Cupping is a technique in traditional Chinese medicine that involves placing small cups on the skin to create suction. There are two types:
In dry cupping, your licensed acupuncturist places cups on specific areas of your skin, heating or pumping out the air inside to create a vacuum effect. This process draws the skin into the cup.
Wet cupping is similar but with an additional step. After removing the cups, your licensed acupuncturist creates small incisions on the skin and applies a second round of suction to draw out a small amount of blood. This technique may help drain the body’s toxins.
Cupping therapy is a personalized treatment that may vary depending on your specific health concern or pain condition. Most treatments typically include:
Lisa heats the inside of the cups, usually with a flame or a specialized pump, to create a vacuum or negative pressure.
Once the cups heat up, Lisa places them on the skin. As the air inside cools, it creates a suction effect that draws the skin and underlying tissue upward into the cup.
After allowing the cups to rest in place for a few minutes, Lisa moves them around the treatment area to target specific points.
The suction causes small blood vessels to expand, increasing blood flow to the treated area, which releases muscle tension.
After removal, cupping may leave temporary circular marks or bruises on the skin, which fade within a few days.
Cupping is an effective therapy for many conditions, including:
After an evaluation, Lisa at Shoreline Acupuncture can customize cupping therapy to address your specific health concerns.
Call Shoreline Acupuncture today or schedule an appointment online to learn more about the benefits of cupping therapy.
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