Cupping therapy can generally be described as a technique that uses cups placed over the skin to create negative pressure through suction. Cupping therapy dates back to ancient times and was used around the world. According to traditional Chinese medicine, cupping helps remove stagnation and stimulate the flow of qi (chi). Qi is the free flow of vital energy circulating through the body and the world around us, if the qi is disrupted or disturbed, it can create stagnation (blockages) or imbalances in the body.

The use of cupping from a massage therapy perspective can help resolve chronic muscle tightness and pain, often faster than massage therapy alone as the negative pressure helps pull the knots in your muscles up, creating better circulation and blood flow. Increasing circulation with cupping also helps to reduce the appearance of cellulite as well as reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks.

Cupping may cause temporary markings depending upon the degree of suction created by the vacuum and the level of internal stagnation. According to TCM, this is actually be a favorable outcome, suggesting the treatment has successfully brought up waste materials and stagnation. 

Here at the studio I can incorporate cupping therapy into your Integrative Bodywork session and may use both a static method (leaving the cups on for a certain amount of time), a sliding cupping massage method, or ideally a combination of all.

Cupping may not be for everyone and we can discuss during your intake whether it would be beneficial for you or not. For example, if you are taking blood thinners this technique would not be good for you; or if you are going to a wedding in a backless dress!

Facial cupping

This particular type of facial cupping uses a different type of cup and will not leave marks, it will however, bring about a nice rosy glow to the skin. Facial cupping can be wonderful for moving lymph and helpful if you have sinus and lymph drainage issues. The facial cupping also stimulates the production of collagen and if done on a regular basis may even be able to reduce or smooth out certain wrinkles. Facial cupping can also be highly effective for TMJ-Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. If you have had a botox injection in the face we would need to wait for at least 30 days. Cupping also does not work well over facial hair.