Services
Cupping
Cupping places warm glass or silicone cups on the back or shoulders. The cups pull gently on the skin and the muscle under it, and stay for a few minutes. It is often added to an acupuncture visit.
Who usually comes in
People with tight shoulders and upper backs, often after hours at a desk or behind a wheel. Some come because a relative has used cupping for years.
What a visit is like, in order
Afterward you may feel loose, or lightly sore where the cups were. Round marks can last several days.
- 01
Step 1: We talk
Your acupuncturist asks about your skin, your medicines and any bruising, and tells you what to expect.
- 02
Step 2: The cups go on
Cups are placed on the draped back and left for about five to ten minutes. You feel a firm pull, and can say if it is too much.
- 03
Step 3: They come off
We lift each cup and check the skin. Faint round marks can show, and they fade over a few days.
- 04
Step 4: You rest
You dress slowly. We suggest a glass of water and a quiet evening.
Tell us first
Say any of these when you book, and again at the visit.
Pregnancy
If you are or might be pregnant, some points are avoided and your acupuncturist explains the risks.
Blood thinners or bleeding
If you take a blood thinner or bleed easily, bruising is more likely.
A pacemaker or implant
Some visits use a small electrical current on the needles, which is not suitable with a pacemaker.
Lymph nodes removed
If you have had lymph nodes removed, we avoid needles on that side.
Worry about needles
Say so. We can begin with other methods or go very slowly.
Sunburn or broken skin
We do not place cups on skin that is burned, cut, rashy or still recovering.
How many visits, and what this does not do
Cupping is usually part of an acupuncture visit and is not needed every time. Your acupuncturist suggests how often, and you can skip it whenever you like.
What it does not do
Cupping does not replace your doctor's care, and we do not promise a result. Marks are expected and fade, but tell us if a mark is painful or does not fade.
When to see a doctor instead
See your doctor or an urgent care center first for chest pain, trouble breathing, sudden weakness or numbness, a sudden severe headache, or a fever with a stiff neck. In an emergency, call 911.