How Cupping Works?

This is a general outline of how the treatment is performed:

Getting ready: The area of where the cups will be placed are usually warmed before the

session to get the muscle ready.

Positioning: Cups are put on certain parts of the body, usually along the channels or in places

where muscles are tight, or have trigger points.

Suction: With the help of a hand pump, the air inside the cup can be removed with varied

levels of suction. With this, the skin and muscles are pulled upward, into the cup being used.

Different sized cups are used for different areas of the body.

Time: The cups can stay on for a few minutes up to 30 minutes, depending on your need.

Removing the cups: Usually, they are taken off very gently, which leaves a mark on the skin

that looks like a bruise. These marks don't cause any problems and go away on their own

after a while.

Potential Benefits of Cupping Therapy

Chronic Inflammation

● Chronic unresolved inflammation responds really well

● Helps to remove stagnant tissue, and supply a new, more effective blood supply

Skin Health & Fascia

● Stimulates hair roots, brings fresh blood to the surface

● Increases temperature of skin via blood circulation and neovascularization

● Increases function of sebaceous/sweat glands allowing the skin to “breathe”

● Increases secretion of sebaceous matter, salts and water

● Increases range of motion relative to fascial restrictions

● Rehydration of fascia to allow for more movement and less pain

Muscles & Joints

● Respond extremely well to the increase of fresh blood to the area

● All joints respond well to cupping

● Effective for chronic joint problems especially when joints seem to respond to

barometric pressure changes (ex. Arthritis)

Spine

● Provides extensive movements of fluid through and around spinal joints

● Helps to decompress spinal joints by moving fresh blood and the increase of fluid into

fascial restricted areas

● Strong suction helps to separate fascia and muscle layers of intercostals without

compressing them

Digestive & Nervous systems, Lungs & Blood

● Use over digestive organs has been known to increase appetite, peristalsis and

stimulate digestive fluids

● Strong sedation effect on sensory nerves; effective for high blood pressure

● Changes the acidity and composition of the blood, challenging the body to recreate

homeostasis

Precautions

● High fever/feeling unwell

● Cramps, spasms

● Skin allergies

● Open wounds/recently healing wounds

● Swelling/edema in the acute stage

● Pregnancy - no cupping over the abdomen

● Hypermobile joints

● Medications

Is Cupping Therapy Right for You?

Choose a Qualified Practitioner

It is very important to make sure that the person performing the cupping therapy is licensed

and experienced for this type of therapy.

Different Experiences

Some people claim to have had good experiences although it is not the same for everyone.

Cupping therapy may not suit you, and it should not be treated as an alternative to

conventional medicine.