Cupping Therapy

What is Cupping?

Cupping like acupuncture, stems from more than 2000 years ago in Chinese medicine. It involves a trained therapist putting cups on the skin, ususally in a place of pain. Often though it is most beneficial if placed on the back.  It has  many purposes, including to help with pain, lymphatic drainage, immune support, inflammation, blood flow, relaxation and well-being, and as a type of deep-tissue massage.

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What to Expect: 

Cupping can be combined with acupuncture, massage or gua sha treatments or it can be a treatment on its own. Acupuncture Qualicum Beach  uses silicone cups, suction cups and or glass cups (Fire Cupping). A small amount of oil may also be used on the skin. There are different types of cupping therapies which may be used depending on your treatment. The cups may be put on for a few seconds or left on for up to 10 minutes, they may also be slid around on the surface of the skin. Cupping is generally a very enjoyable experience, and provides great relief in most cases.

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Side Effects:

There  are not many side effects associated with cupping. There may be cup marks left after the session has occurred. The area can be a bit tender as well after for a day or two. This is normal. Drink lots of water and keep the areas covered for two days. Patients should often feel much relief after a session. Please note these marks can last anywhere from a couple of days up to 2 weeks prior to the session.  

 

Cupping for Athletes:

Thanks to the more recent trend of olympic athletes showing off their cupping marks at the olympics, many athletes enjoy the benefits of cupping alongside their training and recovery programs. This is because Cupping can be used to help decrease an athlete’s recovery time after they have undergone strenuous training.  The fact that cupping can help stimulate the chemical breakdown of any toxins within the body, means that athletes who need their muscles and tissues to heal quickly can expect this to happen when undergoing cupping therapy. 

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A few specific conditions that cupping can address in athletes include plantar fasciitis, hamstring strains, sore muscles and back pain.

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Who should NOT have Cupping Therapy?

• Children. Children under 4 years old shouldn’t receive cupping therapy. Older children should only be treated for very short periods.

• Seniors. Our skin becomes more fragile as we age.

• Pregnant people. Avoid cupping the abdomen and lower back.

• Those who are currently menstruating.