Cupping is both an ancient and modern technique which comes to us from Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Its therapeutic purpose is to increase blood circulation to the area where the cups are placed. This acts to relieve muscle tension, improve overall blood flow and promote cell repair. It may also help to drain old by products from the tissues and muscles leading to a reduction is scar tissue ,adhesions and therefore a reduction in pain. Once the tissues are dredged and loosened the body can form new connective tissue and increase function with better blood flow and more oxygen rich blood.

According to the research cupping may remove toxins by stimulating the immune response, both locally and systemically.

It may also eliminate uric acid, a natural waste product from the digestion of certain foods. Uric acid buildup can lead to high levels of acidity in the blood and urine.

Cupping also has a positive effect on the lymphatic system, which is partially responsible for eliminating your body’s waste.

When the flow of lymph is interrupted, it can cause fluid buildup and prevent the body from properly eliminating toxins. Cupping can also increase the flow of lymph and prevent fluid buildup.

Dry Cupping

Dry cupping is where the cups are placed on the skin on muscles and focal points of connective tissue. By way of suction and or movement we encourage these therapeutic actions. With dry or static cupping, the cup is kept in place for a set time, usually between 10 and 15 minutes. The cups used are typically silicone or suction, and wee can do multiple areas of the body to build up to a 30-60min treatment time.

Wet Cupping

Wet cupping is a little bit different where we actually puncture the skin before placing the cup on the skin. This way the blood is not only brought to the surface to be cleansed out of the body. It is actually withdrawn from the body through the skin through tiny punctures made by a lancet. Once the cup has drained the old blood we remove this, and the tiny punctures typically heal over quickly once the suction is removed. With wet cupping, the practitioner makes a series of small pricks to draw blood before intentionally pulling stagnant blood out of the incision with the suction of the cup.

Fire Cupping

Fire cupping is the use of glass cups suctioned out by fire. Typically it is what people think of when they think of cupping. It is best used for shorter cupping session and either a technique of quick poping or shortest time in an area is how this type of cupping is best used. It is pretty good to move the blood, great for a nice light back treatment, but not quite deep enough to treat aches and pains conditions as the other types of cups are better suited for this.

Moving or slide cupping usually involves the application of oil before the use of suction, any of the cups can be used but typically the suction and or the silicone cups work best. Then the cups are slowly moved around the area, creating a massage-like effect. Depending on the kind of service you’re receiving, your session could last anywhere from 30-60min or more.

Note:

Any discoloration or marks from cupping usually go away within 7 days of the session.