Why You Need To Try Cupping Therapy On The Viking Star

LivNordic Spa.

It’s not everyday you can declare that you’ve been cupped. As a spa service, it’s not initially zen-inducing as it comes with odd sounds (you didn’t know your body could produce) along with the strangest sensations. But if you can get over the mental and physical hurdles, cupping can offer an ocean of benefits.

As a first-timer, cupping was foreign to me until fate decided to intervene and I (accidentally) chose this treatment on a recent Viking Ocean Cruises Homelands Tour with my husband. The unique element with this luxury liner and their respective spa facilities is that their flagship treatment, The Arctic Detox, blends both Eastern and Western techniques.

Close-Up Of Vacuum Cupping Therapy and the style that LivNordic Spa on the Viking Star utilizes. Image courtesy of Getty.

First of all, what is Cupping Therapy?

According to the  National Center for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, the practice stems from an ancient Chinese therapy that aims to reduce or eradicate health problems created by poor blood and energy flow throughout the body. Stevan Drndarevic (Physical Therapist and Spa Manager on board The Viking Star) elaborates: “Therapists target problem areas via a suction (by removing the air inside a glass or silicone cup created by a vacuum). The suction is then rhythmically  moved over the bodies of the muscles. When used in conjunction with massage treatments, the suction movement stimulates lymphatic fluids, blood flow, and is very effective on connective tissue (which helps reduce inflammation and swelling). Cupping is often used to treat chronic ailments such as headaches and musculoskeletal pain.” Sometimes, dry brushing is coupled with this therapy – which is exactly what it sounds like. “After a body exfoliation, we’ll use a brush with firm bristles and ‘sweep the body’. This process cleans dead cells from the surface of the epidermis, clears pores and boosts circulation – which is also useful in counteracting cellulite.” Moreover, in light of the ship’s flameless policy (for passenger safety), the suction method is preferred here. And Drndarevic argues that it won’t detract from the treatment’s effectiveness; compared with the traditional method of cupping (which involves lighting a match inside a cup to create a vacuum, and is quickly applied to the surface of the skin), the silicone cup used to extract air allows for control and precision of suction to varying degrees of intensity. He  adds that the control of pressure also reduces the likelihood of red welts and bruises from forming after the service (although – this cannot always be guaranteed as each body reacts differently).

Traditional cupping involves lighting a match inside a cup to create a vacuum and quickly applied to the surface of the skin. Image courtesy of Getty

Coupled with their roster of services, Viking’s on-board spa philosophy is said to bolster effectiveness of treatments such as cupping. In fact, the LivNordic Spa and Wellness Brand was conceived in 2010 by Raison d’Etre, a Stockholm based company. At sea, their spa operates exclusively on Viking Ocean Cruises ships, whose collaborative efforts began in 2014. Much of the Scandinavian philosophy of wellness, beauty, and health permeates these facilities. Drndarevic explains that the spa is centered around celebrating Nordic culture and heritage – it’s also done to mirror the Homelands sailing itinerary (with port stops that include Sweden, Finland Poland, Estonia, Russia, Denmark and Norway, the company’s home base). “In Scandinavian countries, saunas have held cultural significance for centuries. As it’s long been associated as a haven: a place to rejuvenate, relax, replenish your energy, and eradicate daily stresses.”

A guest enjoys the sauna inside the LivNordic Spa on-board the Viking Star ship.

As a Norwegian-owned cruise line and a Swedish-owned spa, the founder, Torstein Hagen, believes that no other company allows you to experience authentic Scandinavian wellness and its respective culture better than with Viking.

Viking Ocean Cruises is the first cruise-line company in the world to have a Snow Grotto on-board its ship, the Viking Star. It utilizes real snow and is part of the Nordic bathing ritual inside the Viking Star’s LivNordic Spa facilities.

 

Indicative of this is the Nordic Bathing Ritual (available in the spa’s Thermal Suite on-board all of Viking’s ships) which recreates the centuries-old traditions of a sauna experience. Guests are encouraged to exercise a bit of mindfulness by doing the following circuit prior to treatments: a dip into the cold plunge pool or pour cold water over you using a traditional Nordic bucket, heat up in the dry sauna, rest in the snow grotto, and repeat. This alternating between hot and cold temperatures detoxes the body, relaxes tired muscles, and boosts circulation. Essentially – it “preps” the body and allows for more effective application and absorption of treatments. 

Participating in the sauna ritual allows for insight and understanding of what’s considered an integral  part of Scandinavian social and local life - this activity is woven into their cultural fabric. While North Americans perceive the golf course as prime territory to “talk shop” while playing 18 holes; in places such  Finland, Norway, and Sweden, it is not uncommon for anyone (even politicians) to cultivate camaraderie, forge bonds, solidify business deals, and engage in general socialization while sweating it out in a sauna setting.

Why is this a geo-specific and culturally important phenomena in these countries?

“In the sauna – you are just you; there are no hidden agendas, no fake games – no bragging of who has the biggest luxury car, for instance. You’re literally and figuratively, in the nude (although – you are allowed to don a towel around your waist). When you learn to cultivate peace and be at ease with not only yourself, but with those around you, you’ll begin to relax and make more robust connections; it results in the fostering and maintenance of relationships at a higher and more profound state. In the sauna, we are all equals,” explains Drndarevic.

The sauna is one element to the experience, but what about the cupping itself? Does it hurt?

It can vary due to individual levels and tolerance of pain. Many people are frightened off due to perceptions created by viral images of people with purple welts or horror stories where skin has been damaged, punctured, pierced, and or scarred. Yes, staff explain that there can be marks with the silicone. However, as the willing guinea pig, it was not painful for me but it did feel as though my skin was being pulled from my muscles – it caused me to seize up at first – inevitably creating more discomfort, but the therapist offered guidance to quell my trepidation. But yes, at first – it does feel as though you’ve placed a strongly suctioned unit on your body that could rival that of a Dyson.

Viking Star ship.

Does it work and should you try it?

After one session, I felt as though my muscles loosened up; my following gym workout was met with much less strain. But I would ultimately need to try it again with subsequent and recurring visits to see if there are long-term benefits. However, Viking Cruises is an ideal way to get the proverbial feet wet because the most important aspect to any kind of spa treatment (new and/or familiar) is a safe, open and respectful environment. Throughout the experience, staff on the Viking Star were responsive and communicative (it also helps that they’re classified as a fleet of small luxury liners whose emphasis is on offering a 1:2 ratio of guest to staff assistance). Moreover, package services offered are an ideal way to get a primer into more “foreign” treatments such as cupping. There is no definitive answer – but for me, I would definitely return and try it again. Having done many sports and Swedish massages, I felt the results instantaneously.