Cupping Therapy

What is cupping?

Cupping, or better known in China as Ba Guan Zi, is the creation of a partial vacuum over the skin, by lighting a cotton ball moistened with rubbing alcohol, and inserting it into the glass cup. The cup is applied to the skin and the pressure in the cup is reduced by either change in heat or suctioning out air, so the skin and superficial muscle layer is drawn into and held inside the cup. The treatment has some relation to certain massage techniques. 

The suction releases stagnation in soft tissues, can drain excess metabolic fluids and toxins, loosen adhesions and lift the connective tissue all while bringing flow back to the area. 

Cupping may be used for the treatment of headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhea, asthma, common colds, and even dysmenorrhea (painful periods). Note that there will always be a response from your skin, so be sure to check with your acupuncturist about proper aftercare.

There are many different types of cupping: Fire glass, plastic, rubber/silicone, pottery and even bamboo!

There are additional techniques of cupping including sliding cupping, flash cupping, wet cupping, and dry cupping.