Services
Cupping
In cupping, small glass or plastic cups are set on the skin of the back or shoulders and held there by gentle suction for a few minutes. Your acupuncturist may use it on its own or with acupuncture.
Who usually comes in
People who carry tension across the upper back and shoulders, or who sit or lift for a living, often ask for it. It is always your choice, and you can have acupuncture without it.
What a visit is like, in order
Light round marks are common and usually fade in several days. The skin can feel tender, and you may feel relaxed or tired.
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Step 1: We talk
Your acupuncturist asks where you hold tension, what you take and whether you have had cupping before.
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Step 2: You get comfortable
You lie face down, with your back uncovered and the rest of you draped.
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Step 3: The cups go on
Cups are set and held for about five to ten minutes. The pull feels like a firm tug, and we adjust it when you ask.
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Step 4: The cups come off
We take them off one at a time, check the skin and tell you what to expect over the next few days.
Tell us first
Say any of these when you book, and again at the visit.
Blood thinners or bleeding
If you take a blood thinner or bruise easily, marks are darker and last longer.
Skin that is sunburned or broken
We do not place cups on skin that is sunburned, cut or irritated.
Pregnancy
If you are or might be pregnant, we avoid cupping on the lower back and belly.
Sensitive skin
If your skin marks easily, we use a lighter pull or a shorter time.
An event coming up
Marks can show for days. If you have a wedding or a swim, say so, and we plan around it.
How many visits, and what this does not do
Cupping is usually part of a visit, not a course of its own. Your acupuncturist decides with you whether to add it again, and you can say no at any visit.
What it does not do
Cupping does not remove anything from your body, and it does not replace your doctor's care. We do not promise a result.
When to see a doctor instead
See your doctor or an urgent care clinic 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.