Cupping Therapy

Cupping is a therapeutic technique based on applying negative pressure (suction) to gently manipulate soft tissues in the body, specifically muscles and the connective tissue (Fascia) that surround them. It can be helpful to think of it as a “massage-in-reverse” where suction is used to apply forces of tension, compared to the compression applied in massage and acupressure.

Cupping as a therapeutic modality is very old and has been practiced, and seemingly independently discovered, by disparate groups of people throughout the world. The oldest written account of its therapeutic use comes from a more than 3500 year old treatise on ancient Egyptian medicine known as the “Ebers papyrus”. Other ancient proponents of the practice include famous Greek writers like Hippocrates and Herodotus, the Arabic prophet Muhammad, and of course the classical scholars of Chinese medicine.

Common conditions treated

• Tension headaches
• Lower back pain
• Shoulder and neck pain
• Osteoarthritis (of the knee, hip, shoulder, etc)
• Fibromyalgia
• Sciatica
• Tennis elbow
• Shin splints
• Lymphatic drainage issues
• Pelvic alignment
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Hip tension & pain
• Asthma
• Edema
• Breaking up scar tissue
• If you’re wondering if Cupping and Gua Sha can treat your particular condition

Cupping therapy, when performed by a trained practitioner, generally shouldn’t cause pain, though you might experience mild discomfort or skin tightness during the procedure, and temporary bruising or soreness afterwards

Cupping should not be performed over: burns and other large or recent injuries to the skin, varicose veins or any sensitive major blood vessel (such as those on the inner thigh), and on infected body parts like abscesses. Rashes are usually avoided, although it can be okay for folks with eczema depending on the severity. Cupping over the abdomen is generally avoided because of the small chance of a hernia from excessive suction. Folks with clotting disorders like Deep-vein Thrombosis should avoid cupping unless cleared with their primary care provider.

Folks who are taking blood thinners or who bruise very easily can still try with less suction.

PREGNANCY: Pregnant people can still get cupping, just not on the lower back or abdomen areas. Stiff necks, shoulders, upper backs and limbs are usually fine.

Only one common one: cupping and gua sha marks and/or bruising

After a cupping session there will usually be hickey-style discolouration over the treated areas. Gua sha results in the same markings, though usually in lines or patches, corresponding to treatment. Darker shades of marks are traditionally thought to indicate more “stasis” or impairments in the smooth flow of blood to and from the tissues it nourishes. These marks usually fade in a few days, but may occasionally last up to several weeks.

After any session make sure to keep the area treated with cupping or gua sha covered for the next 24-48 hours. Both of these treatments open the superficial channels and can leave us vulnerable to EPIs.

Depends on the issue and what else you’re doing for it. As a general rule, cupping and gua sha pair well other manual therapies like massage and acupuncture. If cupping or gua sha is the only form of manual therapy employed for your issue, then once a week tends to be optimal. If you’re also receiving acupuncture or other therapies as well, then less frequently is okay and once every 2-3 weeks with your other treatments in between can spread the appointments out as needed to maximize the benefits.

For gentle or low-impact exercise, yes almost always. I have previously had success with an older patient who used cupping as a way to “limber up” before attending an aquafit class later that day. For more strenuous exercise like heavy weightlifting or high-impact sports, it is better to wait at least a day or two after the treatment. This is even more important for those recovering from an injury. Cupping and gua sha, like acupuncture, may relieve pain and lead someone to overexertion too soon causing re-injury. To avoid this: keep it gentle or work out another non-injured part of the body.