Silicone Vs. Plastic Pump Cupping Therapy:
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Self-Care at Home: My Honest Thoughts on Silicone Vs. Pump Cups
Self-care at home? I suggest it to my clients all the time. It’s one of the best ways to keep your body feeling good between workout sessions — and cupping at home? Total game changer when it comes to recovery, mobility, and even just working out those “ugh, I’m tight” moments.
I use these cups for different things — and which one you choose totally depends on what your goals are. You looking to loosen up your quads? Get that gnarly shoulder tension to chill out? Or maybe just keep your recovery game strong between massages? I got you.
I use both silicone and plastic pump cups, and I recommend both to my clients — but for different reasons. Here’s the breakdown and the brands I personally stand by (especially for silicone — I’ve had mine for nearly a decade and they’re still going strong!).
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Heads up: I may earn a small commission if you snag something through these links—no extra cost to you, just helps me keep sharing the good stuff.
A Quick Breakdown: Silicone Cups Vs. Pump Cups
Silicone Cups — My Go-To
✅ Last forever — seriously, I’ve had my Lure brand cups for nearly a decade.
✅ Perfect for the tough areas (I’m looking at you, quads).
✅ Invasive? Maybe in the good way that gets blood flow moving and fascia loosened up.
✅ Great for sliding cupping (think gliding them along muscles to increase mobility).
How to Use Them:
Just squeeze the cup, place it on the area, and let the suction happen. You can leave it static or slide it with some oil (I prefer Coconut Oil...Got a brand I use for that - Click Here). For quads and those “delicious discomfort” areas? Silicone is hands down the winner.
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Plastic Pump Cups — Affordable & Easy to Use
✅ Super beginner-friendly — the hand pump lets you control the suction.
✅ Great for static cupping — pop them on stubborn areas like shoulders or low back and let them sit.
✅ Affordable — you can grab a full set (24 cups!) for around $19.99.
⛔ Downside? If you drop them… they can crack. No crack, no suction.
How to Use Them:
Place the cup where you want it, give the pump a squeeze to create suction, and from there — you’ve got options. You can leave them in place (static cupping) or move the area gently to get even more out of it.
For suction strength, I suggest:
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2 pumps for a good, solid hold — enough to feel it but not overly intense.
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3 pumps if you want to crank it up — but honestly, you really don’t need to go beyond that.
More than 3? You’re basically guaranteeing a legit bruise — and that’s not the goal for your sore muscles. We want to help them recover, not punish them.
Unless you’re on my massage table — then I might get spicy with it… HAHA!
👉 Shop the Plastic Pump Cup Set I Recommend (Affiliate)
Pro Tip — USE OIL! Not lotion.
Especially if you’re planning to slide cup (which, by the way, is amazing for mobility and blood flow). Yes, there is a special massage lotion made for cupping, but it tends to be pricey — and honestly, I’ve never needed it.
Coconut oil? Absolute MVP.
It’s my go-to for both cupping and massage. Smooth glide, soaks right into your skin, no sticky, oily mess… unless you go overboard and slather yourself like a Thanksgiving turkey — then yeah, you’ll feel it.
Quick tip when buying Coconut Oil:
Grab your coconut oil from the baking aisle or wherever the cooking oils live at the store. If you wander over to the skin care section? Same product… sometimes 10x the price. Seriously. Bonkers.
I also prefer unrefined coconut oil. Has a better glide than refined, but unrefined will have that good ol' coconut oil smell...if you don't want that, refined is the way to go.
And yep — I’ve got a brand for ya as well!
👉 Shop Coconut Oil (Affiliate) - This will legit last you for a very long time!
Oh, and let's talk about the marks...because they will happen.
Oh, and let’s talk about the marks… because they will happen.
First of all — they are not bruises. I repeat: not bruises.
Think of them more like… hickeys for your muscles (yep, I said it). They happen because the suction pulls blood to the surface, especially if that area was tight or cranky to begin with. It’s part of the process.
The marks can look different depending on your body:
✔ Darker marks? That area was holding a lot of tension or restriction.
✔ Lighter or no marks? Cool, your tissue’s probably moving better there.
✔ Uneven marks? Totally normal — your body isn’t symmetrical, so your marks won’t be either.
Important: The marks aren’t “toxins coming out.” That’s old-school nonsense. What’s actually happening is increased circulation and tissue response. It can help with mobility, soreness, and overall recovery — but it’s not detoxing your body. Your liver and kidneys handle that part, promise.
If you’re cupping at home, ease into it. Start with lighter suction, see how your body responds, and don’t overdo it. If you look like a leopard the next day and your muscles are tender to the touch… the cups were on too tight. Been there, done that — let’s avoid it unless you’re getting a full-on treatment from me. HA HA HAA.
ALSO… PLEASE DO NOT CUP OVER OLD CUPPING MARKS.
Let’s say you hit a good cupping session Monday… and by Friday you still have those tell-tale cup marks.
Whatever you do — don’t go back over them just yet.
Why? Here’s the deal:
Those marks mean your tissue is still in “repair mode.” When you cup, you create little micro-trauma under the skin — totally normal, that’s part of how it helps stimulate blood flow and tissue response. But your body needs time to clear that out and rebuild.
Think of it like a workout — you wouldn’t smash a super sore muscle the day after heavy lifting (well, you shouldn’t). Same thing here. Cupping over marks before they’ve faded can:
✔ Slow down your recovery
✔ Irritate the tissue
✔ Potentially cause real bruising or damage
✔ Basically undo the good stuff you were trying to do in the first place
Golden rule:
Wait for the marks to fade — usually about a week, sometimes longer if they were dark. Then you’re good to go again.
Take care of your muscles. They work hard for you — don’t beat ‘em up twice in a row.
Final Thoughts
At the end of the day, it’s not about one being better than the other — it’s about using the right tool for the job.
Silicone cups? My go-to for quads, calves, or those areas where you need that deep, delicious discomfort (you know the feeling). If you have a partner, they can slide cup your back. They’re durable, easy to clean, and honestly, they a long time. I’ve had mine for nearly a decade — no joke.
Pump cups? Awesome for static work, upper body, or spots where you want solid suction without the fight of squeezing a silicone cup into place. Plus, you can’t beat the price point for getting started.
A few reminders to keep your cupping game strong:
✔ Use oil — not lotion (coconut oil for the win).
✔ Clean your cups — especially if you're sharing.
✔ Respect the marks — let your body recover.
✔ Start slow — you don’t need max suction to get results.
Cupping isn’t magic. Sometimes it feels like that though. But done right? It can absolutely help with muscle recovery, mobility, and even that self-care ritual your body probably needs more of.
And hey, if you're curious — I’ve linked the exact cups I use and suggest for clients below. Shopping made easy!
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Don't Forget Your Oil!
👉 Shop Coconut Oil (Affiliate) - This will legit last you for a very long time!
Heads up: I may earn a small commission if you snag something through these links—no extra cost to you, just helps me keep sharing the good stuff.
