Cupping
Warm cups on the back and shoulders
Cupping sets glass or silicone cups on the skin of the back and shoulders for a few minutes. The cups lift the skin gently, and people describe a pulling feeling, not a pinch.
Who usually comes
People who carry a lot of tension through the shoulders and upper back, usually in the same visit as acupuncture. We offer cupping only when you ask for it and your acupuncturist thinks it fits.
What a visit is like, in order
- 01
Step 1: We talk
Your acupuncturist asks what you take, where you carry tension and what your doctor has planned.
- 02
Step 2: You get comfortable
You lie face down, covered with a blanket, with only the shoulders and upper back uncovered.
- 03
Step 3: Cups go on
Two to six cups, for about five minutes. Tell us if the pull is too strong and we ease it.
- 04
Step 4: Cups come off
We take them off one at a time and cover your back.
- 05
Step 5: A short plan
We tell you what marks to expect and when to call us.
Tell us first
Tell us first, so we can plan around it
Say so when you book, and again at the visit. None of these means no. They change what we do.
You are pregnant, or might be
We don't place cups on the lower back or abdomen. Tell us, and check with your OB or midwife first.
You take a blood thinner, or bruise easily
Cups can leave darker marks. We may skip cupping.
Your skin is sunburned, broken or irritated
We wait until it has cleared.
You have had lymph nodes removed
We keep cups off the arm and chest wall on that side.
You have a bleeding disorder
We don't use cupping. Ask your doctor first.
You have a procedure coming up
Tell us the date, and ask your clinic whether marks matter for it.
How it ends, and what it does not do
What you may feel afterward
Faint round marks are common and fade in a few days. The skin can feel warm or a little tender. Skip hot showers and sun on the area for the rest of the day.
How many visits people plan for
Most people ask for cupping once or twice and then decide whether it is worth keeping. There is no set number, and results vary.
What it does not do, and when to see a doctor instead
Cupping doesn't replace your doctor's care or any test. If a mark is painful, spreads or doesn't fade, or you feel unwell, call your doctor, or 911 in an emergency.
Book a first visit
Bring the list from your doctor's office. Fees are explained before you book.