Cupping for tight glutes and hips

Tight glutes and hips are the quiet cost of sitting all day and training hard. The glutes spend most of a desk day switched off and compressed, then running, squatting and cycling load them heavily. The result is a deep, dull tightness in the seat and the side of the hip that stretching alone rarely reaches.

The good news: this is the most forgiving area to cup. The glutes are thick, dense muscle, so they take more suction than anywhere else on the body, and there is no bone to work around.

Where to place the cup

Work the thick of the glutes and the muscle on the side of the hip. You can park a cup on a tight spot or glide slowly across the whole area. Stay on the muscle and keep the cup off the tailbone.

• Cup: the big jar
• Level: 4 to 8, higher than you would use on your neck
• Mode: parked on a knot, or gliding with oil across the area
• Time: 3 to 5 minutes per side

If you glide, put down a little oil or lotion first so the cup slides smoothly rather than dragging the skin. For a specific deep spot, park the cup, let the suction hold, and breathe while it works.

Great after leg day

Cupping the glutes and hips after squats or a long run helps the area feel less locked up the next morning. Pair it with your quads and hamstrings for a full lower-body reset.

One caution

If you feel tingling or pain shooting down the back of the leg, stop. That is nerve territory, not muscle tightness, and it is worth a conversation with a clinician.

Reach for the accura Pulse and its 12 levels for the deep areas that need more. See also cupping for lower-back tightness and cupping between the shoulder blades.

accura is a wellness device for everyday muscle recovery, not a medical device. If you are pregnant or managing a health condition, or your pain is sharp, radiating, or does not ease, check with your doctor first.