and trapezius
- The upper trapezius runs from the base of the skull to the shoulder and often feels tight from screen work, stress and overhead lifting. Static or sliding cups suit this broad, flat muscle well.
- Rhomboids (between the shoulder blades)
- The rhomboids connect the spine to the inner edge of each shoulder blade. Rounded-shoulder posture keeps them under constant strain, and gentle cupping here is a popular choice.
- Erector spinae (along the spine)
- These long muscles run either side of the spine and help keep you upright. Cups are placed on the muscle beside the spine — never directly on the bony spinous processes.
- Shoulders and latissimus dorsi
- The back of the shoulder and the broad lats down the side of the back work hard in swimming, climbing, pulling exercises and racket sports.
- Hamstrings
- The three hamstring muscles at the back of the thigh respond well to sliding cupping, which can follow the length of the muscle from the sitting bone towards the knee.
- Calves
- The gastrocnemius and soleus take a lot of load in running and walking. Suction is kept lighter here and cups are kept away from any visible veins.
- Outer thigh / IT band region
- The iliotibial band is a thick band of fascia rather than a muscle, so it does not really stretch. Gentle sliding cups are used along the surrounding tissue, including the outer quadriceps, rather than aggressively on the band itself.
What to expect
- 01
Arrival and consultation
Your therapist asks about your activity, areas of tension, health conditions and any medication — especially blood thinners. Tell us if you have an event, a beach day or photos coming up, as marks may be visible for a while.
- 02
Explaining the plan
We explain which cups will be used, where, and whether static or sliding cupping suits you. You decide whether to combine cupping with massage and how strong the suction should feel.
- 03
Warm-up massage
In most sessions the area is first warmed with hands-on massage and a light oil, so the tissue is relaxed before any cups are applied.
- 04
Cupping
Cups are applied and either left in place for a short time or glided along the muscle. The suction should feel strong but never sharply painful — say so at any time and it will be adjusted.
- 05
Finishing work
After the cups are removed, the therapist usually finishes with gentle massage strokes over the treated areas to settle the tissue.
- 06
After your session
Take a moment before getting up, drink some water, and ask any questions about the marks or aftercare. Some people feel light and relaxed; others feel mild tenderness, similar to after a workout.
Cupping vs massage — and how they work together
The key difference is direction of force. Massage compresses tissue: relaxation massage uses flowing strokes at light to medium pressure, deep tissue massage uses slow, firm pressure to reach deeper muscle layers, and sports massage combines targeted pressure with stretching and techniques designed around training and recovery. Cupping decompresses tissue, lifting it with suction instead.
Because of this, cupping can feel intense in a different way from deep tissue work. Some people who dislike very firm pressure find cupping easier to tolerate; others prefer the familiar feel of hands-on massage. Neither is better — they simply give different sensations.
In practice, the two work best together. A typical combination is massage to warm the muscles, cupping on the tightest areas, then massage again to finish. Athletes often add cups to a sports massage, while people who mainly want to unwind may prefer a relaxation-focused session with a few static cups on the upper back. Your therapist can help you choose, and you can see current options on our pricing page.
Session duration & pricing
All prices are per person, in Vietnamese dong (VND), and include a pre-treatment consultation.
| Duration | Price |
|---|---|
| 30 min | 300,000 ₫ |
| 60 min | 550,000 ₫ |
Aftercare
- Drink water as you normally would after exercise or massage, and keep the treated area warm for a few hours.
- Avoid very hot showers, saunas, strong sun exposure and swimming in the sea or pools immediately after the session — give your skin several hours to settle.
- Keep the next training session light if the area feels tender, and wait a day before heavy work on the same muscles.
- Do not scrub, exfoliate or apply strong products to areas with cup marks while they fade.
- If a mark becomes painful, blisters, or you notice anything unusual on the skin, contact a doctor.
Before you book
- Consult your doctor before cupping if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, or take anticoagulant or antiplatelet medication.
- Not suitable during pregnancy without medical approval, and cups are never placed on the abdomen or lower back of pregnant clients.
- Cups are not applied over broken, fragile, sunburnt, irritated or infected skin, open wounds, moles, or varicose veins.
- Please reschedule if you have a fever, feel unwell, or have had recent surgery in the area.
- People with diabetes affecting skin or circulation, or other chronic conditions, should seek medical advice first.
- Cupping is a wellness practice and is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment of any injury or condition.
Massage is not a medical treatment. If you have an injury or medical condition, please consult a doctor first.
Frequently asked questions
Will cupping leave marks?
Usually, yes. Round marks ranging from light pink to dark purple are common. They come from small capillary changes under the suction and typically fade within a few days to around two weeks. The colour is not a sign of toxins being removed, and it does not show how well the session worked. If you need clear skin soon, tell us — we can use lighter suction, sliding cups or avoid visible areas.
Does cupping hurt?
Most people describe it as a strong pulling or tight sensation rather than pain. Suction is adjustable, and your therapist will check in regularly. It should never feel sharp or unbearable — just ask and the cup will be loosened or removed.
Does cupping detox the body?
No. This is a common myth. Cupping marks are caused by changes in tiny blood vessels near the skin, not by toxins being drawn out. We offer cupping as a traditional technique that many people find helps their muscles feel looser and more relaxed.
What is the difference between modern cupping and fire cupping?
Modern cupping creates suction with silicone squeeze cups or a hand pump, so the strength is easy to fine-tune. Traditional fire cupping uses heat briefly inside a glass cup to create the vacuum. You can read more on our fire cupping page.
Can I combine cupping with a sports massage?
Yes, and this is a very common way to use it. Massage warms the muscles first, then cups are added to the tightest areas. Book an appointment and let us know when we call to confirm, so enough time is planned.
How often can I have cupping?
It is best to wait until previous marks have mostly faded before cupping the same area again. Many active people choose it occasionally as part of a recovery routine rather than every week.
Related treatments
- Photo placeholder · service-fire-cupping-therapy
Fire Cupping Therapy
Traditional glass-cup cupping, with suction created by a brief flame inside the cup.
30 / 60 min · From 350,000 ₫ - Photo placeholder · service-muscle-release-therapy
Muscle Release Therapy
Focused trigger-point and myofascial work on the specific areas that feel restricted.
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