Cupping Treatments

Cupping is a complimentary modality used alone or in combination with Acupuncture.

Cupping in China is thought to be approximately 3,000 yrs. old. Originally, “cups” were made of animal horns and were used to treat pulmonary tuberculosis and to extract puss from skin eruptions.

Today, cupping is used by many practitioners including Acupuncturists, chiropractors, massage therapists, physical therapists and is used in some families as home remedies for upper respiratory treatment or pain.

Cupping uses suction to encourage blood flow, and to relax muscle and connective tissue, resulting in reduced pain and improved orthopedic function. Cupping also helps to improve the lungs.

Several mechanisms are at work during Cupping therapy. When the cups are suctioning the skin, they are stretching out the myo- fascia which is a very thin but strong layer of connective tissue that surrounds all of the muscles everywhere in the body. The cups also break open tiny capillaries over the affected area of pain resulting in an immune response to the micro-trauma resulting in a cascade of healing chemicals in fresh new blood.  A bruise like mark often results where the cups once were. This old blood is reabsorbed by the body and in a matter of days new capillaries and healthy blood flow is restored to the tissue resulting in reduced pain and increased function.

Cupping is surprisingly comfortable. The most patients feel is a tight squeeze and most report to love the sensation. Even though a mark is usually left on the skin there is usually no soreness that results.