To use a cupping massager, charge it, pick a cup, place it on clean skin, start on a low level and leave it for 30 to 60 seconds before deciding if you want more. Press the release button before you lift it off. A first session usually takes about ten minutes.
That is the short version. Here is the same thing slowly, with the little details that make the first go easier.
Before you start
- Charge it with the USB-C cable. It works cordless, so there is nothing to plug in while you use it.
- Pick somewhere comfortable. A couch with a towel under you works well.
- Check the skin you plan to use it on is intact, dry and free of sunscreen or heavy lotion (unless you are gliding, see below).
- Read the safety guide if you have not already.
Step by step: your first session
- Choose a cup. The large cup suits the back and legs. The small cup suits the neck and arms. Twist it onto the device until it sits snug.
- Pick rhythmic cupping. It is the easier mode to start with, because the cup stays put.
- Start on a low level and low warmth. There are 12 levels. Level 2 is a sensible first try.
- Place the cup flat. Most people try their shoulders first. The cup sits flat there and you can reach without twisting. The remote lets you change levels without reaching back for the device.
- Wait 30 to 60 seconds. Notice how it feels. Go up one level at a time if you want a firmer pull.
- Press the release button. Always do this before lifting. The cup then lets go gently. Never pull it off.
- Move to a new spot. Give each area a few minutes at most.
Rhythmic or gliding?
Rhythmic cupping pulses, with suction that rises and falls. Rest it in one place.
Continuous gliding holds steady suction. You use it with body oil, or on well moisturised skin, and keep the cup moving in slow lines. If the cup stops sliding, lower the level or add a little more oil. Our guide to oils for cupping massage covers what to reach for.
The textured gliding cup, with its soft nodes, is the one made for this mode.
Settings at a glance
| Where | Cup | Mode | Starting point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upper back and shoulders | Large | Rhythmic | Level 2, low warmth |
| Legs | Large | Rhythmic or gliding | Level 2, with oil if gliding |
| Arms | Small | Rhythmic | Level 1 or 2 |
| Back of the neck | Small | Rhythmic | Level 1, short time |
These are starting points, not rules. If you are unsure, go lower.
Try it at home
Two modes, 12 levels and a remote, so your first session is easy to get right. Free shipping Australia-wide, 14-day refund.
Shop the RHYTIA massagerHow long and how often
About ten minutes is plenty. The RHYTIA massager switches itself off after 20 minutes, so you cannot leave it running by accident.
Give the same spot a day or two before you use the cup there again. Many people settle into a rhythm of a few evenings a week and rotate areas.
After your session
- Wipe any oil off your skin and the cup with a soft dry cloth.
- Wait about 45 minutes before a shower.
- Light pink marks are normal and fade on their own. See cupping marks explained.
- Clean and store the device using our care guide.
A simple ten-minute routine
If you want something to follow, try this the first few times.
- Minute 0 to 1: set up the towel, choose the large cup, check the charge.
- Minute 1 to 4: one shoulder, rhythmic mode, level 2.
- Minute 4 to 7: other shoulder, same level.
- Minute 7 to 10: switch to the textured cup with oil, gliding mode, slow lines on a thigh or calf.
That is a full session. There is no need to cover your whole body in one go.
Common first-timer mistakes
- Starting too high. The levels go up quickly in feel. Begin at 1 or 2.
- Pulling the cup off. Always use the release button.
- Leaving it in one spot too long. A minute or two is plenty on a new area.
- Gliding with no oil. The cup will stick instead of slide. Add oil or moisturise.
- Using it over clothes. The cup needs bare skin to seal.
- Going again on the same spot the next day. Leave a day or two.
Common questions
What level should I start on?
Level 2 on low warmth is a good first try. Stay there for a minute, then go up only if you want to.
Can I use a cupping massager every day?
The manual suggests leaving the same spot a day or two before cupping it again. You can use it daily if you rotate areas and keep the levels low.
Do I need oil?
Only for gliding mode. Rhythmic mode is used on clean, dry skin.
Can I use it through clothes?
No. Use it on bare skin so the cup can seal properly.
The cup will not release. What do I do?
Press the release button and wait a moment. Do not pull or twist the cup off skin.
RHYTIA is a massager for general relaxation and comfort. It is not a medical device and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition.